I had to go to school the next day. Ever since my dad got hurt I had become very whiny and protective of him. It should be the other way around but what could I say? I was a daddy’s girl. “okay but only today” My mom told me. We were eating lunch in the living room. My mom made an exception because my dad was injured. “mommy, daddy I want to play hockey just like dad. Please.” I looked at them with puppy eyes. “I want to be like daddy. I love hockey. I’m a Staal.” Mom and dad sighed, knowing this was going to happen sooner or later. They were hoping it would be later. “sweetie, dad and I were talking and we don’t want you to be a hockey player.”
“but mommy…I want to be like dad.” Mom looked at my dad for help. “Kyleigh, we love you. We want you happy but this is not something we can let you do. I’m your dad first and a hockey player second. Look at my eye. I don’t want you to get hurt like I have in the past. Remember when daddy was hurt last year, and uncle Jordan?” I nodded. “yes daddy. But you’ll play again.” I smiled. “I’m a Staal.” That made them both chuckle. “yes you are. “I had the same drive that he had at my age. Daddy didn’t do much. He stayed on the couch and lost weight. I hated seeing him like that. It made me sad. I tried to help him. “daddy you can have my eye so you can be all better. I’ll be a pirate.” Daddy chuckled a little. “That’s very sweet of you but I can’t. I’ll be better soon. If not, I’ll be better by next season.” I sighed, as I put in a movie.

Two weeks and five games later, it was my daddy’s team against Uncle Eric and Uncle Jordan’s team. They had come over with grandma and grandpa. “Uncle Jordy, I have to show you my room.” I gave him a look that no one saw that meant I needed to talk. I may only be six, but I picked it up from my mother. We got to my room and sat on my bed. “I want to play hockey and be in the NHL like you, uncle Eric and daddy. Mom and daddy wont let me.” Jordan sighed knowing it wasn’t his place to say. “Listen, your mom and dad love you. As well as all of us. They just don’t want you hurt like daddy or me. Maybe you could show them you’re tough like your dad and maybe they will change their minds.” This was not a conversation he liked having with his cute, innocent niece nor would he like having it with his own little girl if he had one in the future.

My dad was back to practicing with the Rangers and that meant maybe he would be back for the game in Raleigh. I had gone down with him and the Rangers team. Mom had to stay in New York. “Parker, Kyleigh come here.” Uncle Eric called us downstairs. Dad pulled me up on his lap as we sat at Eric’s house. “so…we have some news. Uncle Jared has been called up. He will playing in the game with us.” Uncle Jordan said. Our faces lit up. “yay!!” we jumped up and down. “daddy can we call uncle Jared?” I asked my dad. “no sweetie. He’s on his way here now. You’ll see him soon. Now why don’t you and Parker go make a sign for Uncle Jared.”
“Auntie Tanya can you help me and Parker make signs for Uncle Jared, Uncle Jordan, Uncle Eric and daddy?” I asked my aunt. “sure sweetie.” After the signs were made, Parker’s said “Good Luck daddy, Uncle Jordan and Uncle Jared” and on the back it said “no one likes Uncle Marc” Mine said “good luck Rangers” and on the back said “Good luck Uncle Jared! No one likes Uncle Eric and Uncle Jordy.” Me and Parker couldn’t wait to go to the game that night.
Yes, I was so excited that my Uncle Jared was called up to play for Uncle Eric and Uncle Jordan’s team, the Carolina Hurricanes. As soon as they announced that Uncle Eric, Uncle Jordy and Uncle Jared were starting, my face fell. “what’s wrong babygirl?” my dad asked, noticing my change of moods. “you should be out on the ice, starting this game against your brothers. This isn’t fair. All of us are here and you aren’t on the ice with them.” I began to cry. “why can’t you play just for puck drop daddy?” My dad sighed, “because I’m not ready. I can’t just be out on the ice because I want to make history, or just to play against my brothers. It doesn’t work that way Ky.” I giggled. “you would be outnumbered daddy.”

Overall the game went well. As to be expected Uncle Jared was on Uncle Jordy’s line. I don’t know why all three of my Uncle’s weren’t on the same line. After the game, we all waited down in the family room. I couldn’t wait to see Uncle Jared. “daddy when are they coming out?” I whined. I was beyond tired but wanted to see my Uncle’s. Afterall I rarely got to see them. At this point we would meet daddy at home but since we were in Carolina, I wanted to wait. Finally I saw Uncle Jared come out of the locker room. I knew he had interviews, as my daddy usually did after a game. “uncle Jared!” I ran and he picked me up in his arms. “you played so good.”
Since my dad wasn’t going to go home for the last game, as he wouldn’t be playing, I was allowed to stay at Uncle Eric’s. Of course Auntie Tanya made Parker and I go to bed. My dad was staying with uncle Jordan with uncle Jared. We were all going to go up to Pittsburgh.