Page 2 of Off the Stick
This sport and career are about learning to trust and depend on your team.That bond starts in the locker rooms before we even hit the ice.
I slip off my practice jersey and throw it in the laundry basket so our equipment manager can grab it later and get it cleaned.My game day jersey is already hanging up in preparation for the preseason game tonight against LA.
It’s the beginning of the new season and we’re coming back from our summer vacations refreshed and ready to kick ass and work our way back to the playoffs.Last year was hard fought but we just couldn’t make it happen in the end.
That’s life when you’re playing in the big leagues.You need the magic and team dynamic to win.It also requires elite players who forge a relationship on and off the ice and a bit of the hockey gods’ favor to achieve team success.
“Sure, bruh,” I chuckle, slipping my pads over my shoulders to hang them up.“Whatever you say.You don’t have to try to convince us of anything.”
The chirps, jabs and banter continue for a while longer as the team goes about our post-practice hygiene rituals before we head out for personal time before the game.
Since I felt a crimp develop in my left shoulder blade today, I head to where our massage therapist Kip is working on the guys.I’m hoping some soft tissue work will loosen things up before tonight.I got hit hard into the boards during our last game and it’s been giving me hell ever since.
I suppose I’ve been luckier than most when it comes to injuries.Aside from a few minor sprains and bruises here and there—and the broken front tooth last season—I’ve not suffered the same consequences that my teammates have endured from playing this sport.It can really beat a guy up.
Taking survey of the room while I wait for Kip to finish with Brett Cannfield, another Vikings D-man, I note the number of guys who have had surgeries and been out for weeks or sometimes months as they recover.
Soren “Wolf” Wolfenspiel, our goalie, was laid up with a major groin injury.That one sucked because Volmer isn’t as lithe as Soren.That man pounces on a puck like a wolf on its prey.But damn, groin injuries are no joke.A guy can’t even have sex for at least six weeks during the recovery period.
Jesus, how would I ever survive that?Hopefully, I’ll never have to find out.
Then there’s Costa, who’s probably my best friend on the team and my partner-in-crime forward and 2-way winger, who had knee surgery two years ago and is just getting back to where he left off.I teased that heCosta’dus a lot of games during his recovery period.He didn’t think it was so funny.
And Cannfield, or Canners as we call him, had a concussion that kept him out of multiple games last season.
I take a seat to wait, feeling lucky about my nonspecific injuries.Knock wood.
Outside of the injuries that set us back a little in the standings, I couldn’t be happier with the great team of guys I’m playing with right now.We’ve all gelled and work well together out on the ice.And we all get along off the ice, too.With Ballas at the helm as our GM, and Coach Thomas and his strong coaching staff, I honestly believe we have a shot at the championship this year.
Wouldn’t that be fucking nice?After being on the Chicago team, where we were the worst in the league, I helped get the Vikings into the playoffs my first season here.
I’m surfing my phone, still waiting for a massage and thinking about last season, when Grant Theroux, our assistant coach, walks into the center of the room, completely in team gear.He looks like a walking billboard for Vikings-style men’s fashion.
“Alright boys, listen up.Coach T has called a team meeting.You’ve got five minutes to finish up and get your asses in chairs.”
Groans and curses can be heard around the locker room as Coach Theroux leaves, the door banging behind him.
“Fuck, man.There go my plans,” laments Canners, who hastily jumps off the table and reaches for his shorts, pulling his phone out from his pocket.“I still need to pick out a gift for Jeanette before I get home.It’s our ten-year anniversary, and we’re going out after the game to celebrate.”
“Someone’s not gonna get laid tonight,” Volmer chirps as he walks by.
I stride by and thump his back with my palm.“Sucks to be you, bro.That’s why I don’t have a wife or a girlfriend.I don’t need anyone being mad at me for putting hockey first.”
Canners scowls.“Someday, Ax, you’ll want just that.Your priorities will change when the right woman comes along.”
“Whatever you say, Canners.But don’t hold your breath.”
2
Halle
“Welcome to the Vancouver Vikings organization, Halle.”
My new boss, Trevor Wilkes, greets me warmly with a bright smile affixed to his mustached face as he shakes my hand.I exhale the breath I’d been holding since walking into the building this morning and return his smile.
“How was the move?Did you get settled in okay?”
I nod, absently rubbing my lower back.Somehow, even after my two younger brothers did most of the heavy lifting, I managed to tweak it while moving furniture into my new place this past weekend.And that was the easy part.
