20 year old, Katie Brooks looked down at the rink, watching the dozens of hopeful hockey players play their hearts out. They were trying out for the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team, coached her father, Herb Brooks.
She loved hockey, but for her whole life she had been forced only to watch, and never play. Hockey after all, was a bloody, rough sport and a girl would never be allowed to play on an all boys team. However, Katie had her chances when she was young. She may not have been able to play on a team, but she could practice with one, especially if her father was coaching. Unfortunately, her mother, who was very supportive of her interests, died when she was only five years old. Herb remarried, and her new step-mom, Patti, was not really into hockey, and Katie was forbidden to play. So, Katie went to every game and practice, but never stepped a foot on the ice. She had been on a National Figure Skating team for a few years in her mid-teens, but she soon realized that it was not her thing. She wanted to play hockey. She eventually forgave her step-mother and was satisfied with watching her father coach. She even became the assistant coach when she hit her 18th birthday. Her father had two more with his new wife, Kelly and Adam. Katie was 11 when Kelly was born, and thirteen when Adam was.
She started to daydream as she watched a goalie stop multiple shots in a row, when she was jerked back to reality by her father.
"What do you think of that one?"
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Jim Craig, from Boston University."
"He's good. He's got a good eye for where the puck is going to be before the player even releases. He seems to be holding back a bit though."
"Hey Herb, Katie." The two turned around and were greeted by Craig Patrick, Herb's assistant coach. After a few minutes of chatting about the training season before the Olympics, Katie's dad handed Craig the roster. Craig was shocked, as it was only one day of try-outs, but Katie knew her dad knew who he needed for the best team.
Craig read off the roster to the players as they sat in the stands at the end of the try-out.
"Thank you gentleman," he said. The ones who were not chosen, left and there were 26 remaining. Katie leaned up against the railing with Craig, and Doc the trainer. She saw some she recognized, such as her friend, Robbie McClanahan, Jim Craig, and Buzz Schneider.
"Take a good look, because they're the ones getting off easy." Her father came out of the shadows at the top of the stands. "I'm Coach Brooks, I'll be your coach not your friend. If you need a friend, take it up with Coach Patrick, Doc, or…" he looked at Katie for a second before continuing. "Well, ones of those two." The boys laughed and Katie scowled, her father was always trying to protect her. She was an adult now though and she didn't need it.
That night, she joined her father at the college dorms where the players were staying.
"Why are we here again?"
"One of the player didn't turn in their tests." Herb had handed out tests for the team to take.
"Well, I'll just wait out here," Katie said, sitting on a bench. "We don't want me to possibly see a player's dorm room now do we?" Her father ignored her comment and went inside. As she waited, she reviewed her reflection in a puddle along the sidewalk. She wasn't outrageously pretty, but she wasn't ugly either. Her straight blonde hair fell around her shoulder and her green eyes shone brightly in the moonlight. A light wind blew and she wrapped her jean jacket tightly around her. Even though it was June, it still got cold in Minnesota. Her dad came out a few minutes later, with a strange look on his face. She stood up and followed him down the sidewalk. Suddenly, someone called for him. They both turned to see Jim Craig running bare-footed toward them.
"Coach," he said again. He looked up and stared at Katie for a minute. He forgot why he was there as she smiled at him.
"Yes Jimmy?" Herb asked not noticing the look shared between the two others.
"Oh, uhh, Coach, I'll take the test."
"You know, Jimmy, I've been meaning to ask you how your family is doing?"
Jimmy looked taken back. It was no secret that his mother had recently died and his family was in financial problems.
"Um, well my dad is going through a rough time right now. He lost his job and stuff… well my mom wanted me to play for this team and your not gonna say 'no' to someone who drove you to practice every day right?" he smiled and Katie immediately felt feelings toward the handsome goalie.