Page 67 of Hockey 101

As I turn back to the game, Jack passes the puck to Big Z, who does some fancy stickhandling and draws two Lakeview players to him. Then he sneaks the puck to Mats, who immediately shoots it high. Unfortunately, the goalie saves it.

That looked promising. Like something the coach drew up, I say.

Hockey is a unique combination of structure and improvisation, Jacob replies.

So philosophical. Can I steal that for an article?

Not if I use it first. He tries not to preen, but Jacob likes praise as much as every writer.

Have you read any of the comments on your game stories? Not many, but they’ve been positive, thank goodness. Both Jacob and C.J. have been doing an excellent job covering our home and away games. Bryce ignores the sports section now that things are going well, and that’s a huge bonus. It feels like everything is under control, so I’m starting to look for ways to expand coverage to intramurals and prepare for track and field.

Jacob snorts. As a former troll, I know better.

God, were you an actual troll? I’ve always wanted to meet one. Tell me, why bother? What’s the point?

It’s fun. That’s all the explanation he gives me. This aloofness fits with Jacob’s personality. He won’t admit that he enjoys writing the hockey stories, even though Mats told me he does. Jacob lets me know how lucky I am to have him on board, and regularly threatens to quit. But he’s not the only stubborn one around here.

Besides, who cares what his motivations are? Tonight’s my chance to ask all my burning hockey questions.

I mentally review my list. What happens to players after they graduate? Will any of them go on to play professional hockey?

Well, nobody’s going to the NHL, if that’s what you mean. But there are other leagues. The best players might play in the SPHL, the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Is that the league below the NHL? I ask.

Jacob’s derisive snort suggests that I’m an idiot. It’s at least two leagues below, if you don’t count all the European leagues. Monarch College plays in Div III. Div I is where the top players are, the guys that have already been drafted by NHL teams, as well as guys who will go on to play in the better professional leagues.

I wish I could take notes, but that would require releasing my iron grip on the railing. I’ll recap later and hope for the best. So, we’re below Division I and Division II?

He shrugs. Eh. There used to be a Div II, but it’s basically dissolved now. And to be honest, there are guys on this team who could play Div I.

Like Big Z? Even I could tell from the first game how good the team captain is.

Yeah. He played Div I in his freshman year, but there was some kind of incident and he transferred here, Jacob says.

Oh, gossip. What happened?

No idea.

I’m not sure if he genuinely doesn’t know, or just doesn’t want to tell me. I move on. Who else?

Matsumoto, definitely. Not sure why he’s here, especially since his brother is in the NHL. Scouts love all that bloodline shit.

His brother is in the NHL? I’ve never heard anyone mention that before. It seems like something guys would brag about.

Jacob doesn’t repeat himself, so he says nothing.

Anyone else? I ask.

Maybe your boyfriend could, Jacob allows. Sinc’s already the most improved player on the team. Besides, there are never enough right-shot defencemen. It’ll probably take him at least a season or two at this level, but he’s got potential.

Jack explained the whole concept of defencemen playing specific sides of the ice, so I have a vague understanding of what right-shot means. To my untrained eye, Jack looks like one of the best defencemen on the team, but I’m biased. Though I have noticed that his playing time is increasing.

We watch Jack strip the puck from a Lakeview forward and lead a rush up the ice.

Why do you think he’s improved so much? I have my own theories based on how hard Jack works, but I’m no expert.

Jacob shrugs. A combination of factors. Understanding a new team’s systems. Coaching. Confidence. He smirks, so some insult is coming. Or maybe because he’s getting some.

---