“It’s my business to understand the challenges facing elite athletes. Physical talent is only part of what determines success at your level.” The server refills my wine glass. “The rest happens off the ice. Support systems, financial security, freedom from external distractions.”
“And your consulting firm addresses those things?” I lift an eyebrow. “How?”
“We provide comprehensive support for athletes whose careers have been impacted by factors beyond their control.” He reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a leather portfolio. “We work with players across multiple sports. Professional athletes who’ve found themselves in situations where traditional coaching and sports psychology aren’t sufficient.”
He slides a photograph across the table. It shows him with a baseball player I recognize, some all-star shortstop who went through a hitting slump a few years back before returning to stardom.
“This is just one example. Jack Taylor of the Cleveland Guardians. He’d been struggling for eight months when we began working together,” Petrov explains. “His batting average dropped from .312 to .228, he was making constant errors in the field, and experienced problems with focus and confidence. Sound familiar?”
“What did you do for him?”
“We addressed the external factors that were affecting his performance. Financial pressures, family issues, distractions that were preventing him from focusing on his game.” Petrov taps the photo. “Within three months, he was back to all-star form. Within six months, he’d signed the largest contract in his team’s history.”
“Yeah, but how? Because it all sounds like fluffy bullshit,” I say.
Petrov smiles. “I’m sure you don’t expect me to divulge our specific tactics without first becoming a client. But, to give you some clarity, we are successful by understanding that elite athletic performance exists within a complex ecosystem. Change the ecosystem, and you change the performance.” Petrov puts the photo away. “Traditional coaching focuses on technique and mental preparation. We focus on other methods, interventions,conversations, strategies. Everything designed to relieve the non-hockey pressures.”
The server appears with our appetizers, and I take a bite while trying to work out what Petrov is telling me.
“Your situation is more complex than Taylor’s, of course. Goalies face unique psychological challenges given that so much rests on your shoulders, and your recent struggles have created a number of secondary issues.”
“Such as?”
“Media scrutiny. Questions about your future with the team. Coaching changes that may or may not be in your best interests.” Petrov’s voice drops. “Personal relationships that complicate your professional focus.”
There it is again. Personal relationships. He definitely knows something about me and Zane.
“What makes you think I have relationship issues?”
“I make it my business to understand all factors affecting my potential clients. Not to judge or exploit, but to offer comprehensive solutions.” Petrov cuts into his appetizer. “Professional athletes often find themselves in situations where personal and professional boundaries become blurred. It’s more common than you might think.”
I’m about to ask what the hell that means when I spot them across the dining room.
Coach Enver, Frank Kowalski, the GM…and Zane. My heart stutters to a stop. They’re leaning in close, having what looks like a serious conversation.
My stomach knots.
They’re talking about me. They have to be. Why else would they look so serious, so focused on whatever documents are spread across their table? They’re evaluating me against Parker, I’d bet my left nut on that. I swallow hard and guzzle some more wine.
“I see you’ve noticed your coaching staff,” Petrov says, following my gaze.
“Yeah,” I say.
“Unfortunate timing. Nothing quite like discovering that important conversations about your future are happening without you.”
“You think that’s what this is?” I look at him, my eyes wide. I didn’t really want to believe it but if Petrov sees it, too, I must not be too off-base with my assumption.
“What else would it be? Your head coach, your assistant coaches, and the general manager of the Raptors.” Petrov is quiet for a second. “I’m sorry to be telling you this, but in my experience, when coaches and executives have dinner meetings during the season, they’re usually discussing personnel decisions.”
Personnel decisions. Like whether to keep giving me chances or move on to someone younger, cheaper, less complicated. Like fucking Liam Parker.
At that moment, Zane looks up from his plate and with a quick twist of his head, his gaze lands squarely on my face.
I freeze. Everything else fades away. He looks... guilty. Panicked. Like he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t.
I hold his gaze for a few seconds, narrowing my eyes, letting him see exactly how I feel about this bullshit. Then I turn to Petrov, who’s been watching the entire exchange with obvious interest.
“Seems tense between you two,” he observes.
