Right onto Russo’s tape.
Russo barely has to adjust his stick.
He glances back over his shoulder, clearly a little surprised.
“Nice.”
I circle wide, watching.
Okay.
That was good.
The play resets and we go again.
This time I pick up the puck through the neutral zone and push it toward the slot. The defense closes fast, forcing me wide, and I shove the puck toward the boards to keep the playalive.
The newcomer is already there.
He collects it smoothly, head up.
For a split second he hesitates.
Just enough to make the defender bite.
Then he shifts the puck across his body and snaps a quick shot toward the net.
Chen drops immediately and blocks it clean with his pads.
The puck rebounds harmlessly to the corner.
Chen shakes his head behind the mask.
“Alright,” he mutters.
I glide past the newcomer as the drill resets.
Weird. Who is this guy?
When the whistle blows, practice finally ends.
The hopefuls skate nervously toward the bench while Coach confers quietly with the assistants.
The rest of us gather near the boards.
Russo nudges my shoulder.
“Well.”
“Well, what?”
He nods toward the newcomer.
“Looks like your miracle.”
I watch him carefully.
He’s still standing quietly.
