Page 106 of Three Pucking Words
“Let me rephrase that,” he says. “I’ve got a friend who has already started and funded a new NHL team with the help ofsome investors. He’s got a lot of money and a lot of passion for this sport. He knows his shit, but he’s looking for someone who can help him.”
Blinking slowly, I try putting two and two together. “And he needs…more money?”
Coach huffs out a laugh. “The bastard has more money than he knows what to do with, which is why he’s going through the trouble to bring a new team into the Eastern Conference.”
That sort of things takes massive approval, a boatload of money, and a lot of time.Years. If he’s putting together a team, that must mean he’s already gotten some sort of consent to move forward through the league. “I’m not sure I’m following you, sir.”
He scrubs his hand down his face. “Your shoulder is going to be a problem. It’s going to get worse if you continue, and it may never recover fully if you don’t go through with the surgery to fix it. You can keep pretending it’s fine all you want, but it’ll only cost you heavier consequences the longer you keep up the charade.”
My jaw ticks at the truth delivered in true-to-coach blunt fashion. “Go on.”
Coach pins me with a look. “I know how much Gemma means to you. Trust me, I get the importance of fatherhood. You want to provide a good life for your child and ensure that she gets everything she deserves.”
All true things, but I’m not understanding where this is going. “Coach, what exactly are you getting at? If you’re waiting for me to admit that my shoulder is done for—”
“That isn’t it,” he insists firmly. “I know with the right surgery and rehab you can get back to where you were. But I also know that it’s only a matter of time before a new injury happens. I don’t need to tell you that players are prone to shoulder and ligament injuries in this line of work. Once you fuck yourself, ittends to be for life with some good moments in between. Youwillget better. But it’s only temporary.”
The nod I offer him is solemn. Any contact sport puts players at risk for a lot of reoccurring problems. ACL tears. Arthritis. Fractures. It’s part of the gig. It’s why our contracts are so good, and our medical benefits are better. “I know I’m on borrowed time, sir. That isn’t news. But I think I have a few more seasons left in me.”
He deadpans, telling me he doesn’t agree.
And that…shit. That stings.
“My friend is looking for a head coach for his team,” he finally tells me, making my eyebrows go up. “He’s already got a solid lineup of players in mind with a few stars he’s hoping to scoop up. One of them is you, and even he can tell there’s something holding you back during the games. Your level of movement is limited, which makes you a little more calculated on the ice. It risks your speed. You lost two pucks during the last game because you couldn’t pass them quick enough.”
Teeth grinding at the reminder that I’ve beat myself up over since I watched footage, I clench the arms of the chairs. “It won’t happen again. I’m going to keep doing PT and—”
“Son,” he says, his voice a little more patient than usual. “Whatever you decide is your decision alone. But I want you to take into consideration all of the options you have. Not just for you, but for Gemma. So hear me out.”
I really hate when he brings up my daughter like that, because he knows I can’t argue.
Reluctantly, I close my mouth and nod once.
He looks me in the eyes and says, “He’s willing to offer you a seven-figure contract that matches the one you have with us. The health insurance will be top notch and cover everything you could possibly need, including surgery and whatever arises with Gemma, and you’d still be on the east coast.”
How could a new team be able to offer one person seven figures? “If they’re willing to offer me that, how can they afford the kind of players that will be able to complete with already-established teams?”
Coach grins. “Money goes a long way, Hoffman. And he’s got five houses in five different countries.”
I frown. “It’s not Elon Musk is it? I swear if he buys a team and puts an X on their jerseys—”
Coach laughs, and it’s such a foreign sound that I’m struck a little speechless. “It’s not Musk, but I needed that today. Between us, he’s got a lot invested in this game both professionally and personally. His son-in-law is one of the people he’s drafting.”
Who the hell is this person?
Before I can ask, Coach goes on. “If you had the opportunity to make the same amount of money and be part of the sport you love without risking your health, would you do it?”
Is it really that simple? “I don’t know,” I admit. There are so many factors. Where would we be located? The east coast is twenty-three-hundred miles from Maine to Florida. There are a lot of places that I might have to go. Then there’s Gemma to consider. Her family is here, and Joe and Helen already relocated once. I can’t expect them to follow me everywhere my career goes.
“I can see the wheels turning in your head,” Coach says plainly. “The stadium will be in Connecticut, which means that you, and Gemma’s grandparents, could commute. But, to sweeten the deal, the owner is also offering help with babysitting and schooling. He’s determined to get you to say yes. He can see that your determination on the ice can make for good skills off it. I told him I’d pass along the information and let you make the decision on your own time.”
I swipe my hand along my jaw. Connecticut seems like a strange place for a hockey team to be stationed, but it’s the fifth most popular state for hockey if the statistics are right. Gemma told me that after learning how to use the internet to search random things. I can thank Joe for that newfound skill, and Helen for the iPad they bought her for Christmas last year. “Who is his son-in-law?”
He doesn’t answer right away, and I realize he may not be able to. Whatever holds him back must not be good enough not to indulge me. “It isn’t official yet, but you know him. Thomas Moskins.”
I blink.
Blink again. “From Pittsburgh?”
