Page 6 of The Breakaway

Dear Logan Kemp,

I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in Hockey Canada’s November Selection Camp as part of the 1994 IIHF World Junior Championship evaluation process. Your outstanding performance throughout the past season has allowed you to compete for a spot on Team Canada.

My heart picked up speed. Team Canada? Logan had been devastated when he hadn’t been selected in previous years. Last season, because of a tweaked knee.

I kept reading.

Camp Details

Dates:November 5 - December 3(upon selection after round one)

Location:Max Bell Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Arrival Date:November 4(evening check-in)

During this camp, you will be evaluated through:

On-Ice Training: Skill development sessions, tactical scrimmages, and special teams strategy work.

Off-Ice Assessments: Fitness evaluations, team-building exercises, and leadership workshops.

Exhibition Games: Pre-tournament matchups against international junior teams from Finland and Sweden (locations to be determined).

Important Note: While this invitation reflects our confidence in your potential, participation in this camp does not guarantee a spot on the final roster. Final selections will be based on your performance in practices, exhibition games, and your demonstration of character, discipline, and commitment.

If Selected for the Final Roster:

December 4-7:Travel to Europe for acclimatization and exhibition games.

December 8-23:Pre-tournament preparation in Ostrava and Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic.

December 26 - January 4:1994 IIHF World Junior Championship Tournament.

I skipped over the expectations and contact info and re-read the dates, then looked up at Logan. "Czech Republic?"

He nodded. "I have to leave in a week for Winnipeg."

Have to?“But what about school? You still have half the semester left."

He held out a hand. "This is what I've been working for, Shar. Who cares about school?"

"Who cares about school?"

He exhaled. "No. I don't mean who cares about school. I'm just saying they'll figure something out. This is why I'm here, to play hockey. They'll probably defer my classes or something. This is huge."

I sat down on the stool next to him. "Yeah. No. It's amazing. I just—sorry. It's a lot to process."

He set the letter on the counter. "Maybe I can take my finals when I get back or something."

"Two months"

He blew out a puff of air. "Yeah."

"You'll miss the holidays."

"Hey, I'll get to see Christmas in freaking Europe."

Fair. I went on a trip to Germany during high school one spring. All anybody could talk about was how amazing the Christmas markets were and how they wished we’d been there over the holidays.

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