Chasing Cities

Awards

~Tuukka's POV~

"Everybody at school says you're going to win it," Sinikka informed me. "I think you're going to win it as well."

"Don't be upset if I don't," I warned her gently. "The other finalists, Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy, were amazing this year. They have just as much of a chance of winning the Vezina as I do."

"I still think that you will win," Sinikka grabbed her bag and stood up. "Do you want to go get some food?"

"I think it is about time for me to eat," I stood up in response. "I believe my blood sugar is quite low right now."

"Diabetes," Sinikka sighed. "A disease that I will never understand no matter how many times you try to explain it to me."

"It is quite confusing," I admitted. "Sometimes I still don't know what to do if something weird happens. It's a very complex disease, but you learn to live with it after a while."

Sinikka made a thoughtful noise as we arrived at a small restaurant that sells burgers. "I have an autoimmune disease too—Celiac disease. It's funny how diabetes and Celiac disease overlap in many people, but each of us got a different disorder instead of both of us getting both disorders."

"Nature decided to split it up a little," I laughed. "The overlap between the two conditions and us having both of the conditions combined sort of show how we will be connected forever. It's kind of an unsettling thought, but it's something I came up with."

"I like it," Sinikka shrugged. "Regardless of context, it sends a good message."

I agreed and placed our orders. Thirty minutes later, we returned to our gate, our stomachs full of burgers and fries.

"That was the best airport food I've had in a while," I patted my full stomach as Group 2 was called to board. "And now it's time to go to Vegas!"

About six hours later, our plane landed at the airport in a glimmering city of gold and riches. Sinikka and I went to eat on the Strip after putting away our bags. I took Sinikka into some casinos and let her hang out in the areas where kids were allowed to hang out.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" My daughter asked me as we started getting ready for bed. "It's going to be a big day."

I nodded. "Even if I lose, I will congratulate the winner. Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy deserve the trophy as much as I do. It will be a well-deserved win for either of them if I do not win."

"That's the spirit, Dad," she turned off the light between our beds. "Nobody likes a sore loser, but everyone likes a good sport, win or loss. Good night."

"Good night," I replied.

The next evening was calm, but it still had some sense of urgency to it. I straightened my tie as Sinikka perfected her makeup. Both of us were ready for the award ceremony where I could possibly be named the National Hockey League's best goaltender for the second time of my career.

Sinikka practically died of excitement when she actually got to meet Andrei Vasilevskiy and Connor Hellebucyk. Using her generosity and kind spirit, she got the other two goalies and their families to agree to sit near her and myself during the ceremony. That way, we would be able to celebrate with the winner when he returned to his seat.

The next few hours passed by in a blur. Soon, the winner of the Vezina Trophy was about to be named. I squirmed in my seat, anticipating the revealing of the winner.

"And the winner of the 2021 Vezina Trophy..." the speaker began excitedly.

Sinikka filmed silently, her heart beating rapidly.

"...is Tuukka Rask! Congratulations!"

I was in a state of shock as the camera focused on me. I quickly snapped back into reality when my daughter hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and laughed with joy. I then stood up and hugged my parents, my brother, my niece, and my brother's girlfriend, who had all arrived in Vegas that morning. Finally, I started to walk towards the stage to accept my award.

I took the award graciously and stepped up to the microphone. I had prepared a speech, but I didn't think I would actually have to give it. I took a deep breath and decided to try my absolute best.

"I am honored to receive the Vezina Trophy and be honored as the NHL's best goaltender in the 2019-20 season," I announced. "I would like to congratulate Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy on their nominations."

At this, I gestured at the other two finalists, who waved at me. I smiled at them before continuing with my speech.

"My coaches, teammates, friends, and family helped me and inspired me to try my best this year," I explained. "My daughter, Sinikka, is fourteen years old, and she has been a major source of positivity for me in the past three years. Back at the beginning of March, someone evil tried to kidnap her from me, and the feeling I felt when I found out that she was missing was the worst feeling of my life."

Murmurs of shock came from the crowd. Most people had known about the Tampa incident, but the mention of such a terrifying event disturbed all the members of the audience.

"Thankfully, she ended up being rescued safely, but the experience made me realize how easy it is to lose those I love in just a second," I continued.

Taking a deep breath, I concluded the speech.

"This speech isn't really about the award anymore, and it's getting kind of long," I admitted. "However, I need to get one important message out to those of you here and all of you watching on TV: connect with your loved ones. Spend time with them. That advice was told to me by my late best friend, Anja, who was also Sinikka's mother. She was a wonderful woman that the world lost too soon, and I cherish every moment that I spent with her. Please, take a moment to realize how much your loved ones matter to you, and be grateful that you have them. Good night and thank you!"

The crowd's applause was some of the loudest that I'd ever heard. I was surprised that they liked my speech so much. After all, most of it was improvised because I honestly didn't expect to win, and I spent a long time telling a personal story. I guess they were inspired or something. I suppose I appreciate their appreciation.

After the ceremony, the award is placed in a special case so it won't be damaged on the flight back to Boston, and Sinikka watches it like a hawk as we go back to our hotel room.

"I'm not going to drop it," I laugh as I set it down carefully on my nightstand.

"Just making sure," she smiles. "Congratulations, Dad. You really deserved this one."

"Yeah," I admit. "I worked really hard this year, but not only at hockey. Over the past few months, I've worked hard at realizing how important it is to bond with those that I love."

Sinikka smiles. "I think you've done a pretty good job."