ST. PAUL  — Interviewing for the same job twice in as many years is a rare occurrence in any profession, yet there was Bill Guerin going to Minnesota once again this summer as a candidate for the general manager vacancy.

As the Wild delved deeper this time, burned by their previous pick, Guerin kept emerging from the vetting as their best choice. The obvious hope from both sides was that this unexpected second chance will serve as the genesis of an eventual championship.

“I knew more what to expect. I was always comfortable,” Guerin said. “The interview part was enjoyable because of the questions they asked. The whole process, I enjoyed it. The hard part was waiting.”

When Wild owner Craig Leipold phoned Guerin at home earlier this week, ready to offer him the position, he was first checking to simply find out if he would be available for a call about 3½ hours later. The delay was agonizing, as Guerin told his wife and daughter that day.

“I said, ‘I’m more nervous now than I was before Game 7 against Detroit in ‘09,’” said Guerin, who had an 18-year career in the NHL as a player.