Page 216 of Wrong Pucking Player

“Armani still has a way to go with being captain. Not to say he can’t lead, because we’re observing it now. I think he wants to shine as a goalie first. Prove he’s earned his right to be on this team and the consistency of commitment. Think of it as what we were talking about involving employment. When you hire someone to be a manager, you’d want to watch their performance and efforts in various predicaments before making the offering of rising up to the director position. That way, if someone questions why you’ve acquired the role so soon, there’s clear evidence to back it up. You ‘earned’ the position versus nowadays where everything feels ‘given’ to a person to save face or look good on social media,” I explain.

Opening my water bottle, I look over to Wyatt.

“As for Wyatt Cyrus Jr., he’s actually our equipment manager, who we share with Vipers. He does have immense hockey experience and can become a backup player in emergencies, but I believe he didn’t push to be on the team because he wanted to give the other members a fair chance,” I reveal. “Not many know this, but Cyrus Jr. has the same experience if not higher when you compare it to Winchester. They’re from similar family backgrounds, and obviously, he’s the eldest son of Coach Cyrus. He also has captain qualities that would be perfect for Pincers, but again, he wants to earn it by being part of the team first and rising through the ranks as a unit.”

I stare between them before taking a swig of my water.

“Needless to say, at this point in time, neither are ready to be captains, which may be why Winchester is in the position he’s in. Obviously, in my opinion, some strings were pulled to give him that position because certainly there had to be a better choice, but then again, maybe he was chosen so observers can determine if he’s there to truly lead his team to victory or save himself,” I summarize. “As of now, we can get a picture of where his priorities lie.”

“Very intriguing,” he confesses with a bob of his head in fascination. “Do you know a lot about each player?”

“Yes,” I confidently reply and don’t hesitate to start gathering my notebooks and iPad to give him some examples. I end up going into detail about each player, emphasizing the unique advantages we have with some of our forwards like Kane, Royce, and Ryker. Then I highlight some of the defensemen, especially Diesel and Axel, who’ve been showing the most rapid growth on and off the ice. I still give spotlights to Denzel, Cole, Silas, and Mitchel, and even point out a bit of the advantages Winchester brings to the table.

By the time I’m done, Mr. Tobias looks more than just impressed.

“Outstanding. I’ve never seen an intern make such a detailed overview of the team they’re assigned to like this.” He really is amazed.

“It’s more helpful to me, if anything,” I admit as my cheeks burn red at his praise. “How can I properly assess and assist my players as the team nurse if I don’t work on bettering my understanding of each player? Health does center around the body, but we all know it’s more than that. Knowing each player on a different scale of physical, emotional, and mental well-being, in turn, can aid with their overall performance as a whole. It’s very similar to being a coach, but I’m just very specialized in the health department.”

I look to Coach Johnson, noticing how he briefly looks my way as if he knows I’m talking about him. From a quick glance, he’s just checking on me, then he’s back to talking to the team, who thankfully don’t notice and are still fully immersed in what their coach is explaining.

“Coach Johnson doesn’t hesitate to take any advice I have, and he takes the players’ health very seriously. I appreciate that, and it makes this team have huge potential. I believe they’ll slay their first game tomorrow night, and when they do, many will begin to see they’re competitors in this competition and not actually talking out of their asses.”

“So, despite the advance drama, they’re still committed to remaining?” Mr. Tobias inquiries.

“Everyone you see down there is willing to prove they’re deserving to be on the team, Mr. Tobias. Despite all of them having their own financial struggles and complications,” I confess. “The drama isn’t necessarily centered on who in particular got the highest advances. The real problem is that many of these TikTokers who are speaking about this issue are like me. Individuals who take the time to analyze each player and where they’re coming from. A bit of research would confirm that many of those men down there come from tough upbringings. Sure, one or two of them are from rich families and heritages, but many are no different from me, living off of government housing for multiple reasons.”

I don’t know why I revealed that, but it’s too late now.

The real self-improvement is that I don’t feel ashamed admitting that now. Maybe this is a sign of personal growth.

“We don’t ask to be born in poor livelihoods. I actually don’t even know my parents, but I strived to become someone deserving of a chance to be a part of something as new and rejuvenating as this initiative. I’m sure many of those men down there feel the same way. Feel a hint of pride in themselves for making it on a team when there were thousands of applicants, despite being poor or having little connections. Knowing this makes you want to uplift their spirits and show the world what’s possible. Not to say, give them higher advances because they’re poor, but acknowledging their upbringing and realizing that despite all the instances that were made to be used against them, many of these men strived past those hurdles and valleys to rise up to the top of the hills and reach this moment of time to represent the small town that birthed them into this culture of pursuing hockey professionally.”

I take a breath and smile.

“We did have one person drop, which is why we’re short a team member, but that’s just how life is. Some will be willing to stick through it, even if it may not benefit them, and others will have to let go and give the opportunity to someone else. The player who dropped had a lot of debt, and since the advancement wasn’t enough to cover it, he decided it would be best to leave.”

“But wouldn’t leaving mean he doesn’t get anything at all?” Mr. Tobias sounds confused.

“Exactly like you said, Sir, but when emotions come through, sometimes people don’t think right and make rash decisions,” I acknowledge. “That’s why we decided to give the decision a week and talk to Mr. Champion in regard to the signed advances and see if further negotiation can be done. Now, we know who’s willing to remain regardless of whether we’re able to get a bigger advance or not but will also endure our first game and prove if it’s worth the discussion at all.”

“Extremely smart move.”

“God, I hope so,” I laugh. “I best go down and check on them now that training is almost over. I appreciate having someone to talk about my thoughts and observations, though. Thank you for listening, Mr. Tobias.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I enjoy observing these training sessions with Mr. Champion when I can. My schedule is usually tight, but I took today off just to get a view of the Pincers’ progress. Having your input only further heightened the experience. I appreciate that.”

“I’m glad I could contribute to the enlightened experience.”

We exchange smiles and goodbyes before I gather my stuff and head down to meet the rest of the team. Ending up next to Coach Johnson, he’s finishing the final game plans for tonight’s last practice before the game tomorrow.

“So, we’ll be back by six tonight. Understood?”

“Yes, Coach!”

“You’re dismissed.”

They sigh in relief before dispersing into their usual groups.

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