Minnesota Wild Defenseman Jordan Leopold couldn't be with his 11-year-old daughter Jordyn in Las Vegas Wednesday night when she was awarded the 2015 National Hockey League Social Media Moment of the Year award.

Instead, he was signing autographs across northern Minnesota as part of the 2015 Minnesota Wild Road Tour.

"We really didn't find out about it until she was invited to the banquet," said Leopold before signing autographs for hundreds of fans Thursday morning at the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her. It's humbling and it's a story that hit a lot of hearts."

Earlier this year, Jordyn handwrote a letter to Minnesota Wild coaches asking that the Wild obtain her father from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Her father was raised in Golden Valley, Minnesota and was a University of Minnesota standout

While Leopold played in Columbus, his family still lived in Minnesota.

"My dad is very lonly without his family," she wrote. "We are living in Minnesota right now and I am lost without my dad, and so is my mom, my 2 sisters, and my brotherhellip; Well, to get to the point the Wild have not been winning games and you lovly coaches are most likely mad about that but your teams needs more D men so can you please, please, please ask the Jackets if you guys can get him?"

A trade for Leopold between the Blue Jackets and Wild had already been completed when Jordyn's letter went viral.

Her letter became an international feel-good story.

Leopold's wife Jamie and Jordyn's maternal grandparents accompanied Jordyn to the MGM Grand Resort Las Vegas, where the NHL handed out its most prestigious individual awards.

In addition to receiving her social media award, Jordyn assisted NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in handing out the General Manager of the Year award to Tampa Bay General Manager Steve Yzerman.

Jordan Leopold, along with defenseman Matt Dumba and former player turned commentator Wes Walz, signed autographs and posed for photographs Thursday at stops in Grand Rapids, Eveleth, and Duluth.

During the northern Minnesota tour, they also made stops at Roseau, Crookston, and Bemidji.

Leopold said he remembers playing in youth hockey games on the Iron Range.

"We used to get our butts kicked up her all the time," said Leopold. "Especially by Virginia."

The strong tradition of hockey on the Iron Range is something he remembers well, said Leopold.

"There's a lot of history here," said Leopold. "I remember watching Doug Palazzari when I was a kid and here he is, the (executive) director of the hall of fame."

For Dumba, it was his first visit to the Iron Range.

"I know they have the big stick and the Hockey Hall of Fame here," said Dumba, a native of Calgary. "As we're going on, I'm learning more about hockey up here. It's been awesome to see the smiles on the kids' faces in these small towns."

Leopold, a free agent this year, said he hopes to continue playing with the Wild.

"In my heart, I hope to stay at home," said Leopold. "Last year, it went well and I was able to play on a regular basis. Going forward, I will do whatever I am asked to do."

Though the autograph session at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame started at 11:30 a.m. Jared Haugen of Eveleth and his children Landon and Kiyrah, were in line at exactly 9:38 a.m., according to eight-year-old Landon.

"I like Leopold," said Landon, wearing a Minnesota Wild cap.

Why?

"Just because he's good."