DETROIT >> Goaltender John Gibson was in Cabo for a charity event Saturday when he heard the news he was traded to the Red Wings.

It was interesting timing, for sure, but news that Gibson welcomed after being part of the Anaheim Ducks for over a decade.

“Very exciting,” Gibson said during a Zoom call Tuesday with Detroit media. “Being in one place for a long time, there’s a lot of close friendships inside and outside the organization, but we’re really excited for the next chapter. I still feel like I have a lot left to prove and I’m excited to get the season going and playing, and hopefully we can get Detroit in the playoffs.”

Since returning from Cabo, and settling into his offseason home in his native Pittsburgh, the trade has settled in for Gibson.

“Being away and all that and being in a whirlwind and kind of coming home and explaining it to our kids, it’s now more exciting,” he said. “It’s starting to soak in than when it originally happened.”

Gibson was acquired for goaltender Petr Mrazek and two future draft picks (a 2026 second-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder).

Gibson spoke with general manager Steve Yzerman on Tuesday morning after playing phone tag the last several days. He also talked with captain Dylan Larkin, forward Andrew Copp and goaltender Cam Talbot, among others.

Having been part of the USA National Team Development Program, based in Plymouth Township, early in his career gave Gibson a good handle on the Metro Detroit area. He’s been coached by Wings coach Todd McLellan during the World Cup of Hockey, and assistant coach Trent Yawney was an assistant in Anaheim for years when Gibson was there, so there’s familiarity.

“He (McLellan) has been around and coached for a while in the Pacific Division. Playing against him, any time we were going against one of his teams, they were well coached and structured, disciplined. He kind of holds his standards and principles and you just go,” Gibson said. “I had a lot of experience with Trent Yawney. I’ve kind of grew up with him. He was my first coach in Norfolk (AHL) and had him a few years in Anaheim. Some familiar faces, which definitely helps the transition.

“I kind of played under Todd for a little bit. I know Trent Yawney and how the defensive structure is. I don’t know if it’ll be a ton (of adjustment). It’s all kind of fresh and new but hopefully not too much.”

The emergence of Lukas Dostal in Anaheim the past couple seasons made Gibson’s name a regular appearance on trade boards. With injuries and illness also hampering Gibson, 31, last season, he was limited to 29 games with an 11-11-2 record, a 2.77 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

Gibson — who has two more years on his contract, with a $6.4 million annual average value — is looking forward to showing the NHL he’s still a premier goaltender.

“It’s a new chapter, a fresh start,” Gibson said. “I’m excited to prove myself. It’s an exciting opportunity, a team and organization that really wants to get back to playoff hockey. They’ve been so close for a couple years, and for me coming in and being part of it, it’s a historic franchise. It’s a privilege and honor to be part of it all.

“They’re right there.”

General manager Steve Yzerman was pleased Saturday to add Gibson and upgrade the Wings’ goaltending.

“John has historically, throughout his career, been a good goaltender,” Yzerman said. “Anaheim went through a rebuilding process and they are coming out of that. We’re sitting here today, banking on John has battled through that and will be able to maintain a high level. We like to think we’re a reasonably solid team that is moving forward, and that he’ll be fine in this role.

“We just think he’s a good goaltender and the best option for us right now. We’re hopeful and expecting him to perform at a high level next year.”

Gibson has been a goaltender who regularly plays at least 40 games per season and is optimistic he can do that in Detroit.

“Everybody’s body is different throughout the season. You’re going to have unforeseen challenges and bumps and bruises here and there, but I’m just trying to put myself in the best position possible with training and conditioning to be ready for the season, and be healthy as I can be,” he said.

Being from Pittsburgh, Gibson was a teenager when the Wings and Penguins met in consecutive years in 2008-09 in the Stanley Cup Final, both winning one, and relishes the memories.

“I remember those battles. Obviously remember growing up in Pittsburgh and (goaltender Marc-Andre) Fleury’s (game-saving) save, so I remember the good and bad from both of them,” Gibson said.