Prologue: She had now played a handful of games at NHL level and finally people had begun to realize she indeed could mix it up with the big boys despite her smaller stature. It had taken a lot of convincing by the Red Wings management to the NHL to allow her to set foot in the big time, and as to be expected there was a lot of concern due to her age. Though if the pre-season games were anything to go by, she had shown she was up to the task. Now, teams were looking for intimidation tactics mainly to throw her off her game. So far to her own credit she’s managed handle it. The media frenzy around her continued day and night; Ashley was forced to stay at home unless she needed to be at school before Christmas break and it was driving her mad. Tonight, another game to add to the five she had already covered (vs Blackhawks, Leaf’s, Lightning, Sharks and Ducks), this time facing off against the Washington Capitals.
Chapter 1
Coach Michael Seymour anxiously glanced at the game clock; 4:08 to go in the game and his team the Auckland Steamrollers trailed their opponents, the Kansas Bay Lightning by one goal.
‘Come on, guys we can do it. One goal that is all we need,’ he said to his players at the start of their 30 second timeout.
‘How? We’ve tried everything their defense is just too good,’ Caleb Thomas said.
‘There is always a way, Caleb you just have to think outside the box that is all.’ Michael said he grabbed the whiteboard marker and made quick sketchy drawings.
‘Is that what I think it is coach?’ Ashley Pearson, the 13year-girl with shoulder-length black hair mixed with light brown copper highlights asked. He looked at her a smile on his face and nodded his head.
‘Yes, it is and you know this move better than anyone here Ashley. You’ve rehearsed it enough to know the move off by heart,’ he said she shook her head.
‘Yes, you can.’ He urged.
‘But—but that is all in practice I’ve never tried it in a game,’ she protested.
‘Well now is a good time as any to give it a go,’
‘Win the face-off first, you do that then you can set it up. Remember you have to get the opposition thinking you are aiming to dump the puck deep into their end rather then set up for the back door rush,’ he added.
‘Ok,’ she answered still not quite convinced this would work in the time they had left.
‘Good.’
Michael then turned his attention to her two-line mates James Sattler and Angelo Cotton.
‘It is your job, the both of you to keep the opponents away from her and clear the path. This won’t work if you don’t do your jobs right,’ he said the two boys nodded.
‘We got it covered coach,’ James answered. Just then the siren went off indicating the timeout was over.
‘All right guys go get them and let’s get this tied up,’ Michael said; the rest of his players sat back down on the bench while Ashley, James, Angelo and the two defensemen David Gidley and Markus Neely skated down the ice to their end of the zone. Goaltender Andrew Prince gave them an acknowledging nod when they arrived.
‘So, what’s the plan?’ he asked Markus.
‘Just wait and watch,’ Markus replied. Their opponents were now making their way over for the face-off. The guy that was taking the face off against Ashley gave her a little sneer.
‘This is just too easy,’ he said with a laugh she skated up to the spot and moved into position he did the same as the referee came between them with puck in-hand.
‘No tricks,’ the referee said giving both players pointed glares, he received short nods in return as both sticks were poised in position with eyes focused on the puck. The referee held it for a few more seconds then dropped it, it hit the ice and the sticks swiped, the puck went behind Ashley and David took control of it and dashed behind the net while James and Angelo skated to centre ice drawing the oppositions’ defense with them and Markus took the space inside their blue line. Ashley skated towards where David stood behind the net he moved out and passed the puck back to her as the Lightings’ left winger came up, though she was past him before he had a chance, and as she zipped past, she passed the puck over to James. He just narrowly avoided a hard check by the right-winger and then headed across centre ice faking a big wind up that pushed the defense back. That is when he slid the puck back between his legs just as Ashley came from behind to take control and skipped into the oppositions’ zone. She went around the defense again right across in front of the goaltender, but instead of going for the shot she pushed the puck behind the net. The defenseman went to get it, but she escaped another check and chased the puck and just managed to poke it out of the defenseman’s reach. He swung around to retrieve the puck again but using her pace she was past and came around the net, the goaltender was moving side to side but too late she saw the space and flicked the puck into the net on her backhand. The crowd was up and cheering and her line mates were ecstatic as the bench went crazy. For several seconds she stood still, stunned it had worked after all the practice her coach had her do for weeks. They headed back to the bench to join their teammates who were still cheering madly.
‘All right, all right calm down we still got a lot of work to do,’ Michael said he grabbed his board again and checked the clock 2:24, there was still time to put on a play to win forget the over time.
‘Ok Stephen we’re going with your line next,’ he said and began drawing out his new plan.
The puck was dropped at centre ice, Stephen and his line mates worked straight into the oppositions’ zone to set up, but the Lightning’s right winger was able to get the puck out of the zone forcing a retreat except he had full control and raced down the ice, it was one on one with the goaltender. He faked one way and went top shelf it was in giving the Lightning back their lead with only a minute left to play.
‘Tough luck guys you tried; it is all right though I think everyone did their best. All right, we still have another game in three days to prepare for now,’ he added as the clock wound down and the final siren sounded. The crowd slowly begun to vacate the arena and both teams headed off the ice.
‘Excuse me,’ someone spoke up.
Michael turned around to look behind him and saw two men dressed in casual clothing stood in the vacant seats behind the players’ bench separated by the glass pane.
‘Yes, can I help you gentlemen?’ Michael asked.
‘We’d like a word with you in regard to a couple of your players,’ one of the men said.
‘Yes of course,’ Michael answered he gave his assistant the go-ahead to follow the team into the rooms and then turned his attention over to the two men.
‘I’m Scott Preston and this is Oliver Riley,’ Scott said.
‘Michael Seymour,’ Michael said.
‘Pleased to meet you and now it’s down to business. We are here on the behalf of several NHL clubs. Some are in attendance of their own as well. Our job is to survey these young crops of players, assess them and see if they are of any interest of the teams. If they do, then the next steps are considered, and we will follow up.’ Oliver said he pulled out a notepad from his pocket and flipped it open.
‘The players we’ve highlighted from your team are James Sattler, Caleb Thomas and Ashley Pearson,’ he remarked, Michael was nodding his head before it registered.
‘Wait…Did you mention Pearson?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’ Michael asked.
‘We’ve been impressed with what we have seen of her in these last three weeks. That one specifically has some talent beyond her years,’ Oliver answered.
‘Yes, yes, I’m aware of that but why would any professional team be looking into her? As you guys already mentioned you work with several NHL clubs,’ Michael said.
‘Firstly, let me correct you Mr. Seymour. We are only scouting the talent pool here. We make no promises on what happens beyond passing the information to the teams. What they do with it is up to them. As for that young lady; well, she’s caught a lot of people’s attention so there could be other opportunities in the right places.’ Scott explained. Michael nodded his head, he knew what they meant, and it did make sense, Ashley ever since she started has been turning heads even back home.
‘Right well what would you like to know about them?’ he asked.
‘At the moment we just like to inform you we have highlighted those three. One of the club’s whom we’ve been talking to are the Detroit Red Wings, and they are due to come by and watch the next round of games,’ Scott explained Michael nodded, he was pleased by this, but he was certain his team wasn’t the only one being scouted.
‘Well thanks I won’t say a word to any of the players as I know it will become a distraction to them.’ He added Scott and Oliver nodded and extended their arms over the tall glass pane to shake his hand and they too quickly left the rink. Michael quickly left the bench and entered the locker room as his team finished getting changed and had their equipment packed away.
‘Right team before you leave, I just want to remind you of our next game back here on Wednesday against the local team the Tampa Bay Bulls. You have the rest of today and all tomorrow off, but I want everyone on deck for practice first thing Monday morning.’ He said with a hard glare around the room.
‘Is that clear?’
‘Yes sir!’
‘Good now go on, scram and have fun just not too much!’ Michael called as the excited chatter of the kids filed out of the room and out of the rink. There in the parking lot was the team bus and much to the surprise of the players they also found a small group of kids their own age and younger waiting nearby.
‘What’s this?’ Caleb asked moving forward, three of the young kids looked to be around five years old slowly came up to him.
‘Can we get an autograph?’ one of the boys’ asked. Caleb was so taken back he had no answer for several seconds, but James quickly came up from behind him and gave him a nudge.
‘Oh, right ok sure.’ He replied and happily signed his name. Then slowly the rest of the players were asked to do the same as well as photographs. When it was all over the youngsters ran off back to their families and the players boarded the bus.
‘That was heaps cool!’ Renee Marsh said.
‘Yeah, it was great! That was just little kids imagine if we got some hot male fans too!’ Danielle Hurst gushed, behind them the guys all groaned, and the two girls turned around to glare at them.
‘What, as if you all wouldn’t hope for female fans too.’ Danielle answered.
‘Well, we don’t wish we already have,’ James smirked back Danielle rolled her blue eyes.
‘Whatever!’ She said then she and Renee sat back in their seats. The bus driver closed the doors after the coaching staff boarded, started up the engine and turned the bus around and drove towards the exit.
~~~
It was approximately half an hour later when the team arrived back at their hotel and the players happily disembarked grabbed their bags and headed inside.
‘So, what is everyone’s plan?’ Markus asked all eyes turned on Troy Parker. He was the party animal of the group being the oldest in the team at 17years old. A big bright smiled appeared on his lips.
‘It is a good thing you asked, Mark my man because I have just the perfect plan.’ He said rubbing his hands together with glee.
‘You all meet me down at the pool.’ He added as everyone else started to make their way to the lifts to go to their rooms.
‘Ashley, you are coming downstairs later?’ Renee asked.
‘No.’
‘Aw why not?’ Danielle asked. Ashley just sighed and shook her head.
‘Just not interested in some silly party Troy does. I have work to do.’ She replied as they trudged into the lift. Renee and Danielle exchanged glances with each other; it was pretty known among the group Ashely tended to keep to herself quite a bit. She wasn’t one to mix and mingle in big social settings, sometimes burying her head into books or watching even more spot.
‘So anti-social,’ Renee mumbled but still within ear shot Ashley pretended not to hear and waited for the lift to stop off on the 7th floor. Once it did, they got out and headed to their rooms as more lift stoppages were heard and their teammates filed out laughing and making one hell of a noise. It was a great idea their coaches had gotten the team their own floor; imagine the kind of noise they would cause with other patrons. Ashley quickly got into her room closing the door, left her bags there and collapsed onto the soft double bed. She was exhausted after today’s game and though it resulted in a loss, she was glad it didn’t go to overtime. Their three previous games had gone into overtime, and they’d played those within two days of each other, and it had slowly taken its toll. Being the youngest on the team she wasn’t used to this level of competitiveness in games. She sat up after a few minutes and looked down at her bags. All the equipment needed cleaning but there would be time for that later, usually that was the job of the equipment staff and while a few of them came along for the trip; everyone was adamant for the players to learn to do things themselves when possible. Next her gaze fell upon another bag that was situated next to her luggage. A small smile appeared on her lips she knew what she wanted to do right now, stood up grabbed the bag and pulled out the pair of in-line skates.
‘No better time than now,’ she said and sat back on the bed to pull the skates then picked up her hockey stick, and a spare plastic puck. She patted her back pocket to ensure her room key and phone were there and stepped out. The hallway was bright but empty not a sole in sight. It was a tough task getting down the hallway in skates with the carpet causing friction but eventually she got to the end of the hallway to the lifts and pressed for it. The lift arrived and she got in and pressed the button for the basement car park. The coast was clear and she hit the ground fast. Skated around the parked cars, fired the plastic puck against the wall and generally had a bit of fun. She saw the exit; it was starting to get dark outside now with the late afternoon sun fading and evening began to take over. She headed out into the fading daylight and skated by people along the pathway around the front of the hotel. Taxis honked their horns when she dashed in front of their space, several people shouted obscenities as she waved in and out between them. Most of them complained about the dangers of skating on the path, others over the stick afraid it would hit an innocent bystander, but Ashley was in full control of it all and skated smoothly along the path she went by the shops. She came to a pedestrian crossing, and while waiting for the lights to change she saw just a few meters down the street on the other side of the road an old basketball court where a group of kids much older than her playing a game of in-line hockey. She was intrigued by their game having played it a lot over the years before she was allowed to play on ice. The lights changed and she crossed the road and skated down the street to the court to observe. The game was quick and the boys were very skilled at it she liked what she saw with their skills.
One of the players with curly brown hair stopped by the fence near Ashley while he caught his breath.
‘Hey!’ she called out. He turned around glaring at her leaning against the fence.
‘What do you want?’ he asked.
‘Can I join?’ she asked he shook his head and laughed.
‘Sorry girly but this game isn’t for you. Go find a nicer game to play.’ he laughed even harder and skated back his friends. Ashley was not impressed but also not surprised by his attitude. She had put up with that thinking from plenty of people ever since she took up playing ice hockey, so it was nothing new to her. Still, it annoyed her that everyone assumed this game was just for the guys.
‘Girly are you deaf? Go play some other game!’ the guy called out again; but Ashley wasn’t intimidated by him so instead she moved to the side up the short ramp leading to the court and skated towards the guys, they came fourth and encircled her.
‘You really shouldn’t come into my territory unless I say so.’ He said his tone now serious.
‘Is that a threat?’ she asked.
‘Oh, it’s more than a threat little one.’ He said.
‘Yeah, you better listen to him too,’ one of his friends’ added. Ashley shook her head and smiled.
‘I have an idea. How about I play you,’ she said pointing to the curly brown-haired guy.
‘One on one. And if you win then fine, I’ll go, but if I win you will let me play,’ she said. The guys broke out laughing.
‘Don’t be stupid you wouldn’t stand a chance,’ he said.
‘Ok so why not?’ she challenged. He thought about it she seemed serious enough to consider playing with them and he would love nothing more than to show her who is boss.
‘Fine I will accept, but if I win you are going to do what I want.’ He smirked and his friends all wolf-whistled and swapped high fives Ashley rolled her eyes.
‘Fine by me we’ll see who walks away with the victory.’ She replied.
‘Yes, we sure will,’ He agreed, and they both moved to the centre of the court. One of the guys came forwards with the ball, waited a few seconds and then dropped it. Ashley swiped first the ball went behind and she was onto it in a flash. But he was onto her quickly too trying to interfere, she spun around he was there, so she went the other way again he stayed close and got her against the fence.
‘Nobody messes with me,’ he said and stole the ball and skated towards the rubbish bin used as a goal. Ashley was too quick for him and before he got a shot off, she stole it back and went the other direction and easily flipped the ball into the other bin his friends went silent, and the brown-haired guy was speechless. Ashley ever so casually wiped the end of her stick as she skated by him.
‘You look shocked. Didn’t expect a girl could play your game?’ she asked raising her eyebrows.
‘Just get on with it.’ He snarled getting back to position at centre.
By the time the lights around the court flicked on illuminating the court Ashley had taken the one-on-one game by a score of 8-5. He shook his head in complete dismay. He had never lost a one-on-one battle especially to a girl this was more than humiliating. Ashley skated over to him and put her own plastic puck down in front of his face.
‘Maybe next time you think twice about underestimating me.’ She said he glared back at her.
‘Also, I figured you might need the puck for a little practice,’ she winked
‘See you boys around!’ She called and skated off back to the hotel.