Sidney
I know that it's part of being a professional athlete but I'm tired of talking to doctors and nurses today. All day there have been bodily fluids to provide and body parts to be tested. They test all the main muscles groups for a hockey player as well as any part that you've ever injured. For me, that includes cognitive testing. I hate being reminded of that time in my life. It was the darkest period I have ever gone through in my life and I hate being reminded of the helplessness of a concussion.
As teams, we meet with the coaches and hear about plays and plans for that part of the game. The defense and forwards meet separately to discuss five-on-five play. We go over position playing and responsibilities for our role. When that's done, we break into power play and penalty kill teams. Everyone will need to be responsible to jump into every position but we'll start practicing within our key roles first.
I'm so happy to have Kuni and Duper healthy and on my line. We have to learn plays that the new coaching team has created and they are very different than the past in a fundamental way. Dan wanted stretch passes first to take advantage of our speed. Mike is taking a different approach. If there is a breakout situation then he wants us to take advantage of it; but, primarily, he wants us to plan, regroup and look east-west for passes if one is needed. The D will run the play up the ice like the quarterback setting up the play. It is going to be a big adjustment for some of us. I know Geno isn't happy with it and I can't really disagree with him. I like a fast game. But, over and over in my head, I remind myself that what we've been doing isn't working so we have to try something new.
Before the next meeting, I detour into the player's lounge to grab a bottle of water. That's when I see that girl from earlier. Shit, what's her name? The intern from PR. Governor's daughter.
When she notices me, I say "hi."
"Hi" she replies with a smile.
She glances around which makes me think that she's lost but probably unsure if she should ask for help. Even if someone isn't intimidated by the players, as this girl clearly isn't, they often don't know how to act.
"Are you looking for someone or something?" I ask her.
"To be honest" she begins "yeah. I am trying to find my way to the trainers' offices but I can't remember which hall it is. We spent a lot of time in the offices over the last few months but I haven't been down here since the tour."
I chuckle "the rooms all look the same, I get it. If you head down that hallway" I point "then you'll see the trainer's office on the right."
"Thanks Sid. You're a lifesaver."
She gives me big smile and I remember her name.
"You're welcome. See you later Anna."
She turns and heads off in the right direction now. I can't help myself from watching her walk away. She is very different than the girls I usually like. Anna is curvy and I like my girls athletic. She has dark hair and I like blonds. She is clearly pressed, tucked and put together in a way that took a lot of effort. My girlfriends are the shower-and-go kind of girls. But there is something compelling about her smile and confidence.
"Sid?"
I hear Duper call me and I continue toward him on way to the weight room. It's time to warm up for fitness testing. Fuck. Pens TV is here to take video of us during testing. This is one of the 'advances' that I hate and makes me wish for the old days when you could work out or practice without worrying about someone taking a picture or video of you. At least they are part of the Pens organization so I know they won't use anything horrible. I just hate that I have to be on guard of my behaviour when I only want to have fun or focus on my job.
After warming up, the first thing we do is body fat testing and get weighed. When I get off the scale, five pounds less than previous years, Geno hears that I'm down five pounds.
"You sick Sid? Bad summer?"
I shake my head and laugh at him.
"We all can't be as big as you are Geno" I yell back
Everyone in hearing distance laughs. Geno works out hard but can't seem to put on muscle. He's strong but will always be skinny. It's a running joke that he can't put on bulk no matter what he does.
The next hour goes by quickly with lots of sweat. Pull ups, push ups, jumps, leaps. It's something to just get through every year. I know that the trainers have my results from the past nine years in front of them to compare but they don't need to tell me. I know exactly where I was when I started last season and every season before and exactly where I am now. My training regime is specific, focused and works from the end goal backwards. At the end of the season, after my vacation, Andy O'Brien, my trainer, and I meet and determine my training goals and then create my plan. This year I wanted to slim down while maintaining power in my legs and core. It worked. I'm down five pounds and it shows in my skating. It feels odd to think about getting older but this is the prime of my career and I need to make the most of this time. This is the time to focus on winning another Cup.
Anna
Damn it. Jen has been called into a meeting with Jim Rutherford so I'm now meeting with Geno alone. In my head, I know I'm ready. I have my questions and know what I need to tell him and Jen has confidence in me. Now I need to have confidence in myself.
Maybe I'm still shaken up from seeing Sid earlier today when I was trying to find the trainer's office. I clearly got lost and completely disoriented. Of course that's when I see Sid. It took me a moment but I pulled myself together and managed to be composed. I keep telling myself that it will get easier, seeing him every day, and I just need to brazen my way through it. If the 'liberal media' beating up my father every day in the media didn't throw me off my game then I can handle seeing Sid every day. It has to get easier, right?
I shake off my anxiety and pull my brain back from taking a trip back in time. I'm meeting with Geno now and I need to focus. This is a great opportunity and I'm going to take advantage of it. Geno is going to love me and the media will continue to love him. This is going to be a great season.
I walk into the player's lounge and Geno isn't there. I'm not surprised given the amount of joking at the meeting earlier about Geno never being on time. It looks like I'll definitely have to manage him.
"Are you looking for Geno?"
I turn and see Marc-Andre Fleury, the team's number one goalie, behind me drinking an apple juice.
"Yeah but if I remember correctly from the team meeting, Geno has challenges with time, right?"
Marc laughs and says "he does. You'll spend a lot of time this season looking at your watch and wondering where Geno is."
I walk over to where Marc is sitting and he gestures for me to join him so I do.
"Do you have any tips for me?" I ask him.
"Well, he's onto the strategy of telling him to be somewhere early so that won't work."
"Darn, that was going to be my first plan" I tell him.
"Don't bother" he says with a big smile.
It's hard not to like Marc immediately. His smile draws you in immediately and he is sweet to chat with me while I wait for Geno.
"There's papa" I hear a woman's voice behind us.
When I turn, I see a beautiful woman set down a toddler who immediately runs as fast as her little legs will carry her to Marc. He stands, catches her in mid run and twirls her over his head. The love between father and daughter is beautiful.
"Hi" the woman says to me. "I'm Veronique."
"Hi, nice to meet you" I reply. "I'm Anna."
This is Marc's wife and a key member to the wives' club. She does a lot for the organization and raises a lot of money for charity. I've also been told that she is incredible sweet.
"And this is Stella" Marc says as he kisses his daughter's cheek and she giggles.
"Hi Stella" I say to the beautiful little girl.
"Say hi to Anna" Marc says to his daughter.
"Anna, Anna, Anna" she sings and claps her hands. "Elsa, Elsa, Elsa" she continues.
I must look as confused as I feel because Veronique laughs.
"She's referring to the movie Frozen. It's her favourite and the sister's names are Anna and Elsa" she explains.
"Ah" I reply and turn to Stella. "Yes, my name is Anna too but I'm not a princess."
She giggles and then cuddles into her dad.
"Ok, let me get my girls home" Marc says.
The family grabs their things and wave as they head down the hall. Once again I'm left waiting for Geno. Thankfully I don't have to wait too much longer.
"Anna" he says and flops down on the couch next to me. "Long day."
"Not that long. I suspect that they are going to get a lot longer when the season begins" I reply.
"Yeah, especially travel."
"Right" I say. "Unfortunately, Jen was pulled into something and is unable to join us. I hope that is ok with you."
"We don't need her, right?" he winks at me.
I pause for a minute and process everything I've been told about Evgeni Malkin and what I'm seeing in front of me. He definitely is a jokester, and a flirt, but he also seems very harmless.
"If you don't mind than neither do I" I tell him. "To begin, I'd like to talk what kind of relationship you want with the media."
"None, can you make that happen?"
"No, unfortunately for you, so let's talk about how we can make this work for you and the media. I understand that are willing to give more interviews and more access to the media this year. Why the change?"
Geno just stares at me making no move to actually answer the question. It feels like he's studying me or trying to figure me out. Even under his scrutiny, I maintain the slight smile and pleasant expression that gives nothing away while I wait him out. Eventually he gives me a small smile.
"I speak better English now" he shrugs and looks at me hesitantly.
It feels like this is an admission that Geno hasn't made before. I've heard that he's been reticent about the press in the past because of what he considers his poor English. It seems like that is true and that he feels better about it now.
"That's great Geno. We can definitely provide additional access for after practice and game interviews. What about the community work? I know that there are team events like Pens and Pins and Skates and Plates." I can't help wondering who names these things. "Do you want to do more personally?"
"Stupid names" he says as if he's reading my mind. "Yeah, I have my own, um" and I know that he's struggling for the word.
I take a chance and ask "foundation?"
"Yeah, right, a foundation. I have a foundation. Most work in Russia but want to do more in Pittsburgh."
"Ok, do you have a particular focus for your foundation? Is it children, sports, an illness?"
"Kids" he says with a big smile. "I still big kid, so" he shrugs.
Ok, he is completely disarming. A big goof comes to mind. I already love him.
"I can talk to the Pens Foundation and see if you can partner with them on an event or some work they are planning. This way you don't have to build something from scratch."
"From scratch?" he looks puzzled.
"Um, you don't have to do everything yourself because they already have people planning it and have the experience of doing it before. If it's your first time, then it's easier to partner with another group who know what they're doing so that you don't' need to figure it out alone."
"Oh, ok."
We talk more about the kind of kids charities he interested in and where he would like to focus his time and money. It's easy to see that he has a big heart while still having a healthy ego like all pro athletes seem to have about their abilities.
"Ok, we done?" Geno asks.
"Just one more thing. I'd like to have a quick chat with you at the beginning of every day. We can do it as your drive in or as soon as you get here. We'll review the day's schedule and any media or public obligations. I suspect you are an 'in the moment' kind of guy and don't like to plan too far ahead."
Geno laughs and not just a chuckle but a full belly laugh. It takes him a few minutes to calm so that he can speak.
"You know me already huh? Ok, we talk when I drive in."
"Great" I tell him and stand.
He stands with me and then awkwardly pats my shoulder. Yeah, he is a big, loveable goof.
"I see you tomorrow" he says.
"I'll talk to you in the morning" he's already forgotten. "What time do you leave for the rink?"
We confirm a time and he gives me his cell number. After he leaves the room, I can't help doing a small 'happy boogie dance' since it went so well.
"Hi" I hear behind me.
Absolutely mortified that someone saw me, I turn around and then I want to die. Of course it's him. Seriously? I quickly replace my broad smile with my professional one. I can't believe he saw me doing my 'happy boogie dance'.
"Hi Sid" I reply and quickly gather my things.
I think I'm going to get away easily and maybe he didn't see me after all.
"You had a good meeting with Geno I guess" he tells me.
Shit, I have no luck. He saw me.
"Yes" I reply and try to look calm rather than completely embarrassed and ready to die.
"Ok then" he replies and I can see that he's trying to hold in a chuckle.
"Yes, ok then. Is there any way that you could forget that you saw that? Not my most professional self" I tell him reminding myself to brazen out the embarrassment and fear.
The smile leaves his face quickly and he gives me a faux-puzzled look.
"Forget about what?" he asks.
I clue into his kindness at pretending he didn't see me.
"Thank you" I tell him and walk out of the room with my head held high. Oh God, I want to just die.
Sidney
"What do you guys think of the new interns?" I hear one of the WBS guys ask.
A group of us have gone out for dinner after the first day of camp. It's mostly the single guys or those with girlfriends not in town. The family guys usually go home directly after practice.
"There are a couple hot ones" I hear another guy agree.
"What's your girl like G?" Sutter asks him. "She looks really up-tight."
"She's nice, good" Geno answers.
The talk turns back to which intern is the hottest with raunchy examples. As the guys debate body parts, and I secretly pray no one in the restaurant can hear us, I glance at Geno. I would have expected him to crack a joke about his intern. Shit, what's her name? But he only made a quick comment and has been quiet since. This is unusual for Geno.
While the guys are all engrossed in their 'hot or not' conversation, I lean towards Geno beside me.
"Everything ok G?" I ask him.
"Yeah, Sid, good."
There's something a little off there. I try one more time.
"Everything ok with" shit what's her name? Ah "Anna?"
Geno looks at me now and replies "she's good. Not like the others. She's going to be good. I like her."
I raise my eyebrows and give him a 'really? look.
"Not like that" he says quickly. "She's not like others, that's it. Nice."
Hmm, maybe if Geno has someone he likes and trusts on his PR team then he'll be more confident talk to the press and in public.
After dinner some of us go to a movie. I know that we're recognized but thankfully no one asks for pictures or autographs. After the movie, most of us go home. Tomorrow we're on the ice and we want to be fresh. A couple of the WBS guys decide to go to a bar instead of home. They'll learn to make better decisions or they'll never make it to the NHL. Even when I told them I was going home to get a good night sleep before tomorrow, they didn't clue in that they should do the same thing. Well, almost all of them. Olli decided not to go to the bar. That's a kid who has his eyes on the prize. God, when did I become so 'old' that I refer to him as a kid?
On the way home, I call Taylor and hear about her day. She's in her last year at Shattucks and will be the starting goalie this year. She split the starts with another girl last year but that girl graduated and Taylor has the spot to herself.
As I hear her talk about that day's scrimmage, I remember the only time we practiced with each other this past summer. I seriously think we both forget how brutal it is to be on the same ice so we try again each summer. It only takes once for us to remember. The arguments started fifteen minutes in and resulted in some very heated words. She said I didn't warm her up enough before I started shooting wristers. Why does she need so much time to warm up?
"Sid?"
"Sorry Tay, my mind was wondering. Remember our practice this summer?" I ask her.
"Remember? I think mom has PTSD from hearing us argue."
We both laugh. We haven't lived together for fifteen years since I went away to play hockey but I still miss her every day. It's when we talk like this and remember our shared life that I miss my sister, a lot. I'm really hoping that she chooses a college on the east coast; although, with all the traveling I do during the season, it's not like I'd be able to visit her a lot.
"I gotta go Sid, love you."
"Love you too brat."
Next I talk to mom and dad. I always talk to my dad after the first day of camp. He'll come to visit during the preseason but always stays away during camp. Training camp is the time for the guys to bond as we get ready for the season. There are always new team mates, and this year there is a whole new coaching staff too, and we need the time to get together as one team.
I say goodbye as I drive into my garage. The house is quiet, very quiet, and I once again wonder if I should have bought it. The house is exactly what I've always wanted complete with the man-cave in the basement. But, it's very large and empty when I'm alone. Often I have my parents or various friends visiting, and then the house is perfect, but now, I feel lonely.
I really need to get a good night sleep so I head up to my bedroom, turn on the Pirates' game and get ready for bed. The Pirates are in the playoffs this year and it's exciting the whole city. We plan on going to a game next week, a few of the guys, and it should be a great game. They're playing the Yankees.
A commercial advertises the Pens upcoming season on ROOT Sports. The season really is almost here. There are high expectations, as usual, and a lot of stress on me to lead the way. I'm used to the pressure and actually accept that responsibility much easier than I did before the concussion. That injury put everything into perspective for me.
A Victoria Secret commercial comes on next and I'm reminded, painfully, that it's been four months since I've had sex. The vacation with my on-again-off-again girlfriend was back in June. We've both used the excuse of how busy we are with our careers and traveling in different parts of the world for why we've never tried to keep it going. Her modeling career has taken off over the past two years. I guess it says something that it hasn't bothered me that we basically only get together for sex.
I shake my head and focus back on the Pirates. Women are a distraction that I can't afford right now. The only kind of relationship I want involves sex and limited talking so that I can focus on what's truly important right now: hockey. So why does an image of Anna dancing in the player's lounge go through my mind?