Page 5 of Second Round

“Of course I’m here. I wanted to welcome you to Vancouver properly. And I was hoping I could persuade you to come to tonight’s game.” He grabbed one of my suitcases and led me towardstheexit.

Our greetings had caused a few people to stare. As captain of the Vancouver Millionaires when they won the Cup and very recently retired, Lucky was still a big deal around here. But now he had a new job: Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Vancouver Vice. The Vice were the AHL farm team for the NHL Millionaires, so it wasn’t that bigaleap.

“You don’t have to twist my arm to go to a game.” I laughed. I’d already been planning to sneak into the arena once I dropped off my suitcases at the hotel. I wanted to see exactly what I’d gotten myself into. Taking over an AHL team with only a month left in the season wasn’t going to be apicnic.

“Great minds think alike,” he replied with a grin. “I knew we picked the right head coach.” It was easy to see why he’d been a good captain. In a matter of moments he’d made me feel like part of the Vice team, but he was also friendly and low-key. “Of course, I’ve been taking a ton of grief over hiring you. Hector Blaine chewed me out for half an hourstraight.”

“Sorry about that.” My General Manager back in Albany had been furious that I was leaving before the playoffs. He’d ripped into me as well, screaming about team loyalty. But I’d pointed out that if I’d gotten the Albany head-coaching job at the beginning of the season, I wouldn’t be leaving. The fastest way to become an NHL coach was to take opportunities when they came up. And what better opportunity would there be than becoming the next head coach of the worst team in the AHL? The Vice had brand new management, a commitment to improvement, and best of all, more money to invest in the team. “Hector knows I have a clause in my contract to allow me to leave at any point in the season. That’s why he let us talk in the firstplace.”

Lucky shrugged. “I tried to explain how desperate we are. Since Bob Pankowski had his heart attack, the assistants have really been flailing. I don’t think he gave them muchresponsibility.”

I nodded. I didn’t know Pankowski personally, but there were coaches who held all their cards close to their chest. Usually it was fear-driven. “Starting now gives us a chance to get an early start on nextseason.”

“Yeah, this one is kind of a write-off,” Lucky admitted. The Vice were last in the league and out of the playoffs since January. Not exactly a success story. He eyed my luggage. “We could put these in the trunk and go straight there. That way we’ll only miss the firstperiod.”

“Soundsgood.”

He remotely unlocked a large black Range Rover, lifted the hatchback, and loaded my two suitcases. “Have you got more stuff coming fromNewYork?”

I shook my head. “I travel light.” That was my preference: rent furnished apartments, lease cars, and be ready to go at a moment’snotice.

“It felt weird to only interview you on the phone and Skype, and not get to see you in person,” Lucky said as we eased our way through the traffic. It was raining hard. No snow, but Vancouver’s greyness was almostworse.

“Hockey’s a small world though,” I replied. “We both know each other by reputation already. And we met briefly at a World Junior tournament a fewyearsago.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I remember. You were an assistant coach, and I was supposed to deliver a few words of encouragement. Not sure if I helpedornot.”

I laughed. “You impressed them, but that group wasn’t great at listening anyway.” We’d lost in the final that year. But the next year when I was the head coach, we’d won the goldmedal.

“Listen, everyone’s already at the game. They’re dying tomeetyou.”

“Who’s everyone?” Iasked.

“Well, Don Swan’s there, you know, from the Millionaires. And of course, Greg and AmandaRichardson.”

I was curious about the brother and sister who also managed the Vice. I’d done a little research and they came from a very wealthy family who owned part of the team. “What are Greg andAmandalike?”

“Greg’s a great General Manager. He’s one of those math geniuses, so he’s the go-to guy for your financial questions. Easy-going, too. Feel free to drop by and talk to him any time you have questions. I mean, beyond what I can answer. We’re a team, our management group isn’t big on job titles. Everyone does what they’re good at as challengescomeup.”

“Sounds good.” Things seemed pretty loose here, which was already my impression. That was a better situation for me than a team that insisted on doing things as “they’d always been done.” I waited for part two of hisanswer.

“And Amanda,” his voice softened. “She’s incredible. So smart and she really cares about people—everyone who works for the team, from the kids who sell popcorn to the team superstar.” He laughed. “Whoever that might be. I mean, we’ve got good players, but not enoughofthem.”

Again, I waited for more. The best way to get answers was to shut up at the right time. But the emotional tone of his voicewasodd.

Lucky stopped for a red light and shifted in his seat. “Listen, Goats, there’s something I maybe should have mentioned before. I wasn’t sure if it was important, and I sure as hell don’t have experience in this area. Amanda and I are going out.” He shook his head. “Jesus, that sounds like we’re in grade seven or something. Anyway, you don’t have to worry, because we’re not making out in the office or anything.” The expression on his face suggested that was exactly what he wished he could be doing. Lucky was a prettyeasyread.

He accelerated into the intersection. “So, is that okaywithyou?”

It was really too late to ask that question now that I’d quit my job and moved across the country. But I’d register my concerns anyway. “Gotta be honest with you, Lucky. Seems a little tight in the management group. A brother and sister, and you’re dating the sister. If I have an issue with you, my boss, there’s nowheretogo.”

“Once you meet Amanda and Greg, I don’t think you’ll be worried anymore. They’re both total professionals. But you can always talk to Swanny at the Millionaires if you’ve got an issuewithme.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Now I was interested to meet Amanda Richardson, a woman who could turn an ex-hockey superstar into a stammering teenager. The Vice didn’t sound like the most professional team in the AHL, but I knew I could improve the team here. And if it wasn’t the right situation, I’d move on nextseason.

“Welcome toVancouver,Leo.”

As soon as we walked into the executive suite at the arena, I was surrounded by Millionaire’s staff. I’d already interviewed with Don Swan, but his boss, Rhett Batchelor, was there, as well as Nick Barbarossa, head coach of the Millionaires. It was flattering that they had all shown up to meet me, and a good sign that the Vice organization worked closely with its NHL parent. A fair-haired young man hovering outside the circle turned out to be Greg Richardson. He was surprisingly low key for being both in charge of the Vice and an extremelyrichman.

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