Finding His Shot by Sarah Rose Read Free Book Online

Chapter One
    Chris Savard was heading to the locker room when his Assistant Coach pulled him aside.
    “They need to see you upstairs,” he said.
    “Ok Coach,” Chris responded. He knew this was not going to be a good meeting. He had been a highly regarded prospect in high school. He was so good that when he was drafted in the third round he decided to forget college and go right to playing in the pros. After a season of Junior hockey he got called up to the minor leagues. He was just a stone’s throw away from being in the Pro’s but so far this season had been a disaster. He had gone from a steady point producer in the Juniors to barely scoring at all now. To make it worse Chris had become somewhat of a goon. Angered by the lack of scoring production he turned to fighting. 
    Last night’s game was no exception. After logging twenty minutes of ice time and only two shots he took a hard check into the boards from the other team's Right Winger. Chris immediately retaliated and pummeled the opposing player so badly that he got kicked out of the game. He was sure he was going to get fined and maybe even suspended.  
    He walked up the stairwell and headed to his head coach Marc Bruner’s office but he found the door was locked and the lights were out. He stood outside the office for a minute thinking maybe that Coach was running late until he saw Team President and General Manager Steve Garrett coming up the stairwell.
    “Chris, we will be meeting in my office,” Steve said walking past him and down the hall. Chris felt a sense of dread come over him. Generally meeting with the Team President was not good. Chris felt for sure he was getting a massive fine and a suspension. He walked down the hallway behind Steve and sat down in front of his desk.
    “Chris, I think I speak for everyone when I say that this season has been a disappointment for you,” Steven said.
    “I know I’ve had my troubles this season but I’m close to getting it all turned around,” Chris said.
    “Troubles? Kid you nearly put that guy in a coma last night. Not to mention ever since we brought you up here you seem to have forgot to score goals.” 
    “I know, I promise I’m going to turn it around soon,” Chris said.
    “I really do think you have the talent kid but you seem to have some kind of mental block going on keeping you from reaching your full potential,” Steve said.
    “I promise if you just give me a chance I can prove to you that I belong up here,” Chris pleaded.
    “Well Chris if it were up to me I’d give you that chance but it’s not up to me anymore. The big club heard about your incident and they traded you last night to Edmonton,” Steve said. Chris sat in stunned silence. As he sat there his Coach Marc Bruner walked in.
    “It’s a tough break kid but in the end I think it’s best for you. Now I just got off the phone with the coach over in Bakersfield and he has a plan to get you back on track. Plus look at it this way spending a winter in California is a lot better than spending it in Pennsylvania,” Marc said.
    “Bakersfield? I didn’t know there was a team at this level out there.” Chris said. Both Steve and Marc looked at each other. Finally, Steve spoke.
    “There isn’t. Edmonton decided to send you down a level. We wish you the best of luck kid. We both know you are going to turn it around,” Steve said standing up and extending his hand. Chris shook it and walked out the door with Marc.
    “Ok, Chris you need to get your bag packed, your bus for Bakersfield leaves in two hours. Your new Coach's name is Dan Hughes and there should be someone at the bus station from the team to pick you up.” Marc said.
    “Thanks Coach,” Chris said still trying to process all that had just happened.
    “You have incredible talent and I have no doubt that you are going to put it together and become the hockey player we all know you can be. Show everyone that they were wrong about you,” Marc said. He patted