Training camp flew by and, thankfully, Ryne’s worries about his hip were in the past as they rolled through the preseason, winning seven out of eight games.
He was definitely on a high, playing well, when he was called into the coach’s office. For the first time in his career, he was a little apprehensive. In his opinion, his preseason had been the best of his career. His thoughts had been all over the place when Raymond Oldsman, the coach of the Storm, asked to see him before leaving the facility for the day. “Hey, Ferguson,” Ray had called out after practice. Ryne, Etienne, and Philippe all turned their heads. “I need to see you—Ryne—after practice. Meet me in my office after you’ve showered and changed.”
“I wonder what that’s about,” Etienne said as he skated alongside his brother.
“I haven’t a clue,” Ryne responded.
He made his way down the tunnel towards the showers and tried his best not to question the meaning behind the meeting. When he reached his locker, he stored his equipment and walked straight towards the showers. Normally, he would take his time changing but not today. He didn’t want to keep Ray waiting.
After a quick shower, Ryne threw on his street clothes.
As he approached the closed door, he found his heart rate increasing and actually felt sweat running down his back. If he didn’t count meeting Rowena and his wedding, he hadn’t been this nervous in a long time. He pulled in his lips and knocked on the door, unsure what the future held in store.
He was surprised when Anthony Theophilos, the Storm’s general manger, opened the door. Ryne thought he’d been nervous before; his heart rate escalated even more when his eyes landed on Anthony.
Anthony reached out his hand. “Hey there, Ryne. Come on in.”
Ryne eased his way through the door, his senses on high alert. His eyes immediately sought out Ray along with Assistant Coach Ty Randspeed. His eyes scanned the room further, landing on Head Trainer Oscar Tomas. He couldn’t imagine what he’d done. His thoughts were all over the place. Why are they all here? I thought I was meeting with Ray only. Am I playing that badly?
Ryne grew tenser as he took in the scene before him. “Have a seat, Ryne.” Have a seat? Maybe I should just stand. If I’m being traded again? What will Dad think? What about Mom? And Jen? She’s just getting settled.
“We wanted to touch base with you before our opening game tomorrow night.”
“Okay?” he said questioningly as he ran his finger along the neck of his shirt. He was getting hotter by the second. I’m going to let them do all of the talking. I’ll sit here and see exactly what they want. And then he thought even further. Adam’s not here. Maybe I’m not being traded.
All four men were staring at him. “You can breathe, Ryne. We aren’t the firing squad.” Ray stated. Ryne knew he must look a sight. He took a breath as instructed.
“And stop worrying. You’re not being traded,” Anthony chimed in right behind Ray. “In fact, there are a few things we’d like to speak to you about, and one of them is your contract. But you and I can have that discussion after we’re done here,” Anthony added as he reached for a bottle of water that sat on the table behind him. “You look warm,” he said as he handed it to Ryne.
Ryne unscrewed the cap and took a long swallow of the cold water. It felt like heaven going down his throat. At least I’m not being traded. He wants to talk about my contract. That’s good, I think.
“So…we decided to have a sit down with you since the preseason is over.” Ryne listened to Anthony. “I have to say we’re impressed with what we’ve seen so far. You definitely came prepared to play.”
“I trained hard this offseason.”
“It shows,” Ray spoke up. “I like what I see out there, Ryne. I’ve looked at game footage from your past preseasons, and I have to say I think this is your best yet. You’re really on your game.”
Ryne nodded as he listened to Ray. “Your hip doesn’t seem to be bothering you.”
“It’s good, really good. I haven’t felt this good in a very long time.” Ryne looked towards Oscar, hoping for some added support.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully you’ll stay out of my office,” Oscar commented with a half-smile.
“It seems married life agrees with you.”
Ryne smiled broadly back at Anthony. “It certainly does and I think Jen is adjusting well with the move and all.”
“Glad to hear,” Anthony added.
“Putting all pleasantries aside.” Ryne turned towards Ray. He held his breath again unsure what to expect. Now what? He’s going to drop the hammer. I’m not being traded…what else could it be?
“So the real reason why I, better we, brought you in here was this…”
Ryne looked Ray directly in the eye. He realized he could take whatever he threw at him— good or bad. “Didn’t I just tell you to breathe?” Ray asked.
“You did.”
“Well, do it. Haven’t you figured out by now we’re not the firing squad?”
“I have.”
“Then what’s got you so nervous? You look like you could keel over?”
“Ahh, I’d have to say I’ve never had a meeting like this before. Being new and all…”
“Stop fretting, will you? The main reason we called you in here was to touch base with you, see how you’re feeling, how you’re adjusting to the team and all. But most of all, we want you to wear an ‘A’ on your jersey and be one of the alternate captains on the team.”
Ryne almost jumped from his seat. He was taken aback by the leadership role they wanted to give him. He was new. His brothers had been here forever and were alternate captains too. “So what do you have to say?”
“I’m surprised. I’m the new guy.”
“Yeah, you’re the new guy with loads of experience. We haven’t forgotten your past leadership roles. You played a significant role on the Eagles and the Generals, and we need that leadership here. We have a team that can go all the way. You are a team player and role model for all. We need your guidance to take us there. The question is are you up for the challenge?”
Ryne was speechless. He was blown away with the confidence they had in his abilities.
“Well, cat got your tongue? What do you say? How do you feel about being a team captain?”
Ryne ran his tongue across his lips. It was rare that he’d be asked to fulfill this role in his first year with the team. He believed he needed to gain the trust with his teammates, but he also realized that management had seen something in him that convinced them he could do the job.
“I’d be honored to be a team captain. I’ve already told my family that this is our year to win the Stanley Cup. Thank you for the confidence you’ve shown me. I’ll do my best to make this a reality.”
Ryne stood and shook hands with them. “Again, thank you for this opportunity.”
“I guess we had you going there for a minute— with all of us practically ganging up on you.”
Ryne swallowed the rest of his water. “You certainly did, Anthony. I wasn’t sure what I was in for when I saw the four of you. I’d have to say I was a tad nervous.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about. We all know how much you want to be here playing for the Storm. I know it’s been your lifelong dream. You never gave up, and I have to say I respect you for reaching out to both me and Adam. Plus, you had Ed in your corner. He loves Jen and wants her to be happy. It’s a win all the way around. Now, go out there and be the player we know you can be. Lead us on to becoming the next champions of the NHL.”
Ryne clasped Anthony’s hand and walked out the door feeling energized. He’d just been given the title of alternate captain for his team. He was elated and couldn’t wait to share the news with Jen. But first, Ray had called a team meeting where his brothers would be the first to learn his news.
He knew his brothers would be excited for him. The three of them would do a hell of a job leading the team along with Team Captain Josh Ulteria.
Ray led the charge into the locker room where all of the players sat listening to loud music, waiting for the meeting to begin.
Ryne caught his brothers’ eyes as he followed Ray into the room. Etienne quirked his brow at his twin while Philippe shook his head. His brothers were as clueless as he’d been just moments earlier.
The meeting was short by Ray’s standards. He reiterated the team goals for the year, discussed the game plan for their opening game, and introduced Ryne as one of the alternate captains. All of his teammates seemed overjoyed that he’d been chosen as a team leader and role model. He had a phenomenal reputation in the league and everyone, including his brothers, respected his game.
Etienne was the first to congratulate Ryne. “Hey little brother, congrats.” Ryne always hated it when he referred to him like that. They were twins for god’s sake.
“Etienne, you’re only five minutes older than me, not years like you let everyone believe.”
“Stop it you two.” Philippe slapped Ryne on the back. “What an honor. We’re in the best of company with you wearing an ‘A’ too. Who’d have thought— all three of us being alternate captains?”
“I have to say I was taken by surprise. Let’s just say I was a little concerned when Ray asked to meet with me.” He ran his hand along his jaw. “When I was greeted at the door by Anthony, I was sure I was being traded again.”
“You need to put those thoughts out of your mind. You’re here for the long haul.”
“Phil, I think I am,” he smiled broadly. “Plus, Anthony wants to talk contract so hopefully that means an extension.”
“Sounds that way to me, little brother,” Etienne said laughingly. “It’s all going to work out. Just keep playing like you have and all will be good.”
Ryne couldn’t wait to meet up with Jen. She’d come to town with him, dropped him off at the arena, and shopped while he was practicing. Ryne texted her that he was done for the day, and minutes later she met him at the player’s entrance.
She pulled to the curb and he hopped into the car. He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. “Good practice?” she asked as she leaned over kissing his cheek.
“The best. You’ll never guess what happened.”
“You upended Etienne?”
Ryne burst out laughing. “Ah, no. Why would I do that to my brother?”
“Pay back maybe?”
“We’re well past that although I wish he’d quit referring to me as his little brother.”
“Well you are, aren’t you?”
“Why do you keep taking his side?”
“I wasn’t aware that I was…”
He was in too good a mood to fight over Etienne. He placed his hand on her leg. “Changing subjects,” he said as he squeezed her thigh. “I have some good news, great news if I have to say so myself.”
“Out with it then.”
“I was called into a meeting with Ray, Anthony, Ty, and Oscar.”
“That sounds serious.”
“I was a little concerned, especially when Anthony opened the door. I have to say I haven’t been that nervous since our wedding.”
“I didn’t think you were nervous,” she said in jest. “You told me you weren’t nervous at all.”
“Well, I was. So anyway, they started questioning me. I thought for sure I was going to be traded again and then they asked me…”
“Asked you what?” She turned in her seat and rested her hand on his arm.
“To be an alternate captain.”
“You get to wear an “A?”
“Yep, I do.”
“Ryne, that’s awesome.” She flung her arms around his neck and planted a loud kiss against his check. “But you’re new to the team.”
“I know. I was totally flabbergasted when they suggested it. They’re impressed with my background and my play during the preseason. They want me to be a role model.”
“Wow. That’s fabulous.” She brushed her hand along his arm.
“And I have even better news.” Ryne grabbed ahold of her hand. “Anthony wants to talk contract. I’m hoping for an extension. I’ve got to call Adam. I wonder if he knows about all of this.”
“Probably not or he would have forewarned you.”
“Jen, if I get an extension…That would be icing on the cake. I can finish my career in Calgary.”
“Don’t go jumping to conclusions until you speak with Anthony. But, yeah, it does sound good.”
“Baby, they want me to lead the Storm to the Championship. Bring a Stanley Cup to the team. Do you know what that means to me?”
“I think I do.” She leaned over and pulled him into a hug. “I’m so proud of you. I think this trade was meant to be.” She planted a kiss on his cheek. “Come on, let’s go celebrate.”