Chapter Text
Brandon Wiebe - March 2018
"I know Luka Haas is our first draft pick. But I want our second to be Vincent VanVyse."
I can see the confusion in the room. He was a decent player, but not exactly what we needed. However, the Swiss-Canadian defensive blueliner left a massive impression on me.
"His skill rate improvement is amazing when you have all the facts. During an interview with me, he mentioned that he learned how to skate three years ago, and this year he played in World Juniors alongside Haas."
"You're joking, bud."
"There is no joke. I did some investigation after my interview with him. And he only started existing in Hockey two and a half years ago, with some beat-up-looking skates. No kiddy teams, no nothing before attending a Hockey Camp that Scott Hunter visited."
Two months ago.
"When did you learn to skate?" It's one of my standard questions for things like this. Makes them open up about the game. I watch as this kid fiddles with the edge of his sleeves.
"Three years ago." He says in a rush.
I slightly chuckle at his answer, "Truthfully?"
The kid flinches and looks at me. Shit. Before I can get a word out, the kid replies.
"Yes, three years ago. Six months before I went to Hockey Camp." The kid defends with his gaze fixed on me. "It's, I, I didn't want to make a fool of myself, and Luka offered lessons to talk more in English." The kid's face flushes with embarrassment before he says, "and, and now I am at the World Juniors, and everything tastes like how victory or freedom should feel like." There is a small smile on his face.
"Vinny!" is yelled from down the hall. The kid turns his head and yells back, "Luka! be there in a bit!"
He then turns to me and says quickly. "Let's both be honest, you wanted to know more about how he is as a player from a non-important teammate. Luka knows everything on the ice. He can spot the differences in rinks in minutes, reads other players, and that shows when he is playing. He also has the kindness and fucking patience to teach a foul-mouthed brute."
"Kid-"
"You should choose him as your first choice."
He says quickly as he turns. I see the name VANVYSE across his back.
Present
"The camaraderie and skill between the two are evident when they play. Haas scored more and moved faster when VanVyse was on the ice. The other players can not keep up with Haas' rhythm. And over the course of the past year, VanVyse gets better and better with every game."
I see the rest of the team watching clips I am presenting from this year's World Juniors.
"Any other draft ideas you have, I am fine with as long as we get both of them in the first and second rounds."
I want both of these kids on my team. With the current team, I see the potential to create a dynasty. Especially with the confirmation I now have.
Last week
Ilya Rozanov reached out to us during the 2017 offseason about playing in Ottawa for 2018. In the middle of the season, he called for an emergency meeting and brought Hollander. Hollander, who wants to play for Ottawa starting in the fall of 2018.
"The only new request that you both have is that 'racism, homophobia, and/or abuse be exposed and eradicated' within the team?" I ask with slight confusion.
Hollander holds his face blank, and Ilya nods with his brow furrowed.
I don't see why this request would be an issue that needs to be addressed by both- oh fuck. Ilya is protective in the way he holds himself between Hollander and me. Theriault.
"I am going to be honest with you both. I think I might make this necessary in all of my team contracts."
Shane lets out a breath of air, and his eyes water. Ilya leans towards him as he watches me with a smirk.
"Theriault has always been a piece of shit." I grumble.