“That is the last time they will ever say that about the Knights. I don’t care what happened in the past. We’re looking forward. What worked last season is not going to cut it this year. We’re going to train harder. Faster. Longer. We’re not going to be the laughingstock of the league anymore.”
The lights of the arena reflect off Coach’s glasses, making it hard to see his eyes. But there has to be a fire there. Ready to light the gas under every one of our asses.
Every single person on the ice is eating up his words. This is the passion that was missing from our last coach. This job was a paycheck to him. He didn’t care if we won or lost. He did the bare minimum and called it a day.
Not Coach Andrews. I don’t know if I’ve ever played for a coach that has as much drive as him. I fucking love it.
“Mark my words. The Knights will be in contention for the Stanley Cup in the next four years.”
“Hell yeah!” someone shouts.
“It won’t be easy though. Excuses aren’t going to cut it around here. I want your very best every day. Knights Hockeyis going to become synonymous with grit, hard work, and determination.”
The excitement from all the players is palpable. When Coach Andrews came in last season, it was more cleaning up and trying to make it through the season. Today feels like a fresh start. A new season of possibility.
“We’re going to start practice today working with your line coaches and then run some drills. Like the start of every new season, you’ll be feeling it, so make sure you take care of yourself, alright?”
Coach blows the whistle and dismisses us.
“Seems like Coach Andrews will be good.”
Noah skates over to me, an excited look on his face.
“I think he’ll be great for the Knights,” I tell him.Good? Just good?
I have no idea what the future holds for our team, but I want to one-up the guy now standing in front of me.
Noah knows what it’s like to play for a winning team, having won a few cups with Colorado. He doesn’t get to skate in here and act like everything is going to be the exact same.
“Just got to put in the work like Coach said.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I fire back.
Noah throws his hands up. “Easy, man. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know that we have to put in the work. I’ve been working hard every day since the Knights drafted me.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t.” An uneasy look washes over his face. “All I’m saying is it’s going to take a team effort to get us where Coach says he can take us.”
“And we can do it.”
I skate off, not wanting to exchange any more words with him. Seriously, who does this guy think he is? Is he trying to angle for the captain’s position?
Marcus has had that locked up for the last few years. The only thing that matters to him, outside his daughters, is hockey.
Noah can’t come in here and take the baton from him. Hell no. I won’t let it happen.
The Knights are my team. I’ll protect them with everything I have. I don’t want Noah to come in here and think he owns the place.
No way.
I don’t care how good of a player he is. I’ll be the better player just to prove him wrong.
Just wait and see.
Chapter Two
NOAH
