His eyes met mine briefly before he looked at the folders. “You need to go where you’ll grow most, not where you’ll be most comfortable. Sometimes, the harder path is the right one. Consider which organization will push you to be better, not just as a player but as a person.”
Classic Nils: saying everything and nothing at once. But I heard the subtext.Don’t choose based on staying close. Choose based on what’s best for your career.
Finally, I turned to my dad. He’d been quiet, studying the papers like they held secrets he could decode through sheer will. “Buffalo means we could watch you play. Your mother and I… We could see our son live his dream. Not on TV, not on highlights, but there in person.”
The weight of those words hit me like a check into the boards. All those years of them missing tournaments because of work, watching grainy streams on their phones during breaks, celebrating my goals hours after they happened.
“Dad,” I said, my throat suddenly tight. “You’ve worked double shifts my whole life for this. Mom cleaned houses until her hands were raw. You gave up vacations, new cars, everything so I could have this chance.”
“We did it because we love you, Puck. Because we could see you had not only talent, but the drive to make it.”
“I know. But now it’s my turn.” I took a breath. “When I sign—whichever team I choose—you’re both retiring.”
His eyes widened. “Adan?—”
“You’ve sacrificed enough. Fifteen years of extra shifts, of missed dinners, of putting your dreams aside for mine. When this contract kicks in, you’re done. Both of you.”
“We can’t?—”
“You can and you will. Let me take care of you now. Please. It’s the least I can do for everything you’ve given me.”
My dad’s eyes grew wet, this strong man who’d built his life with his hands and never complained about the cost. He pulled me into a fierce hug, whispering broken sentences about pride and love and how I’d always been worth every sacrifice.
When we separated, Coach Brennan was discreetly checking his phone, giving us privacy, and Floyd had done the same thing. Nils was watching with soft eyes, understanding the weight of this moment between father and son.
“Okay,” I said, voice steadier now. “Let me walk through my thinking.” I touched each folder in turn. “Buffalo would be safe. Comfortable. Stay close to home, familiar territory. But maybe too comfortable. Maybe I need to be pushed outside my comfort zone.”
Nils hummed in agreement.
“Minnesota is intriguing. Young team, fresh energy. But something doesn’t feel right. Can’t explain it better than that, but it’s…” I shrugged. “It’s not the right place for me.”
“Always trust your gut,” Floyd said. “It may pick up on something your conscious brain doesn’t.”
Finally, Detroit. “McLaughlin was the first. Before the other scouts started circling, before the media attention, before anyone else thought I was worth their time, he saw something in me. That kind of faith, that means something.” I looked around the table. “He believed in me when I was nothing but potential, when I hadn’t proven myself yet. That deserves faith in return.” Another deep breath, and then the weight dropped off my shoulders, knowing I was making the right choice. “I wanna play for Detroit.”
Coach Brennan slid the conference-room phone across the table. “Then make the call.”
My hands shook slightly as I dialed the number McLaughlin had given me. It rang twice before his familiar voice answered.
“Joe McLaughlin.”
“Mr. McLaughlin? It’s Adan Rivera.”
“Adan! Good to hear from you. How are you feeling about that offer we made?”
I took a breath. “I’d like to formally accept your offer to join the Detroit Red Wings organization.”
The excitement in his voice was immediate. “That’s fantastic news! Welcome to the Red Wings family, son. We’re thrilled to have you.”
“Thank you for believing in me.”
“Thank you for proving me right. Listen, we’ll want to get you and your parents out here for the signing. PR wants to do it right with a press conference, jersey ceremony, the whole thing. That work for you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Perfect. We’ll probably want to do it tomorrow, but our PR coordinator will call with all the details. Private jet from Buffalo, so bring your folks and anyone else you want there. This is a big moment—celebrate it.”
“I will. Thank you again.”
