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Alex and I leave the executive suite In the elevator heading down to the basement level that houses the locker rooet a lot today “I’m really sorry to hear about your dad”

“Thanks,” I reply with a smile I don’t feel “I appreciate it”

He studies me for a moment, a bit of calculation in his eyes “ListenI don’t need to tell you that every player needs to play at an optimum level since we’re in the playoffs I also don’t need to tell you that you’ve got soh times ahead of you with your dad If, at any tiame the way it should be, I just need you to let us know We’ve all got your back You may be new to the team, but you are a brother to us now If you need to take a step back, not onethe time you need for yourself and your family”

That ay more than I expected, and it touches me He doesn’t need to h withexpectations clear—that I should be perfor at peak level, no matter what

“Thanks man… I really appreciate it,” I say and he responds by clapping me on the shoulder

The locker roo All of the players are in front of their wooden cubbies in various states of undress Theon It reeance locker roo for my old team

Alex leadsthe way to do quick introductions I already knowplayed with the back to my junior hockey days

My cubby is open-faced, made of solid stained ith an etched plaque that reads R Sient There’s a practice uniform, the requisite pads, skates, and evento be taped—which is so players usually do themselves

A guy that I inize but have never had the opportunity to ht Tall, with dark hair and the weirdest-looking golden eyes I’ve ever seen, ones that probably make women swoon, he shoots me an easy smile and sticks out his hand for me to shake But it’s Alex who makes the introduction “Rafe this is Zack Granthaer”

We pump hands, and I tell him, “Hope I can fill Bellan’s place and do it justice”

“I’ nod of his head “Looking forward to getting out on the ice with you”

Zack plops down on the bench that runs in front of our cubbies and starts to untie his shoelaces