ST. PAUL, Minn. — For years, Luke Kunin watched as his girlfriend, then fiancée, then wife, Sophia, supported his career.

She was a shoulder to lean on when things got tough in Minnesota. Moved to Nashville when he was traded there. Was a constant during the toughest season of his pro career — last year with the San Jose Sharks, when he tore his ACL.

So Kunin can’t wait to walk into Xcel Energy Center — the arena where he began his NHL career as a Minnesota Wild rookie seven years ago — on Saturday with the shoe on the other foot. The 1 p.m. CDT game will be his first time watching Sophia play at the highest level in person, as she’ll take the ice with Minnesota’s Professional Women’s Hockey League team to face Boston in its regular-season finale ahead of next month’s playoffs.

“I’ll get to see what it’s all about,” Luke said. “I’ve watched her games on the internet all year — as much as I can with our schedule — but I think of all the things she’s sacrificed for me over the years so I can live out my dream. I can’t wait to be there to support her and watch her live her dream.”

Luke and Sophia Kunin’s relationship has helped them come through so much to arrive at this point. Meeting as teenagers. Watching each other excel in hockey….

Joonas Donskoi is retiring from the NHL after seven seasons, he announced via social media Sunday.

“After suffering multiple concussions over my career I’ve decided to retire from professional hockey,” Donskoi said in his statement. “It is extremely hard to let go of something you have put your whole life into, but at this point I know it’s the right decision for my own well being and future.”

Donskoi was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, later making his professional debut during the 2015-16 season. The forward spent his first four years with the Sharks, tallying 283 of his 474 career games, 45 goals and 77 assists.

The 31-year-old then played two years with the Colorado Avalanche and one final season with the Seattle Kraken. Donskoi missed all of last season after suffering his seventh concussion during a Kraken’s preseason game.

“Thank you San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken,” Donskoi said. “It was an honor to be part of these three world class organizations, cities and fanbases. To all my teammates, coaches, trainers, doctors, front offices, and fans: thank you for the best years of my life.”

He  ended his statement saying, “Thank you to my wife, Devin, I don’t know where I’d be without…