Brandon Duhaime picks up a new hobby and has his Wild teammates calling him a nerd

Brandon Duhaime sat down with Pioneer Press's Dane Mizutani where the Minnesota Wild winger revealed that he had discovered a new hobby during his recovery from an injury sustained in a game against the Winnipeg Jets in November. According to Duhaime, he spent countless hours playing with Legos, which quickly became an obsession.

For a hockey player, routine and structure are crucial to daily life, but injuries disrupt that flow. When Brandon Duhaime suffered an injury during a game in November, he was forced to spend most of his days in rehab, and the boredom and loneliness were unbearable. Duhaime turned to Legos as a way to stay engaged and entertained.

Brandon Duhaime's teammates teased him for his new hobby, calling him a "nerd," but they also appreciated his enthusiasm and positivity.

“It was like 1,000 pieces or something like that. I finished it pretty quick, and I ended up getting obsessed with it,” Duhaime said.

“They call me a nerd,” Duhaime said. “It’s fine.”

Marcus Foligno, Duhaime's teammate, remembers checking in on him during his recovery and finding out he had spent eight hours assembling Legos.

“He’s got a personality that’s infectious,” coach Dean Evason said. “He likes to have fun. He’s always upbeat. He’s a fantastic presence.”

Brandon Duhaime's most significant Lego project to date is the 6,000-piece Hogwarts Castle from Harry Potter, which he completed in four days. However, his most ambitious project was the 8,000-piece Millennium Falcon from Star Wars, which he started at Christmas but had to pause due to his return to the game.

“I ended up finishing it,” Duhaime said. “I don’t know what to do with it now. It takes up a lot of room. We don’t have a ton of space in our apartment, so I’m not sure how my girlfriend feels about it.”

As the playoffs approach, Brandon Duhaime will put aside his Lego projects and focus on the pursuit of the Stanley Cup. However, he plans to resume his hobby during the summer months. His love for Legos has taught him the importance of finding joy and purpose outside of hockey, which can be a vital lesson for all athletes.

Brandon Duhaime: A Valuable Forward for the Wild

Brandon Duhaime has been an impactful forward for the Minnesota Wild during the season, playing in 46 games and amassing 10 points from 9 goals and 1 assist. His efforts have helped his team with a plus-minus rating of 8 and his physical play has also resulted in 40 penalty minutes. Duhaime's 1 shorthanded goal, 3 game-winning goals, and 69 shots with a shooting percentage of 13% have made him a valuable contributor to his team's success.

Throughout his NHL career, Brandon Duhaime has played in 126 games, scoring 15 goals, and 12 assists, totaling 27 points. He has been a physical presence on the ice, with a plus-minus rating of 6 and 162 penalty minutes. Duhaime's 1 shorthanded goal and 1 game-winning goal, along with his 160 shots with a shooting percentage of 9.4%, have demonstrated his scoring ability and value as a player. His dedication and work ethic have made him a player to watch in the NHL.