Colorado Springs, Colorado June 1979

I walked through the crowded lobby of the arena as players began arriving and registering for try-outs. I saw a few familiar faces as I tried to squeeze my way through the madness. I heard a few names as I walked by- Phil Verchota and Ralph Cox. Finally I found the hallway that led to the locker rooms. Dad was somewhere in the building talking to the team doctor. Herb wanted to meet with me for a few minutes he said.

I passed Jimmy Craig talking to some blonde guy with a Boston accent. I recognized Jimmy immediately; he kinda nodded at me as I walked by.

"How's it looking?" the Boston blonde asked Jimmy as I walked past.

"A lot of guys from Minnesota and Boston." Jimmy said and walked into the locker room.

"Yeah, that's gonna work." I heard the blonde say as I rounded the corner.

The rivalry between the Boston Terriers and the Minnesota Gophers was legendary. I wondered how the boys would react to each other. Things could get quite interesting around here if tempers flared, I thought as I entered the booth where Herb was watching the boys take the ice.

"Hey Herb, you wanted to see me?" I said as I entered.

"Hey Chevon, I am so glad you are joining us, we have a lot to do before opening ceremonies." Herb said and I nodded. Herb never looked at me he was writing something on a piece of paper. "Chev, I need you to stay close to these boys. You are close to their age so you can understand them. Let me know if anything serious arises but I am going to have your dad take care of as much as possible."

"Sure thing, Herb. I am just glad to be here." I said and turned to walk out, wanting to get something to drink.

"One more thing Chev…" Herb said and glanced up at me. "I know you're level headed and wouldn't get yourself in a bad way with one of these boys!"

"Herb, it's going to take a lot more than a jersey and hockey stick to get into my pants!" I said with a wink. Herb kind of smiled at me. He and I had always been civil.

I walked down the hall to get a cup of coffee. I had to chuckle at Herb's comments. Dad had talked to me a few days before we flew out to Colorado. He said he understood that I was a young attractive woman that would be spending a lot of time with young men over the next seven months. He said he trusted me to use my good judgment and stay a lady. He also knew that I had grown up around hockey players and wasn't easily impressed.

When I re-entered the booth, my dad was in there talking to Herb.

"…26 names…tough part will be getting it down to 20 by the opening ceremonies." Herb said.

"This is the final roster?" dad asked looking confused. "You're kidding me, right? This is our first day Herb; we have a week of this."

I stood silently as they continued talking, wondering how Herb could already know who he wanted on the team. They had only been doing drills on the ice for about 2 hours!

"You're missing some of the best players." Dad said still confused.

"I'm not looking for the best players, Craig. I am looking for the right ones." Herb said.

I still stayed quiet as they began discussing Jim Craig. I knew that whatever Herb was up to, he had his reasons. Herb went to leave the booth.

"Chevon, I want you to stick especially close to Jim Craig right now. He just lost his mother. Maybe you can be of some support to him because you lost your mother too." Herb said as he left. I looked at dad, who just shook his head.

I stood on the side as dad read off the 26 names that Herb had given him. Doc winked at me, I knew he and I would get along. I watched the boys as some of their faces showed great elation and relief at hearing their name called.

The boys who didn't make the cut stood up to leave, while those who did shook hands and talked to each other.

"Take a good look gentlemen, because their the ones getting off easy…" I heard Herb begin his speech. It sounded like he was saying congratulations, you've just entered hell. Knowing Herb that was exactly it!

Herb left and the boys just kinda looked at each other not knowing what to think. My dad congratulated them and then started handing out tests to them as they were leaving. Herb wanted the boys to take Psychology tests of all things.

"Chevon Patrick, how's it going?" I turned and saw Jim Craig standing behind me.

"It's going great Jim. Congratulations on making the cut!" I said and hugged him.

"Some of us are going to that bar near our hotel tonight, you want to join us?" Jimmy asked as we descended the stairs.

"Sure, it'll give me a chance to start getting to know everyone. I guess we are flying to Minnesota to start practices day after tomorrow." I said as Jimmy walked by my dad without taking a copy of the test.

"Yeah, what is up with Brooks choosing a team already?" Jimmy asked and I just shrugged