Hockey's Our Game

Chapter 23

"Are you scared? I'm freaking out for you. Why did you bring me here? I can't believe this is actually happening, how are you not freaking out? Seriously how are-" Holden cut me off by kissing me.

"Breathe" he smiled at me "don't worry I'm mentally freaking out, I'm just trying to hide it because I'm the youngest one here."

I looked around and he was right. Well I am the youngest but he's the youngest getting drafted. "Woah, you're right" we sat down and I sat down on the left of Holden and Zack sat next to me and Claire next to Holden and Brady next to Claire. I leaned over to whisper to him "I feel like I'm imposing on your family."

He looked at me and rolled his eyes "oh please, you're not" he was still holding my hand and I just looked down at our hands and nodded. "Trust me you're not imposing in, they want you here I promise, and it's comforting to know you're here too" he smiled at me and I looked up at him.

"Ok folks we're going to get started so please sit down and be quiet" some old guy said and we all stopped talking and focused in on Phil coming on stage."Hi my name is Phil Preston, head of the NHL board and director of The Draft each year, first let's get started, this year The Boston Bruins get first choice" he said and another man came up on.

"The Boston Bruins would like to draft as a rookie Dale Charlier" he said and people started clapping, I personally had no idea who he was but a lot of people knew him. They took pictures and talked for about 10 minutes.

"Up next is Los Angeles Kings" Phil said and another man came up.

"The Los Angeles Kings are drafting Freddy Drake" he said and Freddy went up and did the same thing as Dale.

Phil came back "Next is Toronto Maple Leafs." Holden's hand squeezed mine, hoping he didn't put on that team.

"The Toronto Maple Leafs would like to select Brandon Howland" another man said and they followed the same routine as the others.

"Now the New York Rangers" Phil announced again.

"The New York Rangers would like Dan Lecher" a woman said and Dan followed the same routine.

"Next up the Chicago Blackhawks, also the Stanley Cup winners of the past season" Phil said smiling and Holden squeezed my hand again and he sat up straight.Joel went up to the stand and smiled "on behalf of the Chicago Blackhawks we proudly draft Holden Collins" he smiled and I smiled as well and Holden cheered and hugged his dad and mom and I hugged Zack. Holden turned to me and kissed me and others cheered again and he went up to the stage. He got his jersey that said 'Collins' and '17' he slipped it on and he put on the hat they gave him and he took his picture and was smiling like no other. I was so happy for him. I turned around and hugged Zack really tight again, his whole family was smiling. After they talked Holden came back and sat down and Joel saw me and winked at me and I smiled back at him.

After the draft was over they talked to each of the players on the team again as a team and the Blackhawks only drafted a total of 4 players, including Holden. Zack, Claire, Brady and I all waited in the lobby area for Holden and we were talking and laughing. "So Tori, what's it like dating an NHL player now?" Zack asked me.

I shrugged "still the same to me because I knew him before he was in the pros league" I smiled.

"Good answer" Brady joked with me.

"Actually I take it back, it's totally all for the money" I joked with him and he laughed "nah I'm just kidding but I knew he was good when he first came to my rink."

"How long were you at Fury?" Claire asked me.

"Um since I was 8, so 10 years by the time I was done" I told her.