Meet The Toews

"Okay mini prodigy Toews, first when we enter the UC we are going to go to the main locker room and get our hockey gear on. Second we are going to listen to the coaches and trainers speech. Finally you are going to be the first person out on the home ice for warmup. okay?"
"Okay dad!" I could see the nervousness in Jacobs eyes.
"Now let's hurry up. We don't want to be late, eh?"

Ah. There's nothing in the world that has the scent of the United Center, rubber and pinch of sweat. Jacob and I took the long back way hallway to get into the Hawks locker room before warmup. Jacob is the first non-NHL player to be warming up with an NHL team.

I'm proud of my son. I can tell Jacob is very excited but he hasn't really conveyed his feelings, yet. Personally I'm very pumped to be on my ice with my child. This experience can hopefully encourage Jacob to take up pro hockey just like his father.

"Dad, how long is warmup?"
"20 minutes, but we stay out there for usually 15 minutes." Jacob nodded his head in response.

I opened the locker room door for Jacob. He's been in it before but he's never been in it with the whole team.

"Toews you're late!" Coach Q screamed at me.
"Sorry coach, it won't happen again!" I responded with my cheeks burning. I hate doing something wrong exspecially sense I'm the captain.
"Not you Toews, that Toews." Coach pointed at Jacob. Jacobs cheeks turned tomato red. The red face thing must run in the family.
"I'm sorry Mr.Quenneville." Jacob whispered at coach.
"I'm just messing with ya! Call me coach or Coach Q!" He said hold out his hand. Jacob shook it.

"Jacob go talk to your Godfather, Kaner. I need to talk to Coach privately." I told him. He didn't look like he cared all that much.

"You know Coach thanks again for letting Jacob skate out with us." I gestured to the team, "It seems like Jacob has lost his love for hockey, this will give him a spark to love hockey again." I shook Q's hand. He nodded his head in approval. Before he yelled and scared me by saying, "Alright boys get changed." Coach left the room.

"Dad, dad! Look I have my own area right next to you." Jacob said as he pointed to his name tag on the wooden cubby.
"Looks like you have everything but a jersey!" When I told him that he looked disappointed, "Don't worry they'll have one for you. But really get your gear on." I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Tazer why don't Katie come skate with us today?" Kaner asked from beside me as we were pulling our pads on.
"Because she's going to do it next week."
"Really?" Jacob butted in Patrick and I's conversation.
"Yes, why?" I said
"Because I thought I was doing this because you think I hate hockey!" Wow I guess Jacob did hear. Jacob stood up and stomped out of the locker room. When I looked around the locker room all the boys were staring at me. I finished getting ready.

The coaches and trainers finished their speeches before Jacob came back. I was just about to go looking for him when Coach Q said, "Let's welcome the newest Hawk, Jacob Toews!" Jacob strutted in with his #19 jersey with, "Jacob" on the back while the whole team gave a around of applause.

"Let's do this!" Jacob ran out of the locker room and the team followed for warmup.

As we went on the ice the announcer announced Jacob arrival as the crowd went completely wild. First we did some laps, Jacob wasn't as fast but the team didn't mind. It was fun to pass the puck back and fourth between Jacob and I, we haven't done that since he was four. I guess he forgot he was mad at me.

The crowd starting chatting Jacobs name. I knew what Jacob was thinking, he was going to try to score on the Washington Capitals. He shot a puck a bit past center ice. Jacob took on full speed, the crowd and team chanting his name. He puck handled a little wobbly, I could tell he was nervous.

Jacob puck handled some more before he tripped. It happened in pure slow motion. He tried to catch him self with his wooden stick, it snapped in half. You could hear gasps from the crowd. The bottom half bouncing up hitting him in the face. The slid head first onto the ice, blood smearing. The crowd was silent.

I skated to him as fast as I could. As fast as my heart was beating. I said a little prayer in my head. He wasn't responding when I got to him. I crouched down to him turn part of my body around and screamed for help.

"Jacob it's going to be okay." I told him as the medical team brought the stretcher over. "He doesn't look okay. Call 911." Dr.Terry told one of the medics, "Let's get him off the ice." The crowd was still silent as we left. I told Coach Q as we were passing him I wasn't staying for the game.

When the medics and I got into the locker room Lindsey was pacing. "Lindsey? What are you doing here?" The last time she went to a game was when we were married.
"Do you really think I'm going to miss my sons Blackhawks debut?" She hissed at me. I ignored her.

"Alright the ambulance is finally here! Lindsey you ride in the ambulance. Jonathan you drive." Dr.Terry announced. I didn't agree with the plan but I went along, all I care about is Jacobs health.

Lindsey, the medical team, and Jacob went the back way to meet the ambulance in the back. I was running to the car still in my hockey gear, (minus my skates, I switched to shoes quickly when we were waiting for the ambulance). On my way nearly reaching outside I ran into Katie with tears dripping down her face. "Follow me." We got into the car and started for the nearest hospital.

Notes

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