Aspiring

Jeremy's Struggles and Leading By Example

Even though, Percy was going to make a full recovery and return within a few months, Jeremy couldn't help himself. He was rocked and he was scared on the ice. Whenever an opposing team player would run at him, he'd stop and lose the puck, turning it over to the other team. Most of the time, it would end up in the back of the net.

The Boston Blackhawks' offense had taken a serious backwards step and not only in the score and stats, but in the standings. They moved to second in the division and conference and things weren't looking good....

As the Blackhawks prepared to play the next game, a few days later, for the first time without the superstar stickhandler Percy, Jeremy Sagan stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the rough and tumble Detroit players.

Sure he was well into the first season of his career and he wasn't too out of place, but compared to half of the lineup, he was small and not as tough. He didn't fight and he hadn't gotten in a fight yet in his NHL career. Come to think of it, someone had always been there to back him up, so he wouldn't have to drop the gloves. And tonight was no different. He wanted to remain apart of the great Original Six organization, but how could he if he couldn't fight?

He was beginning to feel like Tyler Seguin or Patrick Kane. Sure he could score and produce sweet numbers on the ice, but what was that, if he couldn't stand his ground and answer the call or challenge when it arose? He'd be humiliated and scorned, but he hadn't gotten the chance to do anything yet.

Jordan Pierce, the opposing goalie for the Detroit team was in the crease. He would goal-tend for both sides.

Jonathan Getzlaf lightly tapped Jeremy's left skate with his stick. "You're too tense. Loosen up in your turns," he suggested. He gave the man a wink, before skating off, after the puck.

His first reaction was to tell the alternate captain off. He knew how to skate and he didn't need to be told what to do. He gave himself a second to consider the advice though and nodded his head. After all, he was just trying to help improve his game. For that, he was appreciative.

"I know how to skate, Getzy." This was extremely polite, considering what he really wanted to say.

"Suit yourself, Segs, but we can't afford to have you not producing here. We already lost Percy for God-knows how long, you've got to stop being so timid and relax...get back to scoring hat tricks and being a superstar, I know you can do it, even without Percy. We all have to...score some goals for Percy, please!"

Jeremy tensed up and turned the way he just had, to show him what he meant. The move was effective, but not graceful. Pivoting to the other foot, he relaxed and turned the opposite direction, proving how a more relaxed stance would provide the same economy of movement with a touch more style and less energy expenditure.

Shaking his head, Jeremy followed the rest of the players on the ice, willing himself to loosen up. He wouldn't admit it, but his muscles were in knots from stress.

What I wouldn't give for a good massage after this is over, he thought. I wonder if the trainer could do it?

"All right, come on boys, give it all you got!" Coach Kucherov got everyone's attention. "Don't let them into your heads! We can't afford to lose anymore games."

The players lined up at the faceoff dot, as the play was halted on the ice, because Brampton Benn, his other linemate, had missed the net and sent the puck into the crowd, out of play. He slammed his stick down on the ice. "Oh come on!"

Jeremy knew Brampton shouldn't make a scene and luckily Coach didn't see it, before Jonathan had a talk with him. The wise centre shook his head and grabbed his new linemate, leading him back to the faceoff dot. As they neared Jeremy, he could hear the captain say, "Keep your emotions in check, Brandy. Shake it off!"