The center will be the first player in Wild history to receive the honor. The No. 1 was retired for the fans prior to Minnesota's first NHL game Oct. 11, 2000.
"You feel that it's building up, it's getting closer and closer," Koivu said Wednesday. "Family and friends are coming in town, so it's starting to build up for myself as well. I'm very humbled.
"I think it's natural looking back on what's happened and how fast it all went. I think the people around me that I had a chance to be with, trainers, coaches, players, the fans, I think even last night being at the game (a 5-2 win against the New York Rangers) and just looking at the environment … and the fan base. You just appreciate everything I've been able to experience here."
Koivu, who was selected by Minnesota with the No. 6 pick in the 2001 NHL Draft, became the first player in Wild history to play 1,000 regular-season games on Dec. 1, 2019, and is their leader in points (709), assists (504) and regular-season games (1,028). His 205 goals are second behind Marian Gaborik (219).
He was named the Wild's first captain at the start of 2009-10 season, after they used alternates for their first eight seasons, and remained so until 2020.
"Just watching him every day and how he conducted himself, I learned a lot," Minnesota center Joel Eriksson Ek said. "He just carried himself like a professional and was such a leader in our room for so long."
Koivu, who turns 39 on Saturday, retired from the NHL last season after playing all but seven of his 1,035 regular-season games with the Wild during his 16 NHL seasons.
Koivu initially considered retirement following the 2019-20 season when the Wild decided to not re-sign him, but he signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored two points (one goal, one assist) for them before retiring on Feb. 9, 2021.
"I mean, it's tremendous honor and I'm so proud of him," Florida Panthers coach and former teammate Andrew Brunette said. "He had a such a long career here in the State of Hockey, and he kind of epitomizes what the Minnesota Wild are and how they play and how they conduct their business. He's the face of the franchise for so long, so it's nice to see him. It's nice to see a number up there."
Koivu said his number retirement carries a different weight of emotions than his career retirement. His oldest son, Kasper, is also trying to understand what it all means.
"My 6-year-old asked me, like, 'So when I play for the Wild, I can't wear No. 9?'" Koivu said. "I think [my kids] understand a little bit about it, but not all of it, obviously. I don't think, even for me and my friends, I don't think we realize how big of a moment it's going to be. I'm excited for that as well."
Kasper will be on hand for the ceremony along with Koivu's two other children, Sofie, 5, and Oskar, 3, his parents, his brother, Saku Koivu, who played 18 NHL seasons, and more than 20 former teammates.
"Mikko has meant so much for the State of Hockey," said Predators forward Mikael Granlund, Koivu's teammate for seven seasons. "He's been the franchise guy there for so long, and the things he's done on the ice and outside of the rink, it's incredible.
"He's been the leader of the team for so long there. I have so much respect for him. The way he does things, the way he brings people together and expects people to play at their best every single game, it's unique, and I'm so happy I had a chance to play with him and be a friend with him."
Although Koivu said it's hard to imagine now, he knows his night is coming.
"I think as a hockey player, you do realize how big of an honor it is, and how much it means not just to myself, but for my kids, and I think for my parents," Koivu said. "They've been there since you grew up. My mom especially, like as a kid [the things] that I did or how stubborn I was, or the funny things that I didn't picture, that here we are on Sunday and getting the jersey up in the rafters.
"So I think that kind of where it gets to like, yeah, you don't really believe what's happening and it's hard to imagine."
