But Jacob was determined to keep everyone’s spirits up – and keep them buying into Coach Tremaine’s work ethic too…
Guys let’s give this everything in practice today,” Jacob said, standing in the center of the locker room in nothing but his jockstrap. “And if we nail it, I’ll buy everyone an ice cream espresso milkshake from Roast Days.”
Initially there was silence in the locker room as some of the other players weren’t sure about whether Jacob should be taking such a leadership role. After all, with Tane still recovering from his shoulder injury, there were other more senior playersthan Jacob who would have been more obvious candidates to step up as leader.
“Listen to Jacob,” Alex said, stepping forward and putting his arm on Jacob’s shoulder. “He might be young, but he knows hockey. We need to step up and fight together. The further we go in the playoffs, the more chance there is that Tane will be back and ready for us on the ice.”
The players cheered in approval and Jacob nodded in appreciation to Alex for his intervention.
The incident with the Cardini clan at the launderette was still fresh in Jacob’s mind. It wasn’t that Jacob was still scared or scarred by what had gone down, but he kept thinking back to what had happened – and actually surprised himself by what he thought.
I was frightened.
But… I was excited too.
If this is life with the Enforcers, then I think I joined the right team after all.
Jacob smiled wryly as he recalled shooting at the Cardini’s henchmen. The feeling of holding and firing a gun reminded him of what it felt like to home in on goal and slap the puck into the back of the net. It wasexhilarating.
“Jacob, thank you for stepping up to the plate,” Coach Tremaine said, walking over toward Jacob as most of the players left the locker room to hit the ice. “You’ve grown so much this season. You’ve got a great future at this franchise. And when I think about who could lead the team in the future, it’s your name that keeps coming up in my mind.”
“Thanks coach,” Jacob said, blushing slightly at hearing the usually super-grumpy Coach Tremaine speak so effusively about him. “But Tane will be back and ready to take over again soon enough. I’m just filling in. Tane’s the man. That ain’t changing.”
“Okay, enough talk,” Tremaine barked. “It’s time to get onto the ice and get fired up. Let’s fucking move, people!”
With that, Jacob and the remaining players made their way out of the locker room and hit the ice. Jacob’s heart was swelling with pride and he knew beyond doubt that him and the Enforcers were a match made in heaven.
The only question on Jacob’s mind now was whether Tane was going to be able to battle back from his injury in time to play a part in the playoffs.
And speaking of Tane, where was he right now?
* * *
“That’s it. Jacob… in and out then shoot,” Tane hollered, standing at the side of the practice ice with Coach Tremaine.
Jacob followed Tane’s instructions and scored goal after goal.
While it wasn’t ideal that Tane was injured, it certainly was helpful to be receiving advice from one hockey’s greatest ever offensive players.
Jacob smiled as Tane gave him a thumbs up, and it felt good to know that he was impressing his captain and his man too.
Jacob couldn’t help but think back and recall just how difficult his and Tane’s relationship had been at the start. With Tane out injured at the start of the season and recuperating away fromthe squad, Jacob had felt like he was stepping into a locker room that didn’t quite have the right balance to it – and this had in part led to Jacob’s less than helpful behavior.
However Jacob wasn’t going to duck responsibility for his own actions either.
The reality was that Jacob hadn’t behaved well when he first signed for the Enforcers, and even the absence of such an influential figure as Tane Rivers wasn’t going to work as a genuine excuse.
But when Tane began to work his influence on Jacob, it felt like something changed.
Jacob could feel himself growing into his role as a high profile hockey player. The combination of Tane’s firm approach and his years of experience soon helped Jacob to understand precisely what he needed to do to maximize his talents and help the squad get on well together.
But now wasn’t the time for Jacob to reminisce and contemplate his journey at the Enforcers. So Jacob broke out of his thoughts and set about leading by example as the players moved on to a defensive drill with Coach Tremaine and Tane watching on and giving instructions as required.
“Yeah! That’s perfect, Connor,” Jacob said, watching as the grizzled veteran perfectly fell into Coach’s new defensive pattern.
“Thanks but I’m pretty sureyou’rethe one who needs to focus on his defense,” Connor barked backed, a slight smile in the corner of his mouth. “Even a pretty boy like you has to do show that he can dig in a kick some ass from time to time.”
Jacob smiled and did exactly that as he clattered into Connor and showed off his ne-found love of working hard for the team.
