Aspiring

Becoming Popular in Boston: Reflections of Each Other, Two of a Kind

The next season for the Boston Blackhawks was about to begin. After a pretty impressive first year, the team only strengthened, gaining more superstar power. Tyler Marchand's buddy and best friend from the Boston College (BC) Eagles, Patrick Cleary had been picked up in Free Agency and Fiyero Milan, the great BC captain was snatched as well.

Along with those two, Smitty and Zilchy were also grabbed in the Draft. Zack Greene and Brady Quinn were traded. And two prospects named Razor and Drouin who shined in the NHL last year when injuries occurred were awarded one-year contracts. A forward named Reilly O'Reilly was also scooped up, coming in from the San Jose Shruingers and then there was one certain Russian forward from Tampa Bay who was traded.

Scooby remained the starting goalie and was joined by two other goalies. One was a Russian and one was an American.

After the quick pre-season scrimmage with everyone reuniting with one another, Crow entered the locker room, shedding his equipment, literally everywhere as he stormed to his stall. Jonathan was behind him.

"Crow, chill man, so you fanned on a shot at the blue line and you can't seem to buy a goal...relax."

"Relax? I'm fine with my mediocre practice day, I'll get over that...But we have two Russians named Nikita!" Crow slammed his helmet onto the shelf of his stall and then sat down looking at his captain. "How is that okay?"

"Well, Crow, Russians aren't that bad. And Nikita Namestnikov is an excellent power skater and goal scorer for us. And you know you love Nikita Nichushkin."

"Hey, did Scooby break the pest or what?" Jeremy laughed, entering the locker room, followed by Brampton and everyone else.

"No. Shut up Segs!" Crow spat at him.

Nikita Nichushkin and Nikita Namestnikov came forward and sat down on either side of Crow. "It be okay. We like you Crow."

Crow snapped his head back and forth, looking between the two Russian forwards, who smiled at him sweetly. He looked back at Jonathan, who was biting his lip and struggling not to break out in laughter. Crow frowned at him and rolled his eyes. "Russians..." He shook his head.

Jeremy and Percy joined up, their stalls being adjacent to one another. They shared a secret handshake with one another. Unlike Crow, they'd tore it up in practice. Like usual. Nothing was new there.

"I'm so ready for this season to start already!!" Jeremy exclaimed.

"I know, it's been a super long and boring offseason. Just full of charity work, hanging with family, doing endorsements and then suffering in silence while hearing all about the San Jose Shruingers enjoying the Cup!" Percy sighed.

Jeremy rolled his eyes. "We'll get 'em this year!! This is the year of the Boston Blackhawks!"

"You better believe it!" Jonathan echoed. "Now let's get our break...we got the big opening game coming up, let's show the fans that Boston is ready to play!"

He was answered by cheers all around the locker room.

****

Percy's POV

The first game of the new NHL season began. The puck was dropped at center ice, where Jonathan, Percy's linemate and the captain won the puck and instantly got it back to the defenseman. Opposite Percy, on the left wing, was Tyler.

Percy darted forward with his linemates and moved into an open spot. He received the perfect pass from his defensemen. He cradled it in his stick, batting it back and forth in a taunting way as one of the opposing team players bared down on him. He spun around at the last minute, managing to smoothly keep the small black disc in his blade. Then he got it to his backhand and sent a beautifully timed and placed puck over the goalie's shoulder and into the back of the net.