The next few teams - Denver, Miami, and New York – go for defensive players to fill obvious gaps in their rosters. As we reach the middle of the pack, I look to Dave again for reassurance. I know he's spoken to several teams on my behalf, but I also know they've been very hesitant to make any firm commitments.
Another goalie goes to Los Angeles, and I notice my mom frowns. I know she had hoped I could play for a hometown team, sticking close to the support structure I've built there. Alas, it isn't meant to be. The Commissioner approaches the microphone again.
“With the sixth overall pick, the Toronto Bears take Marek Kowalski.”
Shit. Dave had had big hopes for Toronto, I know, but they'd never been willing to fully commit. But Kowalski will be absolutelyannihilated by the much-larger NHL players; what were they thinking?
I’m afraid I know exactly what they were thinking.
Too much of a distraction.
Too much press.
Too gay.
Things were suddenly looking a lot worse.
Dave leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Alright, at this point let's hope for Vancouver or Toronto in the second. With less focus on the pick, they may go for it still.”
They may go for it?
“And if they don't?”
I was so focused on the hardened look on Dave's face that I almost missed it.
“...take Jamie Carter!”
Based on the quiet that falls over the room, I'm not the only one stunned. I didn't even hear who it was...seventh overall? Who was that?
As I approach the stage, a polite smattering of applause starts, and I'm handed a Minnesota Huskies cap by the GM, Greg Winthrop. With a firm handshake, I officially meet my new boss.
The Minnesota Huskies?
Are there even gay people in Minnesota?
In his seat, Dave looks just as shocked as me. When he meets me backstage, I ask “Were they even on your radar?”
“Not enough to mention to you. No one talked to me directly, but I had heard the GM was asking around a bit. He’s an old-school hockey guy—hard-nosed, traditional, the kind who still talks about grit and character like it’s 1995. And the captain’s got a reputation for being a bit of a stick in the mud. I figured it was a non-starter.”
I blink. The screens around me seem a little too bright, the air too thin. My stomach turns. As I try to process his words, my phone starts buzzing in my hand, more words from Avery flooding my screen.
Avery Lawson 8:16 PM
Fucking Minneapolis????
Dude
Are there even queer people in Minnesota?
How much snow do they get each year?
52 inches
I googled it.
His spiral isn't far off my own, and I have no idea how to respond. As I stare at the screen, the phone begins ringing in my hand, an unknown 952 number lighting up the screen.
“That's probably your new captain calling. Try to make a good impression.”
