FRESH STARTS
NASH
Imet Coach Harrison once before the Cove Knights eliminated my former team from last year’s playoffs.
By then my transfer from Hemlock Beach to Star Cove had already gone through, so I don’t bear a grudge for that particular defeat.
The Cove Knights went ahead to win the Frozen Four tournament, and I felt a perverse sense of satisfaction when I saw the defeated look on my teammates’ faces.
Fuck ‘em.
Fuck them all. I actually blame my teammates for treating me like a pariah more than Coach Hiddink for benching me. The potential scandal could have destroyed my career, and I missed most of my junior year season.
As I walk into Coach Harrison’s office, I notice how everything here in Star Cove looks more polished. Hemlock Beach is a good school, but I guess Ivy League money brings everything to another level.
“Take a seat next to Tucker, son. And welcome to Star Cove,” Coach Harrison says with a smile that has the effect of making him look scarier than before.
The Cove Knight’s coach is known for being strict but fair. I don’t care. I can follow the rules as long as I get a chance to play. And with two of his starting defensemen graduating this summer, there’s a spot with my name on my new team.
“Hey man,” I nod in greeting. “You played one hell of a game in the Frozen Four final. Shutting out Yale is no small feat.”
Tucker Prescott smiles. “Thanks, man. Too bad you didn’t get to play in the semifinal, are you ok now?”
With no official reason given for my long stint on the bench, one of the theories that has been circulating is that I was injured. Coach Harrison knows the truth, and that’s all that matters to me. I need a fresh start here, and there’s no reason for my new teammates to know why things didn’t work out for me in Hemlock Beach.
Coach called Prescott my teammate, and that surprised me. If I recall correctly, Tucker was a senior. Shouldn’t he be graduating with half the Cove Knights’ starting line? The only two players in the starting lineup that won the national championship and aren’t graduating are Macklin Shayba and Colsen Thomas, who were respectively a sophomore and a junior.
“There are a few new things this year for our team.” Coach Harrison offers once I lower myself into the seat next to Prescott. “As you might know, Star Cove has many alumni who became prominent figures in many fields including hockey. There is our current mayor, Scott Hunter, who I’m sure doesn’t need an introduction.”
At the risk of sounding like a lame fanboy, I share my excitement. “Hunter was my favorite player growing up, Coach. I heard that sometimes he comes to the Knights’ home games.”
Coach nods. “He does. One of his sons, Chance Hunter, is on the team. He was a freshman this season, and he’s one of the most promising right wingers I’ve coached so far.”
“I’m excited to meet him.” I say. “Was there anything you wanted to discuss with me, Coach? Why did you want to see me?”
Coach Harrison looks slightly uncomfortable for a moment. He looks from me to Tucker before sighing. “I’m meeting with everyone today and tomorrow because there is some news that involves the whole team.”
“What else could go wrong now? Are they expecting us to play in sparkling leotards?” Prescott says under his breath.
I don’t know Coach Harrison yet; I’ve only met him once in the spring before deciding to transfer to Star Cove. He was polite and professional, but his fame of being a very strict coach precedes him, and his demeanor did nothing to change that first impression.
I brace myself for his reaction to Prescott’s comment.
“Be careful of what you put out in the universe, son,” Coach says with an eye roll to my surprise.
My gaze meets Prescott’s for a split second, and it’s obvious that he’s just as surprised as I was by Coach’s words.
Neither of us dares say anything, waiting for the news we’ve been summoned to receive.
“Like I was saying,” Coach Harrison says with another sigh. “Our school has several important alumni. A few, like our mayor, have helped put our hockey program on the map as they were Cove Knights before going on to great NHL careers. One of these alumni, who went to school here with our current Dean, is Brett Bergen. I’m sure you know who I’m talking about.”
I nod, feeling a little starstruck. The considerable number of NHL champions that attended Star Cove College is the reasonwhy I decided to transfer here when I becamepersona non gratain Hemlock Beach.
“Of course. Brett Bergen was one of the best left wingers of his generation. He led the San Francisco Paladins to their first ever Stanley Cup just this year.”
Coach Harrison acknowledges me with another nod. “Yeah, well. Brett and our mayor have been talking about bringing an NHL team to Star Cove. Of course, that’s something that doesn’t happen overnight. The NHL commissioner needs to be persuaded that our town has what it takes to make a new franchise successful.”
Prescott lets out a surprised whistle. “Holy shit. Having a Star Cove NHL team would be fucking awesome.”
