Icebreaker Read Online Free PDF Page A

assault charges couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
    “Why’s that?” asked Ty.
    “Because the league has decided it’s time to clean up hockey’s image.”
    Adam was skeptical as he folded his arms across his chest. “What does that mean?”
    “It means what I said. The league wants to tone down the on-ice violence in the belief it’ll make the sport more appealing.”
    Michael snorted. “To who?”
    “We’re trying to grow the sport,” said Welsh. He looked directly at Adam. “Look, the league will obviously support you in public when it comes to fighting these charges. But off the record, we want to phase out this kind of violence.”
    “Violence?” Ty echoed, looking at him like he was a moron.
    “He’s got to cut back on the mid-ice hits.”
    “I’m in the room,” Adam pointed out curtly. “You can talk to me directly.”
    “Mid-ice hits are part of hockey, Larry,” said Ty as if he were talking to a child. “I know it’s a dying art, but it’s an integral part of the game, and Adam is one of the best ever at it. It’s part of the reason we acquired him.”
    “It’s like fighting. It turns people off,” Welsh insisted.
    “No, fighting turns people on ,” Michael countered. “You get rid of fighting and the hardest checking, and you lose the essence of the game.”
    Welsh sighed. “Look, I understand this isn’t what you want to hear, but for the league to grow, we believe we have to reach beyond our usual fans and bring in new people: young people, parents with little kids, specifically young American parents with little kids who don’t like their children to be exposed to too much violence. From now on, Adam, we’re going to be watching how you play very closely.”
    “ Madonn ’, are you fucking kidding me?” Michael turned to Ty, incredulous. “You hear this shit?”
    “Calm down,” said Ty. His expression was resolute as he looked at Welsh. “Larry, do what you think you gotta do. But I can tell you right now: the Blades aren’t changing a damn thing about the way they play.”
    “Understood, Ty. I respect you a great deal and just wanted you to understand the big picture. I’ll do what I have to and you do what you have to. Gentlemen.” Welsh rose. “Good luck on the ice tomorrow night.”

    As Michael had advised, Adam asked for the players’ attention before they went out on the ice the next night to warm up—all the players except Esa Saari, who was late. Well, this will give me the chance to kill two birds with one stone , thought Adam. Assure the guys that the lawsuit was nothing to worry about, and then tear Saari a new one when he turns up .
    “Obviously, you all know about the lawsuit,” Adam began.
    “It’s bullshit,” Eric Mitchell blurted.
    “Yeah, it is,” Adam agreed. “Which is why none of you should worry about the case, because I’m not. I intend to keep playing the way I always have, and I expect all of you to do the same.”
    “Sorry I’m late.” Esa Saari came flying through the locker room door, breathless.
    “Nice of you to join us,” Adam said sarcastically.
    “I—”
    “You can tell me your bullshit story in a minute,” said Adam. He resumed eye contact with the rest of the team. “Any questions?” There were none. “Get out there and start warming up, then. Esa and I will be with you in a minute.”
    One by one, the players filed out of the locker room. Adam noticed a couple threw Esa a dirty look. He deserved it. It was disrespectful to his teammates to arrive late when the rest of them made the effort to arrive there on time. Short of the death of a family member, lateness wasn’t tolerated.
    “Well?” Adam asked when it was just the two of them.
    “Subway delay,” said Esa as he frantically began dressing for the game.
    “No excuse. If you’re taking the subway, you should leave extra early just in case something like that happens. Not to mention the fact you earn enough to use a car