I’m going to hell for what I’m about to do. When St. Peter greets me at the pearly gates, this video will be the one he shows me before dropping the trapdoor.
“Yes, son? You can be frank.”
“Well, we already managed a playoff spot last year…”
And damned if a strong forward isn’t exactly what we’d need to go further.
“…and I just think the press around Carter would be…a distraction.”
A distraction. Take away from the game. I’ve heard these words somewhere before, and my stomach turns when I think about where.
“A distraction?”
“I mean, being the first gay player in the league is going to cause a lot of press. I don’t know how he’ll have room to breathe, let alone focus on the game. That’ll spill over into the locker room, and resentments will build. You probably don’t want to sign him now, when that’s all still fresh. Let it die down for a few years, and then see if you can pick him up in free agency.”
Greg walks over to the cabinet at the side of his office and pours himself a few fingers of amber liquor, turning to offer me some.
“No, thank you, sir.” Scotch at 11 AM is a bit much, even for me, even during this conversation.
“So who do you like? Who could we slot in at forward instead?”
I rack my brain, searching for someone in this draft class who is at least somewhat competent and very straight.
“What about Williamson? Or Kowalski?”
“Nah, Williamson got into that bar fight three weeks ago; he’s a PR disaster from start to finish. I bet he never plays a day in the league. But Kowalski…that might be worth thinking about. You don’t think he’s too small?”
He is definitely too small. Kid needs thirty pounds and three inches, which he’ll probably get — in the next few years in the AHL. Not soon enough for us.
“He’s still just eighteen. Hasn’t had the time to grow that Carter has.”
Which is, honestly, another vote in Carter’s favor.
“But I’m sure with the team’s trainers, he’ll bulk up quick.” I hope.
Greg looks out the window for a few seconds, then back at me.
“Well, thanks for your help, Cap. I appreciate your leadership on this team and I know you’ll help us get to the playoffs regardless of who we end up bringing home from Vegas.”
I might be wrong, but I sense a tone of warning.
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir.”
I squeezein a quick lift after the meeting, desperate to burn off the nervous energy flooding my veins. As I head toward the players' lot, my phone buzzesin my pocket.
Alexei Kovalenko 12:36 PM
You done with your meeting?
Want to grab lunch?
Alexei has been our starting goalie for the past eight years, and is my best friend on the team.
Also my only friend on the team.
Ethan Tremblay 12:37 PM
Just finished. Want me to grab sandwiches and bring them over?
