Marco Rossi: “I knew it would happen!”

Marco, after the end of the season and the 2023 World Championship, you worked intensively on yourself. How much muscle mass did you add before the start of the new season?
Marco Rossi: “That was around six to seven kilos.”

To stay focused, you also need to take some time out now and then. Do you have any favourite places in St. Paul?
Marco Rossi: “I go to La Grolla very often. It’s an Italian restaurant with very good, authentic Italian food. Or Cossetta, also an Italian spot. I go to those two places very often.”

Nutrition is generally a key topic for elite athletes. Do you cook for yourself, and do you follow a clear nutrition plan?
Marco Rossi: “I’ve been learning to cook for two and a half years because my girlfriend goes to culinary school. She loves cooking, cooks very well and mainly prepares our food too. But she taught me so that I know how to do it if she’s not around.”

Do you sometimes indulge and treat yourself to a burger, spare ribs or something similar?
Marco Rossi: “Yes. Of course, I pay very close attention to my diet. But we burn so much that it’s good to treat yourself to a burger or pizza from time to time.”

You scored your first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in mid-October. You currently have six goals and four assists – how do you feel?
Marco Rossi: “Very good. I waited a long time, but the summer was very good for me. I knew it would happen and I’m just going to keep trying.”

If the World Championship started tomorrow, what would you bring to the team? What advice would you offer in the dressing room?
Marco Rossi: “The most important thing is always that we stay up. That comes first. Of course, we set ourselves goals. Against opponents on our level, we want to make a clear statement with a win wherever possible. Against the big nations, of course you can say it would be great to win, but you have to be realistic. You have to make the most of it and enjoy games against such opponents, because not many players get to play against superstars from Canada, the USA or other top nations. You should take as much as possible from it and see what they do and how they play. But you have to be realistic.”

What role do you play for Minnesota and what is the next objective?
Marco Rossi: “Personally, to keep going, keep scoring goals, stay hungry, get points and help the team that way. As a team, we need to get back to winning ways. We’ve lost often recently, it’s not fun and it affects the mood. When you win, everything is different – training, the mood. That’s why we want to get back to winning ways.”

Marco Rossi profile on NHL.com