AAOOOSC! Junior Powers!

Dark.

Then lights.

A row of lights flicks on along the cream-coloured walls, illuminating the massive theatre. The stage is deluged in the light from above, its deep red curtains sparkling and polished wooden flooring glinting.

Little warm lights line down the aisles between the sections of the velvet red audience area, lighting the path for three holographic figures.

The three holograms are elderly men hobbling down the aisle while gazing around their surroundings. Their glowing, holographic outlines give off a soft blue light in the dusky room.

The one to the left is is Harold Anderson, the founder of the United States Hockey League. The one in the middle is Ed Chynoweth, the founder of the Canadian Hockey League. Lastly, the one to the right is President Theodore Roosevelt, the founder of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“What are we doing here?” Harold asks in a gruff tone.

President Roosevelt turns to Ed, adjusting his delicate glasses. “Are you sure we're supposed to meet up here?”

Ed nods slowly. “Yes, Mr. Gorman said to…”

“Ah, greetings, my fellow league founders!” a familiar voice is heard booming from ahead.

The three holograms halt in their tracks and peer ahead, catching sight of the stage.

Ambling happily on the stage is another holographic man with a massive grin. This is Thomas Patrick Gorman, or Tommy Gorman, the founder of the NHL.

Tommy halts in front of the other men, still on the luminous stage. “And Mr. President,” he finishes off, extending a translucent hand toward the holographic man with glasses.

“Why did you bring us here, Mr. Gorman?” President Roosevelt questions loudly for the man on the stage to heard.

Tommy ambles to the nearby steps and goes down them, descending to their level. He then takes a nearby seat next to the aisle in the middle row.

He holds his hand out toward on the seat next to him. “Please, take a seat.”

The three founders round the row, settling to Tommy’s left.

Tommy turns to them with a slightly grave expression. “Are you men aware that supernatural powers exist?”

“Yes,” Ed, the man right next to him, replies, “I did have some of my players have your league’s powers, such as Tavares and Crosby and Ward.”

Tommy peers ahead at President Roosevelt and Harold. “And you two?”

“Same as Mr. Chynoweth,” the President replies.

“Yes.” Harold firmly nods once.

“Good, good.” Tommy rubs his chin with his eyes downcast, forming his next sentence in his head. He gazes at them. “I brought you men here today to address a problem and a solution.”

Harold juts his chin at him. “Go on.”

“You are all aware of the supernatural universe. But do you guys know its potential?” Tommy grasps onto the armrest. “It it beneficial and dangerous? If there are supernatural beings out there, they can inflict harm on your leagues. And if they do, who will stop them?”

“I’ve never thought of that…” Ed rubs his chin while peering up. He then looks at the NHL founder. “I would say the power players destined for your league would stop them.”

“Yes…” Tommy appears hesitant. “Unfortunately, that won’t work since their powers aren’t up to par due to not being on their right team yet.”

President Roosevelt lets out a chuckle, a smile under a bushy mustache. “Who would want to take over junior leagues and my athletic colleges?”

Tommy drums his fingers on the armrest. “I must say, villains are pretty irrational. No sense can get through them, which is why they do what they do. Yet, the dangers I am presenting you can be tamed.”

Harold knits his eyebrows. “How so?”

“Well, I’m glad you asked, Mr. Anderson.” Tommy shoots him a fine grin. “The solution: have your own power players.”

Ed eyes him with raised eyebrows. “Are you saying that we use the same supernatural method as your league?”

“Yes: power players!” He holds his hands out toward them. “You can have supernatural guys on your team, representing their team with team-related powers. And if a villain comes along and threatens your leagues or teams supernaturally, you can use your powers players as a defensive weapon.”

President Roosevelt has skeptical eyes on him. “What are the downsides of having power players?”

“Didn't your power players turn into villains?” Harold adds on harshly.

Tommy stays still for a moment. “Oh yeah...they did.” He chortles. “Haha, that was our main concern on the supernatural side. But we have more good guys than bad guys and a handful of neutral power players, where they don't take either side. But as of right now, we have no villains.”

Harold has a frown at him. “I don’t know, I feel like this plan sets to create more drama. Set to create an unnecessary villain to destroy. I don’t want my men to go through that.” He peers at the other two founders.

“I like the idea a lot,” Ed remarks warmly. He turns to the NHL founder. “The villain doesn’t only have to come through my own league, it can come from anywhere, right?”

“Indeed,” Tommy replies, “which is the frightening part.”

“You know what?” Ed promptly rises to his feet. “I’ll call the other three founders of mine to have their say in this.” Then with a closed smile, he strolls away.

Tommy turns to the collegiate founder. “Mr. President?”

President Roosevelt gives him a slight frown. “I’m lukewarm about this.” He holds his hand out toward the direction Ed went through. “I like the idea, like Mr. Chynoweth.” He redirects his hand behind him, where Harold is sitting. “But I can also see the dangers presented in it, like what Mr. Anderson said.” He folds his hands on his lap. “I’ll play it safe: I’ll only give one college the powers.”

Tommy raises his eyebrows. “Just one?”

The NCAA founder cocks his head to a side. “And then if all goes well and the power player does not do anything foolish, I’ll expand it to a conference. And then a division. Then all three divisions.” He shrugs. “But it depends.”

Tommy has inquiring eyes on him. “And this is only for hockey right?”

“I’ll discuss more with the founders of other professional sports league,” he replies firmly. “But for now, I will do hockey.”

The NHL founder then turns to the USHL founder. “Mr. Anderson?”

Harold shakes his head with pursed lips. “Fine. I’ll heed Mr. President’s advice: I’ll do one team for the time being.”

A big grin appears on Tommy’s face. “Splendid! Better than nothing!”

Ed then strolls back into view and takes his seat next to Tommy. “I’m back and they love it, especially Mr. Hunter!” He holds up three fingers in the air. “He wants three power players!” He is referring to Bill Hunter, the founder of the Western Hockey League, one of the three leagues under the CHL.

“And the others?” Tommy asks of the other two leagues under the CHL.

“Mr. Stanley and Mr. LeBell want one each.” He is mentioning Arthur Stanley, the founder of the Ontario Hockey League, and Roberto LeBell, the founder of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

“Just like us!” President Theodore remarks, well-pleased.

“I’m so glad you are all on board with this!” Tommy holds out his hands toward the three founders. “Now, which teams would you select?” He lowers his hands on his lap.

Ed whips out a sheet of regular paper from the inside of his sports coat and peers at it. “Mr. Hunter selected the Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Spokane Chiefs. Mr. Stanley selected the Hamilton Bulldogs. And Mr. LeBell selected the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.”

Tommy’s eyes light up. “Five power players! Amazing!” He then turns to the President. “And you, Mr. President?”

“I’m gonna go with Boston University: the Boston Terriers,” he replies.

Tommy reverts his gaze to the last founder in the back. “And Mr. Anderson?”

“Hmmm…” Harold rubs his neck in deep thought. “I’m going to choose the Sioux Falls Stampede.” He drops his hand.

“Magnificent!” He averts his attention back on the three founders. “Now, shall we choose the power players and bestow their team’s powers on them?”

“Yes!” Ed shouts eagerly.

President Roosevelt nods his head. “Certainly.”

“Very well.” Harold keeps a cool mien on the NHL founder.

“Alright, men.” An enlivened smile grows on Tommy’s face. “Let us go make history in the supernatural world of junior and collegiate hockey.”

Notes