Derrick and I had been skating around for half an hour before the guys started to head out. First one out, as always, was Kaner, or Patrick Kane. We did some 2 on 1 drills, me being the one defenseman, them being the 2 forwards, but then Kaner left to go shoot on the other goal.
We were in the middle of a drive when I caught New Guy in the corner of my eye. I saw Derrick going for a shot, and I hit the ground. I blocked the shot with my side as I saw Dean flinch at my move. What was that? I got up and skated to the half line. Derrick switched with me and I started to drive to goal with the puck. I dodged around Derrick and laid a right top shelf shot. Perfect.
We decided to stop and rest before practice. I skated over to the bench and Brookbank came over to talk to me.
After taking a minute, I looked back to survey the ice. I realized Dean is a defenseman. He seems to know Nik, but then again, they probably skated together in Rockford. It's funny to see how all the defenseman really only talk to their partner. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Niklas and Johnny. And now it seems Nik and Dean.
"Ay, Scottie! How ya doin'?" Duncan Keith asked me.
"I'm doin' wonderful. How about?" We all continued with small take. I started dribbling around a puck with my stick, weaving in between the guys sitting on the ice. Johnny tried to snatch the puck away, but I quickly dodged around him, making him fall on his back. The guys started laughing and Dean even smirked to himself a little bit.
"So, who's the new guy?" Niklas was eyeing Dean, probably trying to intimidate him.
"Uh," Dean coughed, and was a little nervous to answer, "Dean Gould."
"Nice to meet you Dean, I'm-" Brent started to talk but was cut off by Dean.
"I know who you all are. Not gonna lie, I'm a little starstruck right now."
The guys started laughing, and I did too.
"Don't worry, New Guy. These monkeys ain't anything special." I was joking around, but I also wanted to ease Dean's nerves.
"Your words hurt, Scott. Hurt deep" Johnny placed a glove hand over his heart.
"Aw, poor Johnny got his feelings hurt!" Duncan slid over to Johnny and started jokingly rubbing his back. Johnny shrugged away and we all laughed.
"Nah, man, its cool. Nothing to worry about. Skate you're hardest and don't be an ass, and we'll all like you." Brent was better at easing nerves than I was, obviously.
"Thanks man."
"Alright fellas! Scrimmage time! Set up with your line and we'll follow from there! Nik step out for a minute, and we'll have Dean skate with Scottie!"
"Sure thing coach!" Nik started to skate away but stopped at Dean, "good luck bro." Dean nodded his, then turned to me with worried eyes.
"You got this, just skate and listen to my calls. I know how these guys skate like the back of my hand."
"Thanks. Just one thing, are you going to wear a helmet?" Dean asked.
"Uh, yeah. I was getting to that." I laughed as I skated over to the bench, but my dad threw my helmet to me before I could even make it there. I skated back and stopped right in front of Dean.
I skated right in front of Dean, making sure he saw me buckle my helmet in place.
"Alright! Scott, Dean, Kane, Andrew, Krugs, and Raanta. Red. Hjalmarsson, Johnny O, Hossa, Towes, Carcillo, and Crow. White." We all switched our jerseys and skated over to our teams.
"The rest y'all split evenly! Shawzy and Tazer face off." We all got set in our position. I can't wait to see how New Guy's first practice goes.
NOTE: Picture of Daniel Sharman as Derrick
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Full Strength
Fanfiction**PLEASE READ THE LAST ADDED PART** She's the daughter of his coach. He's the new recruit. How could this possibly end up badly? Scotland Brown has grown up around hockey. Her father has been the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks since she was ei...
