Disclaimer: I don't own Miracle nor do I own the few lines copied from the film.

AN: Thanks to phoenixfire53 for reviewing the first chapter!

"What's this?" Craig Patrick, the assistant coach, asked as he was handed a sheet of paper.

"26 names," Herb replied, pausing to take a quick sip of his coffee. "The tough part will be getting it down to 20 before the opening ceremonies."

Craig eyes went back and forth from the list to Herb, trying to make sense of what he just heard. "This is the final roster?" he asked, confused. "You're kidding me right?"

The amused look dropped when he received no reply, realizing that the list of names he was given was the first cut of players that they were taking back to Minnesota for training. Still in a state of disbelief, he went on to say how it was only the first day of tryouts out of a full week, alluding to how he may want to change his mind about some of the choices due to some of the best players not being on the list, and even asking about what the advisory staff might say.

All Craig got were short, mumbled replies that barely made sense to him. He became more wary when he was told that Steve Janaszak was the backup goaltender for Jim Craig.

"You know, people I speak to say Craig's game has been off since his mom died."

That earned a quick chuckle from Herb. "Have they ever seen him when his game's on?" he said pointedly. "If you'll excuse me, I need to make a call."

Herb received no reply nor did he wait for Craig to get rid of the dumbfounded expression on his face before picking up the receiver and dialing a familiar set of numbers.

"Hello?"

"So, are any of the dorms at the U willing to accommodate 26 people?" he asked, going directly to the point.

"Isn't Buzzy on the roster?"

"What's your point?"

"He just got married. I can't imagine him being alright with having to live away from his wife for the next seven months."

"I'm not here to cater to what they want. I'm here to put a team together. You know that," he replied evenly. "Besides, it makes things easier for them to be in one place."

Craig wasn't sure who it was on the other end of the line, but his interest was definitely piqued. Even though he was only hearing Herb's side of the conversation, he picked up more information that the head coach seemed to readily give to whoever it was he was speaking to. And while it still wasn't much to go on, it provided a stark enough contrast to the short replies he had received just moments prior.

"The second floor of Sanford Hall is empty. They were working on pipes or whatever before summer classes started and just recently finished. It's close to the rink, the infirmary, places to eat, so they'll have all they need without having to break the bank on gas."

"Isn't that your dorm?" he asked. "I guess that works."

"I'll talk to the dorm manager after this then."

"Alright. You have a copy of the roster, right? Figure out who's rooming with who."

"Got it. I'll see you when you get back."

Herb said goodbye and hung up. From the corner of his eye, he saw the shocked look back on Craig's face. "What?" he asked.

"The roster was done before you got here," the assistant coach uttered softly, the realization dawning on him.

"I didn't ask for this kind of tryouts, this parade or whatever," Herb replied, waving his hands dismissively. "A week watching hockey players do drills won't tell me what they can possibly do in the Olympics. Years worth of seeing them be in actual games, playing against them, talking to their coaches – that's how I know that the list you're holding has the right players."

"Okay," Craig replied, not knowing what else to say. "The advisory staff gave me a list of potential team managers for you to choose from. They said – "

"I have my manager."

Craig watched as Herb gave a less than impassioned congratulatory speech to the remaining players sitting in the stands, exchanging a curious glance with George Nagobads, the team physician, as the head coach walked off. Turning his attention back to the 26 Olympic hopefuls in front of him, he could clearly see that some of them were put off. He was even a little surprised to find that some of the boys who he knew played for the University of Minnesota had looks of confusion at what they had heard from their own coach.

"Alright gentlemen. Congratulations to all of you," he spoke in a friendlier tone. "That's it for today. On the way out, pick up one of these," holding up a packet of papers. "You got a little homework to do before you celebrate."

A small smile tugged at his features as some of the players chuckled. "You'll be receiving calls from the coaching staff regarding your travel and living arrangements for when practice starts," he continued. "We'll see you in Minnesota."

"Verchota, you're done?" John Harrington asked, disbelief lacing his tone.

"Me and Janny have done this," Phil Verchota replied nonchalantly.

The group of players, a mix of students from the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota-Duluth, looked on in astonishment.

"I don't remember coach making us do these when I played for him at the U," Buzz Schneider mused. "Is this a recent development?"

"Nah," Steve Janaszak said. "It's Herb. You know how it is. Just do what he says to avoid bloodshed."

"Jeeze, that bad?" Mark Pavelich asked.

"He's always been a strict coach," Steve Christoff chimed in. "But look at how many championships he has under his belt since he started coaching at the U. He's doing something right."

The rest of the boys at the table mumbled their agreement. The University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers were reigning national champions after all, their third NCAA title in six years.

As drinks were poured and more jokes were thrown around regarding the tests in front of them, Buzz's face lit up, a thought crossing his mind. "Hey Phil," he called. "Do you think Colt will be around?"

The uneasy glance shared between Phil and Janny didn't go unnoticed.

"None of us have really talked," Janny muttered. "We just don't know how to approach it, you know?"

"We don't like it as much as you," Phil interjected, seeing the displeasure in Buzz's features. "But like Janny said, where do you even start?"

"Where do you start what?"

The group turned to look at who spoke, greeting Rob McClanahan and Mark Johnson as they walked up to the table.

"Colt," Janny replied simply.

Rob nodded his head stiffly. "Say no more."

"Come on," Buzz groaned. "Have any of you even tried?"

"Who are we talking about?" Mark asked.

"Colt," Phil uttered. "Gopher team manager and all around awesome friend."

At the confused looks that remained on the others' faces and the boys from the Gophers not knowing what else to say, Rob decided to cut in before Phil could divulge too much.

"Something happened that we're not at liberty to say. It's not our story to tell, you know?" he said. "Anyway, Buzzy's got a point. We should pay a visit when we get back. Check up and all that. Colt deserves to hear some great news."