Andy wasn’t done dropping bombshells yet. “The second piece of news is that we’ve decided to make some changes inour coaching staff.” I held my breath and Andy looked right at me, his expression serious. “Management has made the difficult decision to release Coach Dillion.”
“Holy shit,” Jay whispered next to me. There was even more muttering at this news, and it seemed equally split between bewilderment and relief.
“Will we have an interim coach?” Conway asked, scowling. He was one of the Atlanta holdovers who was close to both Ryan Cane and Coach Dillion. He didn’t look at all pleased with the day’s developments.
Olsen shot him an irritated look for interrupting, but Andy didn’t award him a second of attention. He merely continued as if he hadn’t heard him.
“This move might seem out of left field for some members of the hockey community. Your former coach had a long career with many achievements, including two Stanley Cups. But sometimes change is both necessary and desirable.”
He looked around the room, appraising us. “Your new coach comes to us from a successful college program up north. He hasn’t coached at the NHL level yet, but I have every confidence that he’s exactly the right fit for this team.” He allowed a rare smile. “After all, this team is young and untested. I believe a fresh face is exactly what we need to break out of this slump and start making some progress.”
Again, he caught my eye and I could see the smirk buried under his neutral facade. “Additionally, your new coach is someone that I have personally played for. I can tell you without reservation that he’s both tough and fair. He’s one of the most competitive individuals I’ve ever met and I have every confidence he can whip you all into shape.”
He gestured towards the door. “I’d like to introduce head coach Levi Newton.”
My mouth dropped open. Holyshit. I knew that name well. Like Andy, I had skated for him for years. Sure enough the door opened and our old high school coach walked through.
Newton and I texted fairly regularly, but I hadn’t seen the man in person in a few years. We used to catch up whenever I came home to Minnesota but a few years ago he’d moved up to an assistant coaching job at a small college in Wisconsin and had since taken a head coach position at a division one school in New Hampshire.
Other than a bit more salt and pepper in his hair than the last time I saw him, Newton looked almost exactly the same. Youthful and intense with a spark in his eyes that indicated he still found this game to be a hell of a lot of fun.
And now he was going to lead our team. I had never been more shocked by a staffing decision in my life.
“He doesn’t look much older than us,” Jay pointed out. “The media is going to have a field day with this.”
I knew what he meant. This was only going to confirm to our doubters that our management didn’t know what they were doing. To hire a man who had never coached at the professional level to lead an NHL team wasn’t exactly common.
At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of optimism. Maybe Andrew was right. Maybe we did need someone fresh. Coach Dillion had certainly had a hell of a lot of experience in the league, and that hadn’t done us any good.
At the front of the room, Andy was shaking hands with Newton, both of them looking confident. Our new coach turned to the room of clearly shocked players and grinned. “I’m excited to get out on the ice and see how you all play,” he said. “You should know that I reward solid, smart effort. You play hard and show me a good attitude and you’re going to get ice time, it’s as simple as that.” He nodded to us once, then clapped his hands. “So, let’s get our asses out on that ice and play some hockey.”
A loud hum of chatter broke out in the room as Newton turned back to Andy and the GM. I was still too stunned to do much more than stand there and gape.
“You okay?” Jay finally asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I played for him. In high school.”
Jay’s eyebrows went up as he looked from me to the group still huddled at the front of the room. “Shit, man. Is he any good?”
“He’s the best coach I’ve ever played for,” I said honestly. “That man taught me just about everything I know about hockey.” As the words left my mouth, Newton turned and saw me. He gave me a quick smile and a nod before he followed Andy and the GM out the door.
“Man.” Jay shook his head. “It sure seems to me that our owner is bending over backwards to make you happy. Naming you captain, getting rid of the guy you punched out. Bringing on your favorite coach.” He shoved my shoulder. “Maybe he doesn’t hate you as much as you thought.”
“Maybe,” I muttered, brain spinning.
When I followed the rest of the guys out of the locker room, Andy stopped me in the hallway. “Over here a minute, Captain,” he said. He was standing next to Newton, who grinned at me as I approached.
“You should have seen your face, O’Conner,” he said, laughing.
“You shocked the hell out of me, sir.”
He slapped my back, still grinning ear to ear. “I’m glad to see you boys have learned how to get along,” he said, looking between me and Andy. “I assume I won’t be breaking up any fights between the two of you any time soon?”
Andy met my gaze, eyebrows raised. “I hope not,” I said. “He signs my checks.”
Coach laughed and Andy just smirked, like usual. “Well, I’m excited to be here,” Newton continued. “I know we have our work cut out for us, but I think we can do big things.”
“That’s the plan,” Andy said.
