CHAPTER 2
Ten weeks later, Dylan pushed through the large glass doors that lead into the Iron Valley hockey arena. He looked down at his right arm. His cast had finally been removed. His arm looked pale and skinny compared to his left arm.
Dylan had missed the first few weeks of the hockey season. He was happy to be back.
It’s been ten weeks, Dylan thought. I just want to get back on the ice.
As he walked toward the ice, Dylan straightened out his arm, twisting his wrist back and forth. He’d tried to practice using his hockey stick at home the day before. His arm still felt stiff.
“Dylan!” Nick shouted. Nick skated over as Dylan walked down the steps toward the ice. Their team, the Rangers, was in the middle of practice.
“The daredevil is back!” yelled Tommy. He skated toward the sidelines. A long plume of ice sprayed up as he stopped directly in front of Dylan.
“How are you feeling, buddy?” asked Nick.
“Fine,” said Dylan. “My arm is still a little weak, though. I’ll definitely need to build up strength.”
“When can you skate again?” asked Tommy.
“I can skate now,” Dylan said. “But my doctor said I shouldn’t practice with the team for another week. My arm needs to get used to being out of the cast.”
“Bummer,” Nick said. “But I guess a week isn’t too bad.”
“It means I can’t practice until the Midwinter Meltdown,” Dylan told his friends.
“That’s okay,” Tommy said. “We’re awesome right now. We’re undefeated.”
“I know,” said Dylan. “I’ve watched all the games from the bleachers, remember?”
“It’s not like he’s been living in a cave,” Nick said with a laugh.
“Hey guys! Bring it in!” Coach Erickson called from across the ice.
The entire team skated to the boards, where Coach Erickson was standing. Dylan walked over and let himself through the swinging half door to the bench.
“Let’s welcome back our teammate,” said Coach Erickson. The guys applauded. “I hear you still need to take it easy.”
“Just another week,” said Dylan.
“No problem,” said Coach Erickson. “We can wait a week to have our slap-shot star back for the Meltdown Tournament.”
“He’ll be back, all right!” said Nick.
“And what about you, team?” Coach Erickson asked. “Are we going to beat the East Lake Scouts this year and bring home the trophy?”
“Yeah!” the team shouted.
“I can’t hear you!” the coach yelled.
“YEAH!” the team shouted even louder.
“The trophy is ours!” Tommy yelled. “We’re going to win that thing and bring it home to show our moms!”
Everyone looked at him. The team was silent.
“Good one, Tommy,” said Dylan.
The players broke out in laughter.
“Good to have you back, Dylan,” said Coach Erickson.
“Good to be back, Coach,” Dylan replied.