In a press conference following practice, Rangers center Vincent Trocheck spoke about his upcoming matchup against his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes, in the second round of the playoffs. Despite the significance of facing his former teammates, Trocheck chose to view it as just another series, focusing on the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

Since signing with the Rangers in 2022, Trocheck has become an integral part of the team, excelling in various roles. He centers one of their key lines in five-on-five situations, contributes significantly on the power play, and is a key player on the penalty kill. Trocheck's consistency is reflected in his attendance, as he has played in all 164 regular-season games during his two-year stint with the Rangers.

The decision to leave Carolina and join the Rangers after the 2022 season seemed to pay off for Trocheck. He signed a lucrative seven-year, $39.375 million contract, and his departure from the Hurricanes was made more memorable by the Rangers defeating them in a seven-game series, eliminating them from the playoffs.

Trocheck's performance during the regular season has been exceptional, achieving career-high numbers in goals (25), assists (52), and points (77). He also averaged a career-high 21.27 minutes of ice time per game and displayed his defensive prowess with a career-high 86 blocked shots. The playoffs have been no different for Trocheck, who has already contributed three goals and three assists in the Rangers' four-game sweep of the Washington Capitals. In addition, he won an impressive 72 percent of his faceoffs in the first-round series.

Although Trocheck has yet to score a goal against his former team in the six games they have played since his move to the Rangers, he remains unfazed by the personal connection. He stated that playing against former teams is not new in the NHL and emphasized the necessity of moving on and focusing on the task at hand.

Despite his nonchalant approach, Trocheck maintains relationships with several of his former Carolina teammates, describing them as "very good friends" and "close friends." When pressed to reveal which players he is closest to, Trocheck chose to keep it private, saying it's a personal matter between them.

The upcoming series between the Rangers and Hurricanes holds personal connections beyond Trocheck's former team. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette previously coached in Carolina, leading the Hurricanes to their only Stanley Cup victory in the 2005-06 season. The current coach of the Hurricanes, Rod Brind'Amour, was the captain of Laviolette's championship-winning team and has been with the Hurricanes for six seasons.

Trocheck remarked on the similarities between Laviolette and Brind'Amour, stating that they both have a similar approach to the game and prioritize the family aspect of the team. Laviolette commended Brind'Amour's coaching abilities and acknowledged the positive trajectory the Hurricanes have had under his leadership, winning the Metropolitan Division twice in the past three seasons.

As the Rangers gear up to face the Hurricanes in the second round, Trocheck remains focused on the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. Despite the personal connections and history surrounding the series, he maintains a professional mindset and will continue to contribute to the Rangers' success on the ice.