Page 93 of The Rebound Plan

“Whatever. I’m guessing that’s not why you called me.”

“No. It’s about the Ice League. You’ve heard the rumours.”

“Mostly try to ignore them, but yeah.”

“They want to announce the first wave of players soon.”

I stop at the top of the concrete steps and turn around. I’m at the very top of the upper bowl. “So it’s really happening.”

“There are pros and cons on getting in on it.”

“Where are the teams going to be located?”

He hesitates. “Quebec City. Vancouver. New York. Chicago. Vegas. And Los Angeles.”

I whistle. “Nothing in the Golden Horseshoe?”

“No.”

So it would mean moving. “Not interested.”

“You should hear about the bonuses being offered before you say that.”

I don’t need to. “I’d rather not know what I’m missing out on, Marty.”

“All right. Don’t say I didn’t try to make this happen for you.”

I watch Max pick up speed on the ice. I fucking hate how fast he is—except when we’re playing against another team, and he’s using that for the greater good. “I’m not a UFA anyway this year.”

“They’re negotiating with the NHL. They’d be willing to buy out contracts.”

And then it sinks in. There won’t be any teams within 800 km of Toronto…and in exchange, the league will put pressure on teams releasing veteran players like me. People who can always find a job in the NHL, because we’re good and reliable, but we’re also replaceable by the next generation of players like Malik Zondi.

Here I was blaming Max for being demoted to the B-squad, when all along it might have been a just-in-case call by our General Manager.

Fuck.

Me.

“Have they locked up the stars for each team?”

Another hesitation. “Not gonna talk about other players yet, Rusty.”

I’ll take that as a no. “I’m still out. Thanks for thinking of me. Sorry you won’t get that cut. But I’m staying put. Can you put a phone call in to Dorrian and make that clear?”

I walk back down the stairs and turn run up them again, my thoughts churning. Every high-value free agent is a possible candidate for this launch. All of them would be pressing their agents to get the most amount of money possible. Basketball or baseball star level of contracts. It would have to be, to get them to leave the NHL.

It’s not a given at all that Max will win that lottery.

But if he does, he and his wife will move far, far away from here. From me.

That afternoon, the training camp roster is cut substantially. Among others, Jamie Mason gets sent down to our new AHL affiliate in Niagara Falls—and I return to the A-squad for practice.

When I wake up the next morning, the team group chat is hopping.

Jenson: Don’t forget it’s school photo day today

Kieran: Please don’t piss Mabel off and forget your time slot

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