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LATE MARCH
I’ve dreamt about this day for months, but I never thought I’d be as nervous as I am.
I have my first official meeting with the Los Angeles Snowflakes head coach tonight. They’re my top pick team, out of the ten other NHL teams that reached out to me in the last three years.
I’ve been helping Brock and Hunter prepare for their meetings with coaches this week. We have three more months until Draft Day, and the pressure is building up. The one thing I’m nervous about is if they’ll ask me about my stats this season. The stats that are practicallynon-existentthis season.
“You good, Larson?”
Hunter’s adjusting his tie when he walks into the living room. He looks sharp. He’s meeting with the San Francisco Snakes in an hour, and Brock’s meeting with them tomorrow.
“Yeah, I’m chill. Just...nervous for tonight,” I laugh. I helped them prepare so much that I wasn’t even focused on howI’lldo tonight.
He chuckles and continues struggling with his tie. “Ah, don’t be nervous, dude. The Snowflakes have wanted you since the first time you got us to the championships as a sophomore. You’re good, bro.”
His words of encouragement onlyslightlywork. But I have a feeling my past marijuana and shrooms use will come up at some point. There’s a chance they’ll ask why I was suspended for the season.
“It’s more than that, Rosen. But I don’t wanna talk about it right now.”
He gives me a confused look before he shrugs, content with his tie.
“If you say so. I have to head out in a second, but cheer up. We’re close to Draft Day, dude. I don’t get why you’re not more excited.”
I don’t get why either. I’m meeting with the team that I’ve wanted to play for ever since I was a kid. But...something just feelsoff.
“I’m fine, bro. Go kick ass at this meeting.”
He chuckles at me before patting my shoulder. “Cheer up, dude. If all goes well, we’ll go to the bar tonight.”
I’m tempted to say no. But depending on what happens after my meeting, I’ll decide.
I just nod at him and look back at the TV. I hear the front door shut and realize I’m finally alone.
You have to get out of this slump, Jake.
Sighing, I get up from my couch to change. I need to make a pit stop.
“What’d you call this meeting for, Larson?” My coach is pouring coffee into a mug. His campus house is nice. It’s like a mini mansion. Some of the faculty have homes on campus, and they’re basically small villas. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you until Draft Day.”
“Well, even though I’m not playing, I’m still the captain of the team, Coach. Have been for two years.”
He lets out a sigh before sitting down on the chair across from me. “So why’d you wanna call this meeting?”
I let out a breath. I haven’t had a heartfelt conversation in a while.
“Tonight, I’m meeting with the Snowflakes’ head coach.” His reaction is a simple nod as if to sayI’m listening. “I just need...a bit of coaching for it.”
“You need a crash course on how to speak to a coach?” he asks incredulously. “Isn’t your dadDan Larson? He hasn’t told you how to meet with coaches?”
I flinch when my dad’s name comes up. I forget that everyone looks up to my dad, the Hall of Famer.If only they knew...
“No, my dad hasn’t taught me how to talk to professional coaches. I’m askingyou, my coach, what I can expect.”
He’s just staring at me, drinking from his mug. After a few seconds, he sets it down on the coffee table and sits back in his chair.
“Larson...I’ve coached you for four years, son. You’re an extremely talented hockey player. That’s why I made you captain your junior year.”
