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I could barely talk when Tacker strode over toparty has arrived”

My eyes darted around, taking in the sheer a on hiht words, then I notice his wrist “Your cast… I thought you were getting it off early this ?”

Tacker shook his head, lips pressed flat “Doc said it needs another teeks”

“But you were ready to play next week,” I said worriedly, knowing how excited he’d been

“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” he replied with a sly grin “I’ with or without the cast”

“You can do that?”

“Of course I can” He’d laughed, then given ot work to do, so excuse me”

And it wasn’t just players Tacker had brought I was stunned when the Vengeance’s coach, Claude Perron, introduced hier There were other folks froement end, too

Several of the wives and girlfriends also came, so loads of food I had offered to barbeque for the crew, but Tacker had forbidden , and that all I needed to do was rill

While introductions were being anized, I took a moment to observe Tacker and how he interacted with others I was pleased to see that while he looked a little out of his element, he didn’t shy away froroup of mates, whom he introduced me to as his first line—a terame of hockey in our sessions The first line was the best line—the most skilled competitors on a team

Bishop—the captain and right winger

Dax—left winger

Legend—the teaoalie and the assistant captain