девятка! Devyatka! (I Want It!)

I was so excited. I was in Dallas, Texas - in America! - and being looked at by my dream job, the NHL. I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening to me. For a little bit, I’d lost hope, but I had escaped and faced the odds and pulled through. I was a warrior and I had impressed the coach and the players of the Dallas Stars.

Two days later, Tyler and Jamie both walked into the guest room, where I was now staying. They had large smiles on their faces and I was curious.

“Val, Lindy called us and told us that he wants you to join the team! He wants you to come to camp and tryout!” Jamie exclaimed. Beside him, Tyler looked like a kid getting a present he’d always wanted for Christmas or his birthday. He was trying his best not to burst with excitement.

I looked at them, unable to hold back my excitement. I sprang out of the bed and ran to them. I threw my arms around them both and gave them big hugs. They both hugged me back, laughing.

“That’s awesome news! I want go to play for Stars!” I screamed.

“We’re proud of you. You’re our baby Russian!” Jamie stated, smiling.

“Yeah, now the three of us can carpool to the rink and see each other!” Tyler exclaimed. “It’s going to be so awesome!!”

I pulled back and Tyler grabbed my hands with his and began jumping up and down like a pogo stick. He was super enthralled by the news and by my happiness. I couldn’t hold back either, jumping up and down with him.

“Моя семья! Моя семья! Бенни и Segs!” I shouted out in a chant. “Моя семья! Бенни и Segs!! (My family! Benny and Segs!)”

They both looked at me, “What’s “Moya sem’ya” mean?”

“семья means ‘family’! My family!”

“Oh!” Jamie remarked. “Yes, we are your family Val.”

Tyler wrapped his arms around me in a big bear hug now. “I’m so happy and proud of you! You deserve this!”

“Careful Seggy, you’ll kill the boy. Don’t kill ‘im now!” Jamie joked, smacking his friend on the arm.

Tyler released me and apologized. We all walked into the kitchen and ate and then got dressed and hopped into the car. As always, Jamie drove, Tyler sat in the passenger seat, chatting him up, while I sat in the backseat. I was a baby Russian, but not a baby, but I sat in the middle and often felt like one. I didn’t mind though.

We made it to the rink and I was introduced to my new teammates. There was one guy in particular who I knew. Sergei Gonchar. He was the only other player currently in the league - that I knew of - who hailed from my birth city of Chelyabinsk.

He greeted me in Russian and with a smile. Then I was introduced to the others: Alex Chiasson, Cody Eakin, Antoine Roussel, Ryan Garbutt, Ray Whitney, Rich Peverley, Erik Cole, Trevor Daley, Vernon Fiddler, Shawn Horcoff, Brenden Dillon, Kevin Connauton, Colton Sceviour, Stephane Robidas, and more rookies. I already knew Jordie Benn, Alex Goligoski and my “foster parents” Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

I felt like I was wanted and liked. I loved this feeling and I couldn’t wait to get on the ice and make friends and be one...and...

...A part of the Dallas Star family!

Notes

Sem'ya means family and Val has a family!!!!
The Dallas Stars are just one big happy family, like the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Colorado Avalanche...any team really. They were are all families and brothers.
And thus, what I have begun to call the trio, The Russian Bacon Line was created. Tyler + Jamie = Bennguin = Bacon + Val = Russian Bacon :D


Next up: The Return of Brad!