Then again, there’s an average of 16,000 people in the crowd on any given night in our home arena. I suppose that should have been the tipoff that hockey players can and do reach celebrity status.
“Good to meet you guys. I’m going to ask for a roll call, though I’m not promising to remember anyone’s names. There are a lot more of you than there are of me.”
“Let’s make it more interesting than that,” the guy who greeted me says. “Name, position, favorite team, favorite player. Cool?” He glances back at his teammates. I have a feeling they’re used to this guy. No one argues.
“Cool,” he agrees for everyone and looks back at me. “I’m Alexei. I’m the captain for the Storms, Goalie. My favorite team is the Vegas Crowns and my idol is Azure Dayne.”
I nod. “He’s mine, too.”
Alexei grins.
We go around the group. I manage to remember the first few names after Alexei—Dominic, Jasper, Kareem—but then they become a blur. I also realize that I miscounted. There are twenty-two guys here. I soon learn why.
“Nick,” the last guy says. “I’m not part of the Storms. I play for the high school; I’m Dom’s neighbor and he invited me to tag along. We don’t get these kinds of things being on the high school team. Anyway. Favorite team is Ottawa and I swear I’m not just saying this to suck up, but you’re my favorite player. I’ve followed you since you were first drafted.”
“That’s why I invited him,” Dom says, grinning.
I grin. “That’s sweet. Thanks.”
With a huge smile, Dom shoves Nick playfully.
“All right, I see some of you have packs. What are the rest of you doing about drinks?” I ask. “This is a long day to go without hydration.”
I should be used to people talking over each other, but I don’t know what anyone’s answer is. After a minute, I hold up my hand to get them to stop talking.
“Let’s try this again. Do you all have water?”
“In the car,” one of the guys says. There are many nodding in agreement.
“Go get them and meet us at the trailhead,” I say and drop from the trunk of my SUV. I brought a backpack with a handful of snacks, a protein shake, a three-liter water bladder, a first aid kit, and a bunch of random shit. Just in case. Had it just been me on the hike, I probably wouldn’t have brought so much but I’ve never been in charge of a group of teens before so I’d rather be over prepared than get seven miles from the trailhead and our cars with some kind of emergency that I’m not prepared for.
As soon as we start off, Alexei joins me at the front. I have a feeling he could run circles around us all as we hike up the hill. Goalies are just incredible like that. The fact they movelike gymnasts while in their damn mountain of pads is always remarkable.
“Are you up for trade again?” he asks.
I shrug. “Dunno. I feel like it’s a pattern now, so I half anticipate it.”
“That’s a bummer. You’re like the only player that remained consistent on the team this year,” Alexei says.
I’m not sure how to answer without making it sound like I’m throwing my teammates under the bus, so I don’t. I shrug. “Every team has a different vibe, and it’s a learning experience.” That was neutral, right?
“Is this year different from when you were on the Chicago team the first time?”
I nod. “Much. Two-thirds of the players are new from when I was here last.”
“Doesn’t look like that change worked for Chicago,” someone behind us says.
“I’m sure you understand what it takes to gel well with your teammates,” I comment. “It’s not always immediate and sometimes it just doesn’t happen.”
“We can’t all be the Buffalo trio,” another voice behind me says.
“I can’t believe it’s already been a year since Jakub Bozik retired,” Alexei says, shaking his head. “And three since Deryke Schneider retired.”
It didn’t come as a shock to anyone when they retired. Deryke retired in preparation for his and his husband Max’s baby to be born at the end of the year. Jakub retired as soon as the season was over after his and his husbands’ kid was born. His husbands, also his prior teammates, Ethan Wilder and Credence Ayrton, still play for Buffalo, though there are constant rumors that one or both will retire soon to concentrate on their family. I’ve notseen any credible sources quoting that claim, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
“Are you glad not to have any gay guys on your team?”
Not going to lie. My feet stop all on their own as I turn around to look at who asked the question. Their tone sounded carefully neutral. Since I don’t know these kids, I’m not immediately sure who asked until everyone begins looking at the guy. One of the few whose name I remember—Kareem.
