MightyPuck:I believe in you. Always will.
At a loss for the right words, I send a heart. He matches my response. I spend way too long staring at it, committing it to memory whether it means what I want it to or not.
TWENTY
COLE
April
The roadto Frozen Four has been one of my proudest moments in life. More than my own days on the ice, because watching my guys dominate through the quarter and semifinals to this last game during the championship is thanks to all of the hard work we’ve put in together. I feel part of something profound as their coach.
If they win this, it’s not just their win. It’s everyone’s who is part of Heston U’s hockey program.
It’s down to the third period. We’re ahead by one. There’s still far too much time left. Any wrong move and they could take this from us.
“Come on guys!” I clap for them, glancing at Steve. “How are you so calm?”
His shoulders shake with a laugh. “Years of practice. We’re looking good. They need to keep this pace and not rush it.”
I nod, turning my attention back to the rink. The printout of tonight’s roster is rolled in my hand. It’s falling apart from me taking out my stress on it.
We get two breakaways that don’t result in anything. With minutes left, we’re watching our boys fight the pressure while making sure the other team doesn’t score.
“Don’t rush! Keep it loose!” David yells.
One of the opponent’s forwards has the puck deep in our zone and Brody’s the one to stop their play.
He passes to his linemate, then Higgins sends the puck to Keller. He has impressive speed as he and Boucher tear up the ice ahead of our center. Even with their agility, Alex’s pass to Theo is almost intercepted. Their defense gets a piece of it, but Theo controls it beautifully, getting around him with the evasive moves I taught him.
“That’s how it’s done!” I call.
Adrenaline courses through my veins as the puck flies across the ice to Keller. He charges toward the net and rips the puck into the crease. The goalie misses it.
Our entire bench is on their feet screaming. Theo collides with Alex, then two more Heston players in an emotional celly.
At the final horn moments later, our bench spills on the ice to surround their teammates. David and Steve are clapping. I feel like I’m underwater, then all the sound rushes in at once.
The arena is deafening and confetti falls from the rafters. A huddle of our guys hugging and celebrating shows on the jumbotron.
Holy shit, they did it. We won Frozen Four. Their season has ended with a huge success.
And my time with them has run out. The elation making me weightless fizzles, dragging me back to the harsh reality I’ve been avoiding.
Still stunned, I turn to shake David and Steve’s hands. “Congratulations. They’re unbelievable. I’m glad—honored, really—that I got to be part of it for a little while.”
David laughs, exchanging a look with Steve. “Congratulate yourself. This is your win, too. You did good work, coach.”
“Right. I learned a lot. Thanks for giving me a chance.”
An uncomfortable laugh sticks in my throat. I wanted to talk to him about the possibility of staying, but it kept getting pushed off after playoffs to strategize for the championship tournament. I’ll continue on as a coach, but it wouldn’t be with this team, where I want to be. This was always supposed to be temporary from the beginning.
“Good. I expect the same next season,” David says.
I don’t follow. The confusion must be obvious because he chuckles and slaps my shoulder.
“Son, the trial period is over. The position is yours to keep if you’re willing to stay on.”
Static makes my mind blank while my brain struggles to process. I open and close my mouth, waiting for them to gosike.
