NO REGRETS
VIKTOR
C’MON, GUYS.WHO’S GONNA CATCH ME?ISKATE BACKWARDS FOLLOWED BY A WOBBLING,giggling pack of five- and six-year-olds.I stay slightly ahead of the fastest skater, a little girl in a tiny Monarch Mustangs jersey.After one lap of the arena, I pretend to slip, then get mobbed by the gleeful kids.
We got you!they shriek.
Sure did.Okay, let’s go over and get hockey sticks.You get to take shots on a real goalie next.
Wally frowns.Is that what I am?A real goalie, as opposed to an imaginary one?
As I pass out neon plastic sticks, I announce,Boys and girls, this is Connor Wahl, the top goalie in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.He’s going to lead us to the championship this year.
I turn to Wally.Happy now?
Instead he groans.Oh great, putmeunder all that pressure.
But it’s never too soon to start envisioning our goals.Last year we made it to the semi-finals.One fucking goal away from the finals.I’ve relived every scoring chance I missed that game.But this year will be our year.We’ve got our number one goalie and our top defence pairing back again.It’s my senior year, and I want to go out on a high.
Besides, I’d rather concentrate on hockey.Or activities like this kids’ program.After the summer I’ve had, I need to keep busy all the time because otherwise I’ll go crazy worrying.
Jack Sinclair, one half of that top D pair, skates over to help me organize the kids for a basic shooting drill.
This is so much fun,Sinc declares, not surprisingly, since he’s a little kid inside a man-sized body.Why didn’t we do it last year?
It’s all thanks to Mats.I point across the rink, where Roy Matsumoto is playing ice soccer with another group of kids.The money he got is helping to pay for this.
Last season, Mats helped to secure a large donation for the hockey program.While half of it is going to facility and equipment upgrades, the other half was voted on by our team leadership group.
We’ve lined up expert help in diet, training, and even skating.Some of the guys scoffed at extra training at this point in our hockey lives, but if we can all improve by ten percent, that could be the difference in winning a championship.
Additionally, community outreach was something that Mats and I both wanted to happen.The people of St.Viola already support our team and make sure our games are sellouts, so it’s our chance to give back.Five players have sacrificed their Friday afternoon to introduce to kids to hockey in a fun way.The donation money covers insurance and admin costs.
I pull out a whistle to signal the end of the skating session and we herd the kids to the benches where their teachers and parent helpers are waiting.
A little guy skates up to me.Viktor, can you sign my jersey?You’re my favourite player.
Thanks, bud.I pat my jacket, but I wasn’t really prepared for this.
Antoine Côté, our other top defenceman, sticks a Sharpie in my face, and I bend down to sign the back of the kid’s jersey.
You always ready for autographs, Coty?I ask as I hand back the marker.
Of course.I want to get some of that sweet, sweet NIL money,he says, referring to the deal giving college athletes money from any team gear sold with their names or images.But since we’re only a D3 hockey college, it’s not like anyone is making bank.I made about a grand last year, and Coach told me that was the most any player got.
I don’t think writing my name on the back of someone’s jersey means that Monarch has to compensate me,I point out.
Damn.All the time I spent in the team store is wasted then?Coty is one of the funnier guys on our team.Well, you’re the captain and the leading scorer.You suck up all attention.
Unfortunately, signing one jersey leads to a whole bunch of kids asking for autographs.I realize they’re just stalling to stay longer at the rink, so I breeze through by signing jerseys and water bottles with only my nickname, Big Z.
How about autographing my T-shirt, Big Z?asks one of the moms.She opens her down jacket to reveal a white T-shirt that fits snugly over a large pair of breasts.
I chuckle politely.Don’t get me into trouble here.I hand the marker back to Coty again, and we skate over to help put away equipment.
Is there ever a situation where women don’t hit on Zee?Coty asks Sinc.And while I’m standing right there.
Sinc laughs.Yeah.It’s like talent and good looks count for something.
