“Is the press conference still happening?” I ask, breaking the silence.
“Yes. After the meeting, it’ll be you, Mr. Montrose, and Coach Bayliss. Natalie’s briefing them now. Sunglasses can stay on if you prefer them. There are no questions, only you talking.”
“What if someone asks about the surgery anyway?”
“I shut it down. Your focus should be on getting through today without too much hassle.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand once. “I’ll be there for you.”
“Thanks, Em.” The words feel small compared to what she’s doing for me—standing between me and the wolves, steady when my legs are shaking and barely holding me up.
At the arena, the car slows and when it stops, Em steps out. She opens my door, and I swing my legs out slowly, cane in hand.
“This way,” she says.
I reach for her arm, finding her elbow, and let her pace guide mine. We take the elevator up together, the tension growing tighter in my shoulders with each passing floor. Like I’m winding up for a game I’ll never play.
“You ready?” Em asks when the doors open.
No. Not even close. But I nod anyway. She opens the door, and I walk in. Based on who I know is coming, it’s a full house today.
Chandler Montrose, the GM, is the first to speak. “Teddy. Good to see you.” His voice is the same polished granite it’s always been, impossible to read.
“To your left,” Em murmurs, and I follow her toward an empty chair.
Coach Bayliss mutters something that lands somewhere between a grunt and a groan.
“Dr. Moxham is here,” Em adds under her breath, mentioning the team doctor.
I sit slowly, counting the figures in my mind. Me. Em. Chandler Montrose. Coach Bayliss. Dr. Leona Moxham. Camilla Undergrove from Player Development. Natalie Kessler from PR. I feel their eyes on me, watching my every move.
Natalie’s familiar voice cuts through the quiet, clipped and clear. “Before we begin, I want to express how relieved we all are to see you. We’ve been rooting for you, Teddy.”
I tilt my head slightly her way, hiding my nerves. “Thanks. It’s good to be here.”
“Your medical privacy is still intact. The team’s official statements have stayed within the parameters we discussed with your agent. Any public health details moving forward are entirely your decision,” Dr. Moxham says.
“Excellent. We don’t need to share any information that might be used against Teddy and his recovery. We’ve had enough narratives forced on us these past months,” Em says, exactly as I’ve been thinking to myself. “This one stays in our hands.”
Mr. Montrose clears his throat. “Let’s get to it, then. Teddy, this meeting is yours. We’ve prepared a timeline for any public announcements and contract options if you choose to remain on long-term IR for the rest of the season. There’s space for you.”
Being on the injured reserve list would be the best option if I could play again. Unfortunately, my situation is more complicated. “There’s no reevaluating my decision,” I tell the room. “I’m no longer playing.”
Someone exhales sharply through their nose. I can practically hear the muscles in Coach’s jaw clenching all the way from here.
“I won’t be a part of the roster again,” I continue, my palms clammy against my thighs, nails biting into the fabric of my jeans. “Not next month. Not next season. Not anytime in the future. I’m done.”
The following silence lands like a puck against plexiglass. I can only imagine them exchanging worried glances.
“There’s no pressure, Teddy. We’re with you, whatever the timeline is, we know you’ve been through hell.” Camilla breaks the silence, and I appreciate her words, even if they don’t change a thing.
“Let’s not call it hell, even if it surely fits at times,” I correct softly, offering her a small smile. “I’ve been trying my best to use more neutral language while discussing my recovery lately.”
“So it’s official? You’re choosing to retire?” Mr. Montrose’s voice is sharp and it grates against my skin.
I nod once. “Yes. I’m hanging up my skates.”
For a moment, I can’t breathe. I thought I’d feel relief, but all I feel is the hollow echo of a door slamming shut on the only life I ever knew.
“Before you make this final, I want to be sure you’ve considered all your options. We’re not just talking about IR or waiting out the season. We could petition for a medical exemption, bring you back in a leadership role,” Camilla says. “Even if you’re not on the ice, you could be part of the training staff or the strategy team. I’m sure we can find you a role within the organization.”
