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Pete turned toward the players. “Let’s all head to Lou’s. I owe you guys a drink.”
"Yeah, let's do it," I agreed.
We burst through the door of Lou's, the ocean breeze wafting in behind us. The place wasn't exactly upscale, but it was pure Cold Pines. A few patrons were already at the bar, heads turning as our noisy group filled the space.
"Hey, look who's here. It’s the conquering heroes,” Lou, the bar owner, shouted over the music as we walked in. He was a stout guy with a salt-and-pepper beard, his eyes always twinkling like he was in on some eternal joke.
"Damn right," Pete said, high-fiving Lou in a quick, friendly greeting as we approached the counter to order.
As I ordered a round of drinks, I felt a hand slap my back. "Hoss, you think we really did it?" It was Jensen.
"Did it? Hell, we knocked it out of the park," I grinned, passing him one of the beers.
"Or scored a hat trick," added Waller.
“Hat tricks are old news," Jensen announced. "We're making new history here.”
Pete lifted his beer high, catching everyone's attention. "To staying home," he toasted.
We all joined in and clinked our glasses and bottles. “To staying home.”
"Never doubted it for a second," said Taylor, the youngest of the group, sipping his soda because he wasn’t yet 21. "This town loves us too much."
"Don't get cocky," warned Jensen. "Still got a season ahead of us. Staying put's one thing; winning's another."
"I'll drink to that," I said. It was a good point, and everyone knew it. "New season, new opportunities, but same home."
"And same coaches," added Pete, looking toward me as he spoke. "You're stuck with us."
The guys cheered again.
"After the year we had? We wouldn't have it any other way," Jensen declared. "You guys are like the dynamic duo of hockey coaching."
Pete snorted. "If we're Batman and Robin, which one is which?"
"I call Batman," I said, without missing a beat. Pete’s eyes twinkled—an inside joke that only we understood
"As long as nobody's the Joker, I'm good," Taylor added.
We all shared another laugh, and the conversation flowed into other topics—the upcoming season, summer workout plans, and the latest adventures planned for summer breaks.
After the players took off, still whooping it up while they spilled into the street, Pete and I hung back. We had a town-wide announcement to plan, and there was no time like the present.
* * *
That evening, we gathered for a press event at the Cold Pines Cougars Arena. Word got around the town quickly, and the place was packed even though it was off-season.
We stood at the center of the covered rink. Pete took the mic first. The crowd went wild when he confirmed that the team was staying put. The noise level was off the charts.
Then I took the mic. "We're not just your coaches; we're members of this community," I told the crowd, "And we're not going anywhere. This is our home.” I had to pause as the crowd's cheers reached a deafening volume.
I passed Pete the mic, sensing that the crowd was eager for more substance. "Alright, since you all are giving us such a warm reception, let me add a bit more to what to expect from your hometown team in the future.
I watched as many in the crowd moved to the edges of their seats.
"First, we're going to roll out a community engagement program. We want our players involved in Cold Pines, attending events, and volunteering—strengthening our bond with all of you. So, you'll be seeing a lot of us around, and not just on the ice."
Approving murmurs and nods swept through the crowd.
