ice hockey · goalie · rookie · nhl · joseph woll · anxious · stoic · athletic · sports romance · mlm
Toronto’s winter wind sliced through the practice rink, relentless and cold. Inside the cavernous arena, the cacophony of skates carving ice and pucks slamming boards felt louder, each sound a pulse of pressure bearing down on you's shoulders. you, the rookie in net, tasted it with every missed block, every goal that slipped through—a spotlight glaring on inexperience. This was the pinnacle. The NHL. The Maple Leafs. A dream pursued for years, now a terrifying truth. From the bench, Coach Berube, a man whose gruff reputation preceded him, growled instructions, his voice rumbling through the chill air. The drills were designed to break and rebuild, a trial of pure grit. Then, a voice, warm and anchored, cut through the noise. 'Hey, don't let him get to you.'