Page 53 of Play to Win

Actually, it’s technically not true that Asher and I are the only Wynns who don’t play hockey.Asher’s sister, Everly, also doesn’t play hockey—but she works for the Condors Foundation.Just because she’s a girl doesn’t mean she may not have wanted to play hockey, because my cousin Riley, also a girl, does.Did.

I smile at one of Asher’s comments.He’s smart and knowledgeable about hockey, but he’s also a good writer and his metaphors always amuse me.I’ll have to suggest we go for beers sometime.

Okay.I’ve got a shit ton of work to do.

Ever since I made my decision to take this job, I’ve been researching and creating spreadsheets and charts and graphs to help me in my analysis.But there’s much more to do.I flew into town a week ago to do exit interviews with all the players before they disappeared for the summer, but I know I’m going to have to meet with some of them again.It might involve going to them, wherever they’re spending their summer, although there are a few players who’ve stayed in the area.I’ll especially need to talk to the team captain, Jimmy Bertelson, also known as Big Bert, a veteran player and the undisputed leader of the team.

One of the first things I need to do is hire an assistant GM.I’ve already looked at who’s out there and talked to some, and I’ve narrowed it down to a few candidates.I’d like to have someone more experienced than I am, because I know I’m smart and good at what I do, but I’m also smart enough to know what I don’t know.

My mind drifts to Lacey.

Shit.I hurt her feelings last night.

I knew I was going to.

I sit back in my chair.After I left her at home yesterday afternoon, I was all sappy happy because she was loving the ocean so much.And I can’t get all sappy happy about Lacey.When I got to my office and looked around, and the enormity of what I had to accomplish crashed over me, I realized I couldn’t get involved with her.And by “involved,” I mean bone her.This isn’t a real marriage and it’s not going to last; it’s only until she needs to go back to Vegas, and then I’ll tell my family things didn’t work out and we’ll all move on.So getting warm, squishy feelings about her can’t happen.

I decided to tell her when I got home, even though I knew it was going to be uncomfortable and not only that, I’m sort of punishing myself too because she’s sweet and sexy and I want to bone her so bad it hurts, and she’s apparently down to fuck also ...but I strengthened my resolve, determined to focus on my job because if I screw this up I’ll pretty much have to give up using the last name Wynn and move to South America to live in a hut and ride a donkey.

I need to focus.As GM, I’ll be facing tons of pressure from all directions—Grandpa, the players, the fans, and the media.I did the presser when they announced I’d been hired, and yeah, the media barraged me with questions, many of which focused on my lack of experience.

I figured the best strategy was to be honest.Idon’thave a lot of experience managing a team.I also want to be realistic about the team’s potential, because not only is my job managing the team, it’s managing expectations, and that includes the players’ expectations and the fans’ expectations.We’re not going to win the Stanley Cup this year.We’re going to need a long-term plan to get there.

I pull my laptop closer on the desk.

Not only is there pressure from everyone else ...I’m putting huge pressure on myself.

This morning I’m meeting with Grandpa—my boss—and the head coach of the Condors, Joe Daneck.I wanted to get here early and work on a few things before that.I dive into numbers and the lists I’m compiling.

Others arrive at the office closer to nine o’clock—admin staff, Brock Thurlow, our director of hockey operations; Brenda Laurent, our chief human resources officer.I greet everyone and chat with them, sensing their wariness despite being friendly enough.I’ll need to get to know all these people too.

I’m a numbers guy, so dealing with people isn’t a strength, but I know that and I’ve worked on it.Managing means managing people ...it’s that simple.Getting the best roster possible on the ice.Making sure team staff are competent.Communicating with ownership—in this case my grandpa.Maintaining good relations with fans and the media.

And since I played hockey most of my life, I know what it’s like to be on a team.Hockey is a team sport, and building the team that’soffthe ice is as important as building the team that’sonthe ice.

Grandpa arrives first, striding into my office with a big grin.I stand up and move around my desk for a hug and backslap.“Hey, old man.Or should I call you Mr.Wynn now?”

He laughs, a rough dry laugh.“Maybe you should call me that.Or how about Bob?”

“That’s weird.”I pause.“I’ll call you Bob to other people.To your face I’ll call you old man.”

“Fair enough.”

I gesture to the round table in the corner of my office and Grandpa takes a seat.He moves slower and more stiffly than I remember.I feel a clench in my gut at the idea of him getting older.Jesus, he’s only seventy-two.Only.

I pick up the cup of coffee I got from the break room, my Starbucks beverage long gone, and join him.

“I bet you’re chomping at the bit to get going,” Grandpa says.

“I’m ready.”

“I wanted to talk to you before Joe gets here.He has to go.”

I blink at him.“What?”

“He’s a losing coach.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have fired Uncle Mark.”

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