Page 242 of Wrong Pucking Player

“Some of you may not know, but I almost lost my entire life due to an individual who decided I deserved to suffer for having big dreams for this town. It almost cost me my marriage, my career and passion for sports in general, and the financial investments I worked hard to maintain with various business connections with people and corporations,” Mr. Champion reveals. “I had to fix things the hard way, and if it wasn’t for my son, Dimitri, I genuinely think I would not be here drinking a beer with such a promising team.”

I can only wonder how bad the bullying and chaos were back when Mr. Champion had to face it alone with very few in his corner at a public level.

“Not everyone is lucky to be saved and proven innocent, which is exactly why I make it my goal to observe teams and determine who is setting up the rest of the team for failure,” he admits. “This is one of the reasons why that individual is currently not present here because we invited him to attend another location.”

“Damn,” Mitchel whispers. “So…you’ve acknowledged that Winchester isn’t the best captain for us.”

“Acknowledged, noted, and we’re actually in the process of sponsoring someone who we’d originally had in mind to be the captain of Saskatchewan Pincers but was delayed due to visa issues,” Mr. Champion reveals. “This is why we also believed an advance upgrade was necessary to pay you guys for the trauma and future difficulties your current captain may put you through during this learning process.”

“This is unreal,” Axel quietly comments. “So… if we’re getting advance upgrades, does that mean we’ll have to return the advances we got originally? I didn’t touch mine.”

“Didn’t use mine either,” Royce admits.

“I think the majority of us haven’t touched the funds yet,” Armani chips in on the team’s behalf.

“The money you acquired previously is yours to keep,” Mr. Champion declares. “Your new advances will be processed tomorrow morning, and you’ll all be invited to sign your new contracts on Monday.”

“Wow.” Denzel is blinking back tears. “That’s the kindest thing I’ve ever experienced in my existence.”

The others are trying not to get emotional, but it’s hard after you find out you’re worthy of a greater advance for being persistent and trusting in yourself and fellow teammates to manifest greater opportunities.

“Man, if Fraser hadn’t ditched, he’d be enjoying this,” Denzel sighs. “When he finds out, he’ll be disappointed.”

“A shame, indeed,” Mr. Champion notes, but I notice how his eyes cloud over. “Fraser was a good candidate for the team, despite his youth and lack of experience. A real disappointment that he wasn’t patient nor had the intention of sticking this through without financial gain.”

“Hold on,” Wyatt whispers. “Was?”

I need a second to repeat what Mr. Champion had said in my mind before I click on the ‘was’ word.

“Fraser is no longer with us,” Coach Johnson announces. “He killed himself this morning.”

The silence that ignites around our table is deafening. Despite how loud it is around us, I can’t help but take a moment to zone it all out as a tribute to Fraser’s existence.

“We will hold a ceremony in his honor to celebrate his life early next week, but we don’t wish for any of you to carry the weight of his death on your shoulders,” Mr. Champion stresses. “We all have to make decisions in this lifetime. Some are easy and others are the utmost difficult. What I do wish for you all to take from this is to remember that I, Coach Johnson, and the other administrators in Strattonville Stadium are here to see you all reach the highest of your abilities. It’s not our purpose to make any of you feel like there’s no way out of something. If anything happens that feels too suffocating and burdensome to get out of, I wish for you to rely on one another and come to us to aid in lightening the load.”

We all nod in understanding before Mr. Champion sighs and takes another go at his beer.

“With that said, I’d like for this information to remain between this group. It will become public knowledge that Saskatchewan Pincers has earned an advance boost. If Winchester questions any of you, feel free to send him our way. We’d gladly discuss our decision with him.”

“Thank you, Mr. Champion and Coach Johnson,” Wyatt states with gratitude.

“Due to Fraser’s passing, we’ll keep his position open and only fill it in emergencies,” Coach Johnson reveals and looks to Wyatt. “I hope you don’t mind being a substitute if needed, Cyrus Jr.”

“Not at all,” he replies.

“Once the season is done, we’d love to have you officially join the team for future initiatives now that we have plenty of sponsors and associations that would love to see this hockey initiative expand into something global.”

“I’ll be ready when that opportunity arises,” Wyatt assures them.

“Now then,” Mr. Champion begins and finishes his beer. “You younglings best continue celebrating your victory and now advance boost. Feel free to party hard. Tomorrow’s practice is moved to Monday with Coach Johnson’s permission.”

“Yes!!” A few of the guys cheer. “Thanks, Coach.”

“Feel free to head over to Blood Rock Club. We’ve already made the team’s reservation and all food and drinks are on us, so have fun,” Coach Johnson encourages, which has us clapping and cheering.

Mr. Champion looks to me, then Caren.

“Nurse Andrews and Nurse Ross.”

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