Chapter 4
The remainder of the first week was focused on fitness training. It was quite the test of fitness levels and endurance of the players, and everyone got through it without issues. As for the three youngsters it took its toll, but they fought on un-willing to let it get the better of them.
Arrangements had now been made for the second week of training to be moved back to Detroit with more of the focus on the hockey side of things. The three youngsters’ parents were also invited over to watch, and it was all organized very quickly where they would stay and for how long. But little did the kids know that behind the scenes of training with the big boys the serious side of their presence was being considered. Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Illitch were in constant conversation with the coaching staff and senior players about the three kids, they discussed their strengths and weaknesses and their skill sets, and that was the focus for this week.
Michael left Barry in-charge of the Steamrollers for their third-round games, as he felt it important to be there for his three best players as the serious stuff in the training got underway. Everyone was on the flight from Tampa Bay to Detroit except for the kids’ parents they would go to Detroit directly and meet the group there.
‘How cool is this?’ Caleb remarked to James and Ashley the three of them sat together for the flight and he was being a constant pain for his teammates.
‘Do you ever get tired of talking Cal?’ James groaned he grabbed the pillow to cover his ears to try and get to sleep but Caleb ignored the comment Ashley wasn’t asleep she had her Discman on listening to music and never heard a word. Caleb un-buckled his seatbelt and went for a walk down the aisle, most of the Red Wings players were in the next cabin though a few were spread out in different seating areas, Caleb couldn’t resist popping by to see if he could gain some inside information. Un-noticed by any of the air stewards he slipped into a vacant seat sat there motionless for a few seconds and then peeked over the head rest of the seat in front, he spotted Kris, Nicklas and Doug, a couple of rows away they looked involved in quite a serious discussion. Caleb inched his way close to the three guys to try and eavesdrop on the conversation. Eventually he had managed to maneuver his way close enough and sat in the seat behind them.
‘… what do you think of Thomas?’
‘He has plenty of skill, but I get the feeling he is not utilizing it enough.’
‘Yeah, I got that impression as well, we will see more of it this week I hope so. He just needs to stop trying to outplay the girl first. He gets too caught up with wanting to prove who is better between them,’
Caleb shook his head. * They are wrong I must prove it. She won’t get the better of me here! * He thought.
‘About the girl she has got quite the potential,’
‘Hell yeah, she’s got the goods I can see it. It is too bad she can’t play in the big league because already I have the feeling she could be quite the star,’
Caleb gagged he had a problem with girls playing the game and especially Ashley. He hated the fact everyone always talked about her and not him, he always felt he was the better player in all areas. Now to hear the professionals talk about her it agitated him, yet he stayed quiet and continued to listen in.
‘Kris you are getting a bit too attached to that kid,’
‘Hey, I resent that Nick and it is nothing like what you are trying to suggest.’
‘I heard Scotty talk to her coach, and he was saying she’s played at Center, and right wing occasionally on the left.’
‘I heard that too, so it’d be interesting to see how Scotty sorts it out first thing tomorrow,’
By now Caleb had enough he muttered under his breath and very quickly slipped out of the cabin back to his own seat. Ashley, who had finished listening to her music looked up when he sat down in his chair a grumpy look on his face.
‘What’s wrong with you?’ she asked he only grunted in reply; she shrugged her shoulders.
‘Hey, don’t get too comfy I got to get out,’ she added and packed her belongings away and squeezed past James and Caleb into the aisle. She looked around at the rows of seats around most of the passengers were asleep, reading or watching one of the many channels on their TV screens. She gave a stretch and walked down the aisle and past one of the crew areas.
‘Miss Pearson,’
Startled she turned around to look and in the row of seats to her left-hand side were her coach Michael sitting with the Red Wings assistant coach Dave.
‘Uh…hi.’ She said.
‘What is wrong Ashley, unable to sleep?’ Michael asked she nodded.
‘Yeah, there is so much going on.’ She answered Michael nodded and she continued down the aisle. Most of the players were asleep, so she kept as quiet as possible not to disturb and wake anyone up.
‘So, look who is up.’
Ashley once again turned and saw the familiar face of Kris from his seat, still conversing with Steve and Nicklas, the other two kept talking.
‘Why are you still up?’ she asked.
‘We’re busy having a discussion,’ he said with a little grin.
‘Actually, we could do with your opinion.’ Nick said; Ashley cocked her eyebrows curious, but nonetheless they encouraged her to come she tentatively moved through the row of seats until she got to them and sat.
‘How do you rate your team’s chances in the tournament?’ Steve asked.
‘Pretty good, I guess. Into Round 3 should be fun for the others at least. They’ve all played big games.’ She said she narrowed her eyes when she noticed the three guys exchange smiles.
‘What?’
‘Don’t worry about it.’ Kris remarked.
*~*~*
‘Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking we are now beginning our decent into Detroit right now. The weather is overcast with light rain and it just after 5am local time,’ the captain said. Caleb got up and nudged his teammates awake; James pushed his hand away and Ashley mumbled in her sleep.
‘Hopeless the two of them.’ He said and just then Michael appeared he shook them awake.
‘Wh… What?’ James grunted he rubbed his eyes.
‘We are about to lands kids it’s time to get up,’ Michael remarked James and Ashley were now fully wide awake and started to get organized while Caleb just remained in his seat he was prepared well in advance. They felt the plane begin it’s decent from the clouds they looked out the window at the damp gray clouds and the drizzle of rain that beat against the window and below it was enveloped in darkness bar a few lights; they were still on the out skirts of the city.
Eventually more of the city came into view with it tall skyline against a black sky and within a few seconds the plane was level with the buildings and the wheels touched the ground and the plane raced along the runway. After a couple of minutes, the plane came to a slow crawl heading towards the airport, several other aircrafts were already parked.
‘We’re here now.’ Ashley whispered.
‘Right, kids come on. I’m sure your parents are looking forward to seeing you later today.’ Michael remarked. As the number of passengers lessened, he indicated to the youngsters they get a move on, and they headed to the exit, down the tarmac and into the airport, clusters of passengers from other flights were also Dave waved to Michael indicating where the rest of group were Michael and the kids joined up and everyone headed out to the luggage area. It didn’t take long for their luggage’s to be collected; they passed through customs and headed off out to the arrival hall it was like a ghost town there hardly a soul in sight though for such early hours of the morning it came as no surprise. Once the group got outside of the airport the morning chill swept through unusual for a summer day, the players soon moved off to meet their wives and partners that had come to pick them up some others headed home as a group. Michael and the kids stayed with the coaching staff though they got into the van that had come to park on the curb side.
‘We arranged for your parents to stay at the Hilton for the week, and you all have your rooms there as well,’ Greg said.
‘That is cool! Can we order room service too?’ Caleb asked.
‘Thomas that is enough,’ Michael growled embarrassed by the display of young Caleb, he slumped in his seat and stared out the window.
‘I apologize for his behavior of late he isn’t usually like this,’ Michael remarked the van went quiet.
The drive into downtown Detroit city took about 45minuts, and it wasn’t long before the van finally pulled up directly in front of the hotel.
‘Kids wake up we’re here.’ Michael said they stirred awake and rubbed their eyes. Two of the hotel’s bell boys came down the steps one holding the door open and the other started to unload the bags, Michael, the three youngsters and the Wings coaching staff exited the van and climbed the steps inside. The Hilton is a fancy hotel with its shining marble floors; elaborate lightning and decorations throughout the lobby, and even the reception desk looked specially done just for the hotel. Greg and Dave headed over to the reception desk to finalize the rooms and while they did that Ashley got her phone to ring her parents.
‘Hi mom, we’re in the hotel downstairs. Yeah, ok our rooms are just getting sorted and I will come and see you,’ she said. Scotty and Michael had a quick conversation then Scotty walked off in the direction of the hotel’s restaurant; Dave and Greg returned from the reception and handed the set of room keys to Michael.
‘Well, we hope you enjoy your stay, and also kids have a good rest because this afternoon at about 2:30pm we will run our first session,’ Dave said, James and Caleb moaned about it being too soon but as soon as they started, they stopped seeing their coach giving them a firm glare.
‘Thank you, for doing all this, it is more than we would’ve ever expected.’ Michael remarked Dave and Greg nodded they shook hands, and the two men walked off in the same direction Scotty had gone.
‘Are they staying here too?’ Ashley asked Michael shook his head.
‘No, they have a meeting with someone, but Scotty didn’t give any details,’ he answered.
‘Anyway, kids come on let’s get some rest and you can see your parents I have their room numbers as well.’ He added they walked off to the lifts.
Ashley closed the door to her own room on the 5th floor; she dumped her bags by the door and took a good look around the room. The carpet was a rich cream color though it had a plush Red Indian rug on the top; while at the far end of the room was the tinted window, partially covered by forest green curtains. To her right was a closed wooden door curiously she turned the knob and poked her head around the door into the bathroom/laundry area. A porcelain toilet in the right-side corner, a glassed shower cubicle and a vanity granite bench top and basin with gold brass handles on the cupboard and drawers and the hand towel rail. Even the heated towel rail next to the shower was brass. A see-through glass door just beyond the basin she assumed was the laundry.
‘Not bad,’ she said and closed the door. Next, she walked further into the room to see the king-size four poster bed with four fluffed up pillows against the headboard and a light baby blue donor it certainly looked inviting.
‘I’ll just close my eye for half an hour,’ she said kicked off her shoes, shrugged off her jacket and climbed onto the bed and lay down instantly her tired body melted against the soft mattress within seconds she was sound asleep.
*~*~*
‘Ashley, Ashley wake up.’
A hand against her shoulder gave her a soft shake.
‘Go away,’ she mumbled.
‘Honey it is 12:30pm you need to get up,’ the gentle voice of her mother became a little clearer. It took several seconds before her words finally registered in her head and suddenly, she sat up.
’12:30 crap! I don’t have time!’ she shrieked she jumped from the bed almost knocking her mother over as she ran to her bags and un-zipped them.
‘Sweetheart don’t panic there is still plenty of time. Michael told your father and I about some practice that’s being organized later this afternoon,’ her mother replied.
‘Exactly and that’s 2hours away not enough time at all mom. There is so much to do. Get ready, eat and whatever it is coach has planned for us before then,’ Ashley said she didn’t look up while she continued rummage through for a fresh set of clothes her mother put hands on hips.
‘Ashley Erin Pearson,’
Ashley stopped and turned around her mother rarely called her by her full name unless she was mad.
‘Honey, I think you are overreacting just a bit here.’ Her mother said.
‘There is lots of time don’t worry so how about spending some of that with your father and me?’ she asked Ashley nodded and lowered her head.
‘Sorry mom,’ she remarked.
‘It is all right honey now go and get ready then you and I will head downstairs your father is waiting with James and Caleb’s parents,’
Ashley groaned.
‘Do we have to hang out with them? I’ve seen enough of those guys lately.’ She said.
‘Well, I don’t know what is being organized but I’m sure we all won’t be together.’ Her mother answered. * Hope not! *Ashley thought she found a pair of denim shorts and a vest top and headed to the bathroom.
A few minutes later Ashley and her mother arrived in the hotel’s main lobby they walked over the meeting lounge with its luxury couches that’s where her stepdad Daniel was along with Richard and Judith Thomas, Caleb’s parents and Walter and Tania Sattler, James’s parents.
‘Afternoon sleepyhead,’ Daniel smiled at her, Ashley pulled a face.
‘Thanks dad,’ she replied rolling her eyes at him.
‘At least you’re up before the boys they still aren’t even ready,’ Tania remarked she shook her head. Catalin, Ashley’s mother turned to her husband.
‘Dear maybe we should go now?’ she suggested he frowned, at first not understanding what she meant.
‘Oh yes sure.’ He remarked and stood up and looked at the other parents.
‘Well, we will see you later this afternoon, I’m sure.’ He replied.
‘Yes, yes we will you guys have a good day.’ Richard remarked, Daniel Catalin and Ashley made their way out of the hotel her parents were quick to flood her with questions about the last few weeks she struggled to answer everything it was all too much.
‘Enough with the questions already,’ she moaned her parents smiled.
‘You can’t blame us dear there is so much going on around you we’ve been kept out of the loop,’ her mother said.
‘Yeah, and if you had all come on this trip earlier then maybe you would know everything,’ Ashley said the knowing look her parents shared confirmed they knew that was coming their way.
‘Honey it is not as though we didn’t want to come but—‘her mother began but Ashley just shook her head.
‘I know, Mark and Danni are doing so well you guys had to be there for them too,’ she said.
‘Yes, and your brother and sister are doing great in their studies. Mark wanted to come with us, but he has exams on and your sister is in her final year of high school now,’ her stepdad explained.
‘I know,’ she said.
‘What about these professional players are they being nice to you?’ her mother asked.
‘Yeah, they’ve been great. I don’t think they treat me any differently to anyone else, besides I just like learning off them,’ Ashley replied.
‘Remember you can’t expect anything more at the end of the week,’ her stepdad reminded she nodded.
‘Yeah, coach told us from the minute we agreed.’ Still Ashley had to admit at least to herself, that the prospect of something happening would be even better.
*~*~*
The van pulled into the parking lot just outside of Joe Louis Arena; home of course to the Detroit Red Wings.
‘Look at the size of it,’ James remarked everyone got out of the van and the three kids could only stare up at the large building at the way it loomed above them leaving them in awe.
‘Ok.’ Greg said.
‘Parents if you will follow me please and kids you stay with Scotty and Dave.’ He said and he took the kids’ parents up the flight of steps through the main entrance of the arena.
‘Kids we’re headed this way,’ Dave remarked they followed the two older men across the car park and around the side of the building to a back entrance.
‘On game days this whole area is full of cars and sometimes fans as well so for the most part there will be security guards by this door,’ Dave explained. They walked into a very dimly lit hallway; there was nothing here except for the overhead lights of poor quality. Scotty lead the way this time he took them down the hallway and turned the corner into another hallway, this one had much better lighting, and the walls were decorated with framed photographs of previous players and successful teams of the past. At the end of the hallway, it split into two sides and just beyond that they could see part of the seating inside of the arena.
‘When you’re ready come and join us on the ice.’ Scotty said he and Dave left the kids in the hallway and entered the main arena.
‘Well, I don’t know about you two but I’m not going to stand around,’ Caleb said and slung his equipment bag over his shoulder again and walked to the dressing room on the left James shook his head as he watched on.
‘He always thinks he is Mr. Cool and can’t do a thing wrong,’ he answered.
‘Yeah well who cares, we have better things to do than worry about him,’ Ashley remarked and she took her own bag to the room on the right; James with a shrug of his shoulder went to the same room Caleb did.
Out, in the main part of the arena Dave and Scotty took their spots on the bench, most of the Red Wings players were on the ice along with the trainers. While Greg, Michael and the youngsters’ parents had a good view from their seats on the first level. Greg explained to them what was going to happen today for all the players.
Ashley, James and Caleb met up again when they were ready, but as usual Caleb strode ahead of the other two, they followed him towards the bench both annoyed at his callus attitude towards them.
‘Ok, kids now this warmup is going to be a little different than what we have done previously,’ Scotty said he nodded out on the ice. The trainers had set up a set of three cones from the blue line on either side of the ice; at center ice was a mass stack of pucks and the two goaltenders; Kevin and Chris were in the goal ready to go and the rest of the players stood at center ice.
‘Just watch them first,’ Scotty replied he gave the nod, the first two players in the group; Brendan Shanahan and Tomas Sandstrom skated down the ice, one went the far end the other player to the near side. When they reached the final gone, they turned and straight in one motion they each flicked a shot on the goal. Easy save for both goaltenders though they had to be quick with their reaction.
‘That is a piece of cake,’ Caleb scoffed Scotty raised his eyebrows as he looked upon the young man next to him.
‘Are you sure about that Mr. Thomas?’ he asked Caleb nodded his head Scotty gave a smile.
‘Be my guest young man. Let us see how you go.’ He remarked. Caleb with a huge grin on his face skated out to center with the rest of the group, and without even waiting he got a puck and headed down ice. His speed off the mark was good he swung around at the far cone and flicked the puck upwards on his backhand, but he’d put too much power in the shot, and it flew right over the net. It was a complete miss. James and Ashley quietly laughed and exchanged high-fives.
‘That should teach him,’ James said. Scotty then looked to the two.
‘How about you two then? Keen to have a go and make a better play then your friend?’ he quizzed.
‘Sure.’ James answered he and Ashley headed onto the ice, Caleb was getting some helpful advice over his shooting from Dallas Drake.
‘You and me, then Ash?’ James asked when the pair got to center ice.
‘Yep.’ She answered they both got pucks, they were just as quick as each other down opposite ends of the ice. They turned simultaneously and fired their shots, James’s one just managed to sneak through Kevin’s pads while Ashley had gone top shelf to beat Chris’s out-stretched hand. Caleb had watched this unfold he shook his head.
‘Stupid showoffs, I’ll get them eventually.’ He muttered, Joe (Joey) Kocur and Vyacheslav (Slava) Kozlov were the nearest to him and overheard they looked at each other and shook their heads.
This exercise continued for about 20minutes the goaltenders did a great job keeping many of the pucks out of the net although a few did sneak through from time to time.
‘All right guys we are moving onto the next drill.’ Scotty said he waved to the trainers Dave with his own set of ice skates on went onto the ice to help them out and pass on the message. The players knew what was going on as they all headed back to the benches except for Timothy Taylor and Tomas Holstrom as well as both goaltenders.
‘What is going on now?’ James asked.
‘Just a bit of one-on-one action. It is the coach’s way of assessing the offense and defense strategies of players. Not everyone does it. Only a select few of us do it each day.’ Doug explained. When Tim and Tomas finished the next pair to head out was Nick and Steve, but it was clear from the outset that Nick always had the upper hand, a specialist defenseman against one of the team’s best offensive players. As soon as their run was over Scotty then looked at the three youngsters; and he could tell by the looks on their faces they were eager to have a go. He heard one of his own players call to him.
‘Yes Joey?’
‘Do you want to put two of the kids against each other or against one of us?’ Joey asked.
‘Well, I am quite keen to see how Mr. Thomas is against Miss Pearson if that answers your question.’ Scotty answered.
‘This we all would like to see.’ Stu Grimson replied and Scotty looked at the two kids.
‘Mr. Thomas,’
Caleb turned around.
‘Your coach tells me you favor playing in the forwards and that you aren’t too fond of the defensive side of the game,’
‘Yeah, I hate defense,’ Caleb said.
‘At least he is honest,’ James mumbled.
‘All right this is as good a time as any for you to learn, and Miss Pearson it is up to you to be on the offense,’ Scotty remarked; Ashley and Caleb glanced at one another. The two moved on out to center ice the goaltenders at both ends were ready to go. Caleb slid back a short distance giving Ashley possession with the puck. She kicked it forwards onto her stick and skated well wide to the right-hand side Caleb followed her but didn’t come forwards he wanted to wait and watch. * Bad idea boy* She thought she cut in towards the center of the zone and forced him to come in as well she stopped and doubled back and fired the shot saved by Chris.
‘That is nothing,’ Caleb said.
‘Wait until you see my move,’ he added Ashley didn’t bother with a reply and skated back to center ice. Caleb got the puck and headed forwards Ashley was more than happy to give him that bit of room to move, and he took great advantage. He entered the zone easily and did a zigzag across the zone Ashley stayed with him but didn’t attack just let him move freely, he spun around and tried to flip the puck further into the zone, but Ashley read that one and used her stick to intervene. Since the puck bounced back onto Caleb’s stick, he was quick to re-gather and give it another try this time using his technique of rapid stick movement and hard skating. It did get Ashley into quite a twist but before he could fire a shot off, she skated up from behind and again used her stick to poke-check the puck away just out of his reach.
‘Get off!’ he yelled.
‘Ok! Guys, that’s enough come back in!’ Scotty called before it got out of control, the two kids skated back to the bench and James had his chance against Michael Ramsey.
‘Caleb,’ Joey said Caleb looked around at the older man who smiled gently.
‘Kid you have a lot to offer any team but what any of us can’t understand is why you are wasting so much effort to show up your teammates.’ He remarked; Caleb snorted he glared towards Ashley, she never noticed she was more preoccupied watching James as he played.
‘I just hate being out played by anyone it doesn’t matter who it is,’ Caleb answered.
‘That shouldn’t even be on your mind. Play towards your strengths rather than your weakness,’ Joey advised.
‘Yeah but— ‘Caleb began to protest Joey shook his head.
‘There is no but nothing kid if you want to prove yourself then you work on what you are good at and show it and not attempt to outplay anyone else,’ Joey remarked.
‘Also, defensively you have some work to do,’ he added Caleb said nothing he couldn’t, all that Joey was telling him was true and he had to sallow his pride and take it.
A few more of the players had their turn one on one then the goaltenders were given a break.
‘Great job thanks everyone now the rest of you can go except for the youngsters, Dougie, Brent, Darryl, Stu, Dallas and Igor.’ Scotty said, and the rest of the squad made their way off the ice and left the coaching staff and the players singled out on the ice.
‘All right then this is the last session for today and this is how I have planned it. Kids you are all good in your positions and as I understand Miss Pearson and Mr. Sattler play on the same line,’ Scotty said the two nodded.
‘Well, I want to see things from a very different perspective, so this is why I have requested six of my players to stay behind.’ Scotty explained.
‘You three will work with two completely new line mates for the rest of this week; get to know each other and work as teammates. I don’t expect perfection in a short space of time, but I do want to see some resemblance of cohesion and good communication,’ he said.
‘Now, Mr. Sattler you will be paired with center man Darryl Laplante and Dallas Drake on the other wing. Mr. Thomas you have Igor Larionov at center and Stu Grimson on the left-wing side, and Miss Pearson, I have put you with Dougie Brown and Brent Gilchrist both fine wingers in their own right,’ Scotty explained.
‘So, make use of the time and work hard to get something going. Time will be set aside for the rest of the week so you all can get practice time together. Then come Sunday I will put each of you in a short game not only against one another but with one of the other lines as well. Dave here will oversee your half an hour slot,’ he added and with that all said he turned and left the bench and Dave took over.
‘You heard it so get to work.’ He said.
‘So,’ Ashley remarked as she glanced at the two guys standing behind her, both had expectant looks on their faces she inched a sly smile.
‘I expect my wingers to be on the pace with me any slacking off is not welcome.’ She remarked.
‘Then let’s put that to the test,’ Doug answered she nodded.
‘Just what I was thinking,’ she answered.
The three players took off in an instant and raced down the ice circled around the empty net down the far side.
‘Come on guys you have to keep up!’ She yelled when she got slightly ahead of the pair.
‘Short cut!’ Brent yelled.
‘Cheat! You get back here!’ Doug yelled after him Brent just laughed and kept going sprinting head of the other two, and eventually they caught up to him on the second lap. Doug tagged him but then tripped he hit the ice on his back Brent fell right on top of him. Ashley wasn’t expecting that she skid-halted and fell on top as well they broke out laughing and everyone else whom had witnessed this adventure laughed out loud. Greg turned to Ashley’s parents.
‘She really enjoys the sport’ he remarked; Catalin nodded her head a soft smile on her lips.
‘She is happiest when she is playing that much was obvious to us from the start. Even her biological father was impressed,’ she answered but the smile soon faded from her face.
‘If only he spent the time to see it rather than hold it against her,’ she muttered, Daniel placed his arm around her shoulders.
‘Don’t worry about that now Cat, that is long in the past.’ He replied she nodded.