Drop The Puck, It's Time To Go

“Alright Roxanne, I know you know what is going on. You have to tell us!” Wheeler complained from behind me, arms crossed in a little kid annoyance. I had my legs crossed with my high-heeled foot bouncing around in anxiety. My stomach was in knots, not only from the nervousness from being part of the team…an NHL team…the second woman IN THE NHL!! I had such high expectations from me, I knew. My first game was going to be in Buffalo, all eyes on me.
AHHHHH!!!
I was also in anxiety from how people would react. How many fans I would get? How many haters? How many enemies?
I also was bursting with anticipation of having it announced to the Bruins and to my brother. Tuukka had been hassling me about it for days and I refuse to tell him cause I wanted it to be a surprise, a surprise for him, the team, and my brother.
“I don’t know what is going on either Wheeler, so stop nagging me.”
“Bullshit! You’re leg is going a mile a minute! Anxiety right there!” Blake snapped, pointing at my leg.
“It’s restless leg syndrome.”
“Bullshit again.”
“I’m with Blake on this, what is going on Roxy? I’m veeeeery confused on why I needed to call out of work and meet you out here in Buffalo! Shit, you even paid for my plane ticket.” I looked to my brother who was on my left.
“You’ll see Ben. It’ll be worth it I promise.”
“HA! I KNEW YOU KNEW! MARCHAND, SHE DOES KNOW!” Blake cried, leaning over Recchi to talk to Marchand, pointing at me. Marchand glared at me.
“How dare you lie to me…” He said. “You so deserved having to sit on the bus with us and listen to Roxanne till we got here!” My shoulder’s dropped.
“It was worth the torture…I hope.”
“Ok, can you please tell your own god damn boyfriend what is going on? I have been wondering about this for freaking days!” Tuukka finally cracked.
“I can’t!” I said, “You just have to wait!”
“That’s what you said last night.”
“I know, but calm your ass down.” I patted his knee and then focused away from the team who kept heckling me about what was going on.
“Roxanne…” I heard Bergeron called.
“Roxaaaaannne…” Came Boychuk.
“Roxxxxy…” Yup, you guessed it, that was Marchand. I whipped around and looked at the three clowns.
“What!?” I hissed.
“Can you please tell your best friends what is going on?” Marchand asked.
“Who said you were my best friends?” I asked.
“Fate.” Boychuk answered.
“The great and Devine Hockey God.” Was Bergeron’s answer.
“We were the first ones you met! That dubs us as your friends. Plus, what is a friend that doesn’t get under your skin 24/7?” Marchand answered. I turned away from them.
“You’re not getting an answer and that’s final.” I went to lean into Tuuk but he held me away.
“Absolutely not. You don’t deserve it, you’re not telling me what is going on.” I sighed and held my hands up in surrender.
“Ok! Fine!”
“How does it feel to be rejected Roxy? Huh? Now you know how we feel!” Marchand added. I ignored the agitator and instead focused on waiting for the moment when NHL owner Gary Bettman was to get up.
“Roxanne, can you please tell your brother what is happening?” I looked over at Ben who had a sad face on.
“Nice try, it’s not going to work.” Ben sighed.
“Fine…but actually, my sad face wasn’t to try and guilt you. I’m just thinking about how much it would have meant to Dad if he could have been to something like this.” I felt that empty hole I’ve had open back up.
“I know…it would have been wonderful for him. But he’s looking down Ben, and thinking how proud he is for us to push through and get to where we are.” Ben nodded.
“I know…I bet he knows what is happening.” I smiled at Ben.
“He does Ben…and he’s never been happier.” Before Ben could question what I had said, I saw Gary Bettman get up and go over to the podium and I felt the excitement and anxiety heighten within me. Now was the moment, here it was, I was to be announced to the entire NHL. This is it Dad. The moment you dreamed about, it’s happening. I hope you’re able to see this right now! Many sports channels were trained on the podium, wondering what could be going on. Only me, Jacobs, and Julien knew what was happening and in all honesty…it was surreal to think that. Tuuk was looking at me as I leaned over hands clamps together and my face resting upon it. He had this look in his eyes that told me he was beginning to guess what was happening, I wonder if any of the older guys did too. Team Canada? Doubt it. Recchi and Thomas though were old and wise, they must know!
Ok, serious time.
“I think I know what is coming…” Tuukka whispered to me as he leaned in.
“Well don’t say shit if you think you do, I want people to be shocked.” I hissed back. Tuuk was blinking.
“You’re not a new play-” I made a movement to tell Tuukka to shut up as Gary Bettman began to speak.
“Since 1917, the NHL has grown into this franchise has now expanded into thirty respectable teams that have all made their place in history. Today, one of the original six is going to take a new step into making history, history for their team. May I present to you Boston Bruins owner, Jeremy Jacobs.” The place erupted with polite applause and I could feel myself getting more and more anxious as my announcement grew near.
“Thank you Mr. Bettman. A couple weeks ago, Coach Claude Julien brought to my attention a person with such skill and ability we knew that they would help bring the team up. The time is odd that is for sure. But we didn’t want to lose this opportunity; it came so out of the blue. Ladies and gentleman and my fellow Bruins, I would like head coach Claude Julien to please come up and announce the newest player for the Boston Bruins.” The crowd clapped but you could feel it in the air, they wanted to know what who this new player was. I felt my hands shaking as I clapped. Julien got to the post and here was the moment of truth, the moment I had been waiting for.
“Thank you Mr. Jacobs. For the past couple of days I have been eyeing this person and knew that they were born for hockey, born for the NHL. They had the skill needed for this league, this team, and could bring the Stanley Cup to Boston. I was fortunate enough to see this, fortunate enough to catch on early like I have. Fans of Boston, people of the NHL, welcome the first woman to put on the uniform for the Boston Bruins and the second woman to own the ice…#49….Roxanne McGregor.” I got up, hearing the gasps, cheers, and shouts from my future teammates.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?”
“WE GET ROXANNE!?”
“COACH I WANT TO KISS YOU!” I laughed at Marchand’s exclamation, feeling alighted that the team was taking this well. I could feel my brother’s shocked face behind me.
“Roxanne, how did you do this!? You didn’t…is it April 1st!? HOLY SHIT! MY SISTER IS IN THE BOSTON BRUINS!” I had a large smile on my face as I walked up, shaking hands with Mr. Bettman, Mr. Jacobs, and Coach Julien and then approaching my jersey, being held by Houda. I reached out, shakily, and took grasp of the nylon material, my name and number on the back. I couldn’t believe it…I held it up to myself as cameras were flashing and people began clapping. The whole scenario was crazy, I couldn’t think at all or function, all of it so overwhelming. I never thought that when I arrived in Boston two years ago, broke and homeless, that I would find myself standing here at a podium holding up a Boston Bruins jersey with my name on it. I used to envision this when I was little, playing hockey out on the pond behind my house or even going into my closet and taking out my Dad’s Bobby Orr jersey and holding it up declaring that Roxanne McGregor was now forward of the Boston Bruins. I could see all my friends, now teammates, standing up and cheering me as I held up the jersey. After large amounts of photos were taken I walked up to the podium and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself and not think about how many people were watching me and listening to my words.
Hell, I guess it’s easy to just speak what is on my mind.
Taking a deep breath I looked out to everyone and smiled.
“Ever since I was little, I played hockey all winter out in the pond behind my house. My dad and brother were always there with me and I still remember my dad taking me too and from practice and games, telling me how great I was and how I was a miniature Bobby Orr.” I let out a small laugh. “Don’t know about that but hey, he was my dad and loved to boost my confidence. He always took me to the Bruins games every year since he got them through his work. I still even remember going to the Worcester Ice Cats too. It’s pretty safe to say that hockey has been in my blood since I’ve been able to walk and talk and I’ve been in love with the Boston Bruins ever since I knew how to say it. Sadly though…my dad isn’t here today to see this. He hasn’t been here for four years but I know he’s looking down and smiling at me for this accomplishment, for he had told me the last game before he died that he dreamed of turning on his TV and seeing his youngest child and only daughter making history on the ice.” Taking a deep breath, I tried to compose myself as I felt a lump form in my throat. “I never thought his statement would come true. Never had I ever believed, even when I arrived homeless and broke in Boston two years ago and found a job in the TD Garden. Still didn’t even think about it. But here I am and I have never been more honored. I’m so proud to be part of the Boston Bruins and I promise to give this new career 110% for all of you fans and for my team. Thank you Mr. Bettman, Mr. Jacobs, and Mr. Julien. I’m so glad you have asked me to be #49…and dad? This is for you.” With that I backed away from the podium as everyone got to their feet and applauded, I then walked over to my team and they all surrounded me, ruffling my hair and patting me on the back. Team Canada went as far as giving me a giant hug, all three of them together.
“Roxanne is one of us!” Bergeron called.
“This team is doomed then.” Lucic commented.
“Hey!” I snapped, breaking away from Team Canada and punching him on the arm. “Watch your words Mr. Lucic!” Ben came barging through them and grabbed him into a huge hug, lifting me off the ground.
“YOU JUST MADE FUCKING HISTORY!! I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD OF YOU SISTER!” I laughed and hugged my brother.
“I’m glad you approve!”
“Approve!? I’m thrilled! The only time I would disapprove if it was the Flyers, Habs, or Senators and your boyfriend was Sean Avery.” I made a puking noise.
“Oh dear god bro, why did you have to do that?” He ruffled my read hair.
“Just messing with you, you have no idea how happy I am right now. Do I get to see your first game tomorrow?” I beamed at him.
“You know it! You get a seat right next to the box, I already arranged it.” My brother did a victory dance.
“I have the best sister ever!” Marchand raised his hands.
“This sure as hell calls for a celebration somewhere, not only that it’s New Years Eve…LET’S GET TRASHED!”
“What a grand idea Mr. Marchand, give me a hangover on my first game!” I declared.
“Shut up, we’ll give you shots of water for safety.”
“Ripoff.”

*****

“They fall in line, one at a time, ready to play, I can’t see them anyway, no time to lose, we’ve got to move, steady your hand, I am losing sight again, fire your guns, its time to run, blow me away! I will stay unless I-”
“Really Roxanne!?” I stopped singing at my brother’s annoyed cry.
“I’m not drunk if that’s what you’re going to say next!” I snapped. I took a long sip at my Shirley Temple and placed it on a table.
“I wasn’t going to say that at all! I was going to say please stop singing before the place explodes, the windows shattered, and my soul dies!” Ben had his hands over his ears and his face scrunched up.
“Suck it up Benjamin McGregor!” I snapped, smacking him on the head. At the hotel in Buffalo, we were able to rent out one of the function rooms and able to open up the bar that was in there. I was smart though and stayed away from alcohol tonight. I wanted to be in my prime tomorrow. Which is why the minute the clock struck midnight and the ball dropped in Times Square I was going to bed.
“HEY EVERYONE! Shut up! We’re calling a toast!” I looked over to see Team Canada was standing on chairs with their drinks held up and I had to burst out laughing. They were all wearing blue and silver sparkly pointed party hats with tinsel on the edge that said 2011 all over it. Not only did they have that but also they had those stupid cardboard glasses.
“You guys look ridiculous!” I stated.
“Glad to know I’m not the only thinking that!” Ryder said, nudging me with his arm.
“Hey, don’t dis the hat or glasses!” Marchand snapped, pointing down Ryder, looking even more ridiculous.
“Why are you pointing at me!? Roxy’s the one that said it!”
“Did not!” I cried.
“Don’t pull this shit!”
“Can we not speak?” Everyone stopped laughing and quieted down at Boychuk’s command. “Good. Me, Patrice, and Brad here want to toast not only to the New Year, the year we get Stanley Cup of course!” Everyone cheered loudly, raising their glasses. I felt thrilled that I would be apart of this 2011 team that took a shot for the Stanley Cup, shit, maybe I would be the first woman to win it…I know I wont be the first to lift it since Erika Harper lifted it when she went to the Blackhawks game…which I’m slightly bitter to think about. She isn’t even a Blackhawk and they gave it to her like she worked her ass off to win it when she didn’t even win it. That’s suppose to give her team bad luck…
Oh hey! Do I have to mention their eight game losing streak? Bad luuuuck.
Yeah, that whole scene was a little media whorish for her. Ok back to the current time and place! I felt someone’s arm go around my shoulders and I turned to see it was Tuuk. He flashed me a closed mouth smile and I beamed back cause I always found his smiles so cute.
“That’s what I thought! We’re all going to raise Lord Stanley this year! May Roxanne not drag us down now though!” Bergeron added. I made a face at him.
“Fuck you Patrice!”
“Hey, not nice at all Roxy-”
“Well anyways!” Marchand butted in, nudging Bergeron. “Here’s to 2011 and to #49 Roxanne McGregor!”
“Who probably wont be McGregor for too long!” Bergeron added.
“I hope she stays McGregor, Rask is an ugly name.” Boychuk commented, adding in his two cents. I rolled my eyes as everyone laughed, including Tuukka.
“Coach is right, you guys are a bunch of schoolgirls.”
“Roxanne, just shut up and accept our toast! C’MON PEOPLE LET’S ATTACK ROXY’S NONALCOHOLIC COCKTAIL! You lightweight!” Marchand declared, jumping from his chair and running over and clinking my glass before I could object.
“Marchand, you asshole! Just because I have more sense to not drink tonight doesn’t give you the right to-” I didn’t finish my statement as I had everyone clinking my glass and Tuukka pulled me into a kiss.
“HEY! I SAW THAT!” My brother exclaimed, pointing at us as Tuukka broke off.
“Deal with it Ben!” I snapped, kissing Tuuk again and then moving on to clink Thomas’s glass.
“Hey! Marchand! Get your ass over here! We need you to help sing!” Boychuk commanded, snapping his fingers and pointing at Marchand’s abandoned seat. Brad made a goofy dash for his chair and jumped up.
“At your command Captain Chucky!”
“May I ask what you guys are-”
“Roxanne, we made this song just a couple of minutes ago, so bear with us.” Boychuk said. He cleared his throat.
“ROOOOOXANNNE!”
“Oh for the love of-” My groan was cut off my Bergeron’s next line.
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO WEAR THAT JERSEY TONIGHT!”
“What!?” I cried. “You conniving little motherfuckers!”
“ROOOOXXXANNNNE!” Boychuk said again.
“SELL YOURSELF FOR THE STANLEY CUP!” I shoved my drink into Tuukka’s unsuspecting free hand.
“THAT’S IT! YOU GUYS ARE DEAD!” I charged after them and Team Canada made a dash over the chairs and began to run around the room, people cheering me on to crosscheck them into the walls.
“Roxy, this is out of love!” Bergeron protested. “We’re fully initiating you into the team!”
“Initiating my ass, get your Canadian asses over here for an ass kicking you wont forget!”
“Do they sell medication for MassHole attitudes? We’re gonna need them for downtimes.” Boychuk commented.
“I don’t think so John, but I think we’re going to have to invent it fast. WAIT! TUUK! GET OVER HERE AND SUCCUMB THE BEAST!” Marchand cried before I jumped him. “SHIT, WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME FIRST!?”
“Better you than us!” Boychuk said as he and Bergeron made a getaway into the party.

*TYLER’S POV*

Tyler Seguin laughed with Steven Kampfer and Adam McQuaid at the sight of Roxy charging after Bergeron, Boychuk, and Marchand.
“Dude, I’m so glad I have yet to get on her bad side.” McQuaid commented.
“You could say that twice, the girl is crazy.” Kampfer commented, finding it hilarious that she could take Marchand down as easy as if he was made of Styrofoam. “Which is exactly what a NHL team needs.”
“Yeah, I think she’s going to be good for the Bruins. I like the idea of holding up a Stanley Cup my rookie year…” Tyler commented, daydreaming. The guys all agreed as they watched the show, which now concluded in everyone pulling Roxy into a huge ass hug to save Marchand’s life. At that moment, Tyler’s phone buzzed and he pulled it out, finding it odd to see the name that popped up. Yet again though, it was to be suspecting after the huge announcement…
Oh great, speaking of another crazy girl…
“Hello?” He answered, knowing what was to come next.
“Tyler…we need to talk now. Get Uncle Timmy and put him on the phone to.” Erika Harper said sternly from the other end. He could practically hear the steam coming out of her ears.
“I had a feeling this was coming. Hold on a second.” He sighed. Fending his way through people he found Tim Thomas chatting with Recchi and Savard.
“Hey Timmy…Elecktrica is on the phone and she sounds…pretty pissed.” Thomas sighed.
“I had a feeling this was coming, alright, I’ll come with you.” Together the two left the convention room and sat in the quiet lobby, putting the phone on speaker. “Alright Erika, what’s going on?”
“Can you please explain to me what the fuck just happened?” Erika exclaimed loudly on the other end. Tyler instantly began to fear for the life of his phone.
“We honestly had no idea it was going to happen.” Tyler claimed calmly, knowing that if it were face to face it would be worse. Erika had a temper that if threatened, she lashed out. And it sounded like she was threatened.
“Yeah everyone kind of sprung it up on us without notice. Although she did practice with us a few times…” Thomas said.
“You WHAT?!” Both Tyler and Tim looked at each other after Erika’s shout. Yup…she was pissed.
“She’s really good! I mean its not like she doesn’t deserve this.” Tyler rationalized.
“Yeah, her style actually reminds me a lot of you.” Thomas added, hoping that Harper would calm down and trust her friends on this.
“Who is she even? Where did she come from?” Harper’s voice asked, completely mystified about the whole thing.
“She’s our water girl, and she’s been dating Rask since Christmas.” Thomas answered.
“You really had to add the second part?” Tyler whispered.
“What?” Tim asked, not knowing what was wrong with that. Before Tyler could continue, Erika continued her ballistic rant.
“Are you telling me the goddamn water girl got into the NHL when I had to work my ASS off to? Don’t you see how that doesn’t make any sense?”
“That just makes it sound worse than it is.” Tyler stated, not liking how Erika was stabbing at Roxanne when she didn’t even know the girl. He could tell Tim was a bit annoyed about it too.
“Listen, don’t worry too much about this.” Thomas added.
“Don’t worry too much? Timmy, I was the first one here! She’s treading into my territory! Taking over my rink! This is UNACCEPTABLE!” A muffled thud signified that Erika must have punched something. Wonderful.
“Listen, just relax Erika. We’re in different divisions so it won’t be much of a problem.” Tyler added.
“We play you two more times this year.”
“Look, just forget about it for now. Its New Years Eve and you’re playing the second biggest game of your life tomorrow. Don’t dwell on it.” Thomas began to try and switch the conversation onto the Winter Classic that was happening tomorrow.
“Yeah, you’re right Uncle Timmy.” Erika sighed. “But I want the info on this chick. Momma Bear’s cave is threatened, and she’s roaring.” Tyler snorted at the analogy.
“Shut up, you’re a baby Seguin.” Came a growl.
“Sorry, sorry. Well we should get back before they start questioning. Happy New Year, and good luck tomorrow!” Thomas exclaimed. “Thanks! Talk to you guys later then!” The line ended with a click and both Tyler and Tim looked at each other, probably thinking the same thing.
“There’s going to be a rivalry…isn’t there.” Tyler commented. Tim nodded.
“It looks it. A very bad one. One that continues off the ice, Erika and Roxanne are going to clash head to head hard and you know what that means right?”
“We’re going to be caught up in the middle of it.” Both Tyler and Tim groaned at the thought.

*ROXY’S POV*

I exited the function room, wondering where on Earth Uncle Thomas and little Seguin could have possibly gone. Daddy Recchi mentioned something about a call they both needed to take.
Weird.
Whatever, I could find them. Tuukka had finally prided me off of Team Canada and calmed me down and I then made my rounds with everyone, listening to them tell me about what to expect from the rough and dangerous NHL. It was thrilling to say the least, but that’s when I noticed I hadn’t talked to Thomas or Seguin and that they were both missing. I soon found both of them sighing with their heads in their hands out in the lobby in the comfy brown leather chairs. Curious, I approached arms crossed, wondering what was wrong.
“Alright guys. It 11 at night, the ball hasn’t dropped yet but in a hour we start a New Year, tomorrow we have a game against Buffalo, today has been full of surprises and celebrations, so why so blue?” The two looked up at me, surprised.
“Oh hey Roxy. It’s nothing, just got off the phone with someone.” I looked at Tyler.
“Who?” He looked at Thomas who spoke up.
“Erika Harper. She saw your announcement and was wondering what the hell was up.”
“No way! You know Erika Harper!? You two are friends with her? No way! Why did you tell me!? I have idolized that woman!” Thomas smiled.
“You should have brought that up early! Shit, I thought you knew, I was with her at the Olympics.” I scratched my head.
“Huh…two and two was never put together in my head. But still…Erika Harper called asking about me?” I muttered, star struck that the Erika Harper called asking about me. The two nodded.
“Yeah, but don’t get excited. It wasn’t exactly…a pleasant talk.” Tyler said, a bit hesitant but Thomas continued.
“She’s feeling a bit threatened with you entering the scene. I think she’s just stressed from so much pressure on her shoulders and the Winter Classic tomorrow so don’t take it personal.”
“She flipped a bitch about me huh?”
“Not…really.” Tyler tried. I laughed.
“Nice try Seguin, you suck at lying.” Tyler shrugged.
“Hey, I try.” In all honesty, I felt a bit stabbed in the stomach at the thought that Erika Harper called freaking out at the possibility that there was another woman entering the league. I thought she would be thrilled at the fact that someone was following her footsteps, showing that she made such a big impact, such a dent in history right there. Guess not…but like Thomas said, she had to be stressed and this was a vent for her. I shouldn’t get too upset till I truly meet her face to face.
Oh god…
Oh wait…
Holy shit!
I started to feel queasy as I began to really think about what was truly happening. What it meant to be in the NHL. Thousands of eyes on me, half of them not wanting me to succeed…tons of players bearing at me, none of them wanting me to succeed. The stress that will weigh on me, the practices, the games, rivals.
And going up against Erika Harper.
She was a forward, I was a forward. We were going to cross sticks for certain and I knew everyone was going to be dubbing us the most highly anticipated set up of the season. I would be going up against my idol, the first woman, one of the league’s top players.
I hadn’t even began playing and I already had high expectations to fill.