“Exactly. See how even just a few feet can totally change the trajectory of the game? We missed this pass, which had a roll-on effect where they were able to get the puck up the other end and score thirty seconds later,” West adds. “Good spot, Hart. This one happened so quickly it wasn’t easy to see.”
I glance at Lewis in PP-two, who is paused on the screen right now so West can show where he was and where he needed to be. Getting singled out when you messed up used to feel like the worst thing in the world, and don’t get me wrong, it still sucks, but West does it in a way that makes you feel like he isn’t so much pointing out what you did wrong, as he is helping you see what you did right and how you can do better. The video continues, and then West pauses it after one of my trick plays that scored me one of only three goals we got that game.
“So, what did we see?” West asks, pausing the screen right when White and I are chest-bumping in celebration.
“The rook and I are killing it out there,” White says, and a few of the guys hoot and cheer in agreement. I can’t help but smile.
“Okay, yes, we got the goal, but what else did you see?” West asks.
Reid shifts in his seat, leaning back and folding his arms over his chest the way he does when he’s not happy.
“The play that was called was disregarded,” Reid says, and West rewinds the video.
“Go on,” he says as he presses play again, this time showing the video at half speed.
“Coach called for a bottom-line and I was running that play. The next thing I know the rook is lobbing the puck over the net.”
“To White, who totally baseball-batted it in,” I say, my face growing warm.
“That was pure luck,” Reid goes on to say, and I can tell in an instant that everyone else agrees. Shit, even I have to agree. It was luck that White got the goal. I didn’t plan for him to baseball-bat it in. I heard the call, and then I saw White open in front of the net and thought I could get the puck to him, so I did.
“But it worked,” I reasoned.
“And if it didn’t, we would have lost the puck and our shot at a goal,” Reid adds. “When a play is called, it’s your job to follow that play. Everyone else was doing their job except you.”
West steps in front of the screen.
“Reid is right. The call was disregarded in this instance, which can’t happen in a real game. Trust is the foundation for everything you guys do out there, and when we have just two minutes to take advantage of the power play, every decision needs to be made with complete confidence that the call will be followed. Hart, you took a chance that paid off, this time. And White, that goal will be onreplays through the entire season, you can bet, but without trust, you may as well be playing street hockey.”
“Sorry, team,” I say, and West moves on to the next play. My heart is pounding so fast that I’m sure the guys closest to me must be able to hear it. I was on a total high after that goal, White too, and now all I keep thinking is why the hell didn’t I just run the play Coach called? If I get sent down to the AHL now, the only person I can blame is myself.
We finish the session reviewing a few more videos, and as I take one step out of the training room my phone rings.
Shit.
I answer, my hand shaking as my stomach swirls.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Mr. Hart, this is Becky James from Hockey Central News.”
Relief washes over me. It’s not the GM telling me I’ve been cut or sent down to the AHL.
“Sorry, wait, how did you get this number?”
“A source provided it to us. Would you be free to set up a time for an interview this week? We’d love to get your thoughts on training camp and what you’re looking forward to in your rookie season.”
“Umm, you should really contact my agent to arrange that kind of thing, I think.”
Reid stops walking past me and turns, mouthing, “Who is it?”
“Hold on,” I tell Becky, and I tap mute on the screen so she doesn’t hear me. “It’s some reporter. She said she got my number from a source, but what does that even mean? What should I say?”
“Just tell her you’d love to chat if they contact your agent to set up a time, then thank them and end the call. Then you block the number, and possibly change yours,” Reid replies.
“Yeah, but what does she mean by a source gave it to her? What source?”
Reid shrugs. “It probably means someone you know leaked it to the press.”
