Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

**derrickthomas58** · 03-17-2009, 10:39 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

Cut. I’ve never been cut before. I’ve always been the star. Back on the plane. A lot quicker than I had hoped, and with a lot less flights in my future then I had dreamed. Once word got out about how badly I stunk, nobody else will give me a shot.

Back at home. This sucks. I’m watching TSN on TV. Last year, I was all over this channel, for the good and the bad. The NHL panel is discussing possible moves before the season starts. Darren Dreger is saying could be in the market for a goalie. Poor Darren, he wants to be Bob McKenzie so badly. Pierre McGuire is doing another of his useless Monster Lists. I think he has called everyone in the league a monster. What does that even mean? I get ready to turn it over when I heard one of them mention my name. I turn up the volume and James Duthie is talking about my colossal failure in Calgary’s training camp. Thanks guys, I’ll never get another shot now. He polls the rest of the panel, asking them if I will ever play in the NHL, it’s a unanimous decision…no.

2 weeks later…

My telephone rings in the morning. Too early. Who’s calling at this time?

Me: “Hello?”

Caller: “Hi Larry, this is Don Waddell, GM of the Atlanta Thrashers. We’d like you to come down here and tryout for our team.”

Me: “Really?”

Waddell: “Yeah, even though I heard you stunk it up in Calgary, but let’s face it, we’re the worst run franchise in the NHL, and we need all the help we can get.”

Me: “Wow, I’ll be there, and trust me, what happened in Calgary won’t be happening again. I know I need to work harder to make the team. I won’t let you down.”

Waddell: “Good stuff. Look forward to seeing you soon.”

Back on a plane again. Another shot. Hopefully this time with better results. I’ve been training even harder since getting cut by Calgary. I think I’m in the best shape I have been in since…

**derrickthomas58** · 03-17-2009, 10:42 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

374 days ago…

“Larry…wake up…c’mon.”

Mom? Why is she is my apartment? How did she get here? I’m trying to figure it out when I hear a strange man’s voice…

“Larry, wake up. Larry. Can you hear me?”

Ok, who the hell was that? And why is he with my mother in my apartment? I’m finding it very hard to open my eyes this morning. Man, what a party last night. I finally get my eyes opened and see my mother looking down at me, she looks worried, the guy I heard calling out to me is beside her. Ryan Clarke is also in my room, what is everyone doing here?

Me: “Wha…what’s going on?”

Mom starts crying.

“Hi Larry, I’m Dr. Sheppard. How are you feeling?”

Me: “I’m a little hazy, why are you all in my room?”

Sheppard: “Haziness is routine for your condition.”

Me: “Yeah, I’ve been hungover before, thanks Doct-“

Me: “Doctor? Wait a minute, what’s going on here? Where am I?”

Sheppard: “You’re at the hospital. You’ve been in a coma for two days…”

Me: “What? That’s impossible. I was at a party last night, tell ‘em Ryan…”

Ryan: “Larry, man, listen to him.”

Me: “Tell him about the party.”

Ryan: “Bro, we never made it to the party. We got side swiped by a drunk driver. He hit us on your side of the car.”

Me: “What? That’s not possible. I remember the party. I was talking to a girl there, well, she never said much, just kinda looked at me…”

Ryan: “She was a paramedic, man”

Me: “What? But I remember being carried around the room by everyone.”

Ryan: “That was the paramedics putting you on a stretcher.”

My head started spinning. I tried to get up, to explain to everyone they were wrong.

I couldn’t get up.

Sheppard: “Relax Larry. You won’t be able to get up.”

Me: “What do you mean, I won’t be able to?”

And then I noticed my left leg.

Sheppard: “You suffered a broken left thigh bone and two fractures in your left shin bone. You also got a fairly significant concussion. You’re quite lucky to be alive. Your friend here got away with some cuts and bruises.”

A nurse opens the door to step in…

Me: “This is crazy, will I be able to walk aga-“

Through the open door, I see our team captain, Brain Motzinger being wheeled down the hall…

Me: “Hey, what’s Motzi doing here? Why is he in that wheelchair?”

Ryan: “Larry, man, he was the other driver – the one that hit us.”

**star king3** · 03-17-2009, 07:05 PM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

I laughed at Motzi hitting you KEEP UP THE STORIES!

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 06:37 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

Originally posted by star king3

I laughed at Motzi hitting you KEEP UP THE STORIES!

Thanks for reading.

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 06:39 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

I arrived in Calgary tryout, and I’m ready to continue my dream to the NHL.

It seems the drills here are even harder then they were in Calgary. But I’m responding a lot better than before. Coach Anderson even congratulates me after practice.

By the time I get back to my hotel, my leg is throbbing. I crash on the bed, gritting my teeth as the pain runs up and down my leg. Not once do I wonder if the pain is worth it, of course it is.

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 06:40 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

310 days ago

Reid: “Hi Larry, my name is Spencer Reid. I’ll be your physiotherapist. I’ve reviewed your file and I’m ready to start right now, you have any questions?”

Me: “Will I be able to play hockey again?”

Reid: “Hockey? That’s your first question? Ok, well, I won’t lie to you, you are in for a rough few months here, but it is my hope that you will recover enough to do what you did before the accident. I read up on your hockey career, very impressive. World class speed is what I kept hearing. Now, you should know, that even though you MAY be able to continue your hockey career in the future, due to your injuries, you in all likelihood won’t have the same speed as you once did.”

Me: “But I’ll be able to play?”

Reid: “Larry, I can’t guarantee that. You have a very good shot at it, but you need to concentrate on fixing your leg, and put your hockey career on the back burner for now. Now, let’s get started”

I got started on my therapy, with one goal in my mind…the NHL. The work that Dr. Reid had me doing was tough. I did various stretches, and a little jogging. It was time to try the weights. I couldn’t push much of the weight on the machine with my left leg. After a few repetitions, I couldn’t even move it anymore. I tried to push the weight, my leg trembled from the effort, but I gritted my teeth and kept trying.

Nothing.

Reid: “Ok Larry, that’s enough for today. We don’t want to push it. The leg is obviously not strong enough yet.”

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 06:44 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

I’ve been in After an early morning practice, I was summoned to Don Waddell’s office. It seemed like a long walk to the office. The last time I was on such a walk, it was when Darryl Sutter sent me home. My stomach tightens, and my palms are getting sweaty. What if they cut me? What will I do then?

Waddell: C’mon in Larry, have a seat. How’s the leg?”

Me: “Holding up sir, what’s up?”

Waddell: “We need to talk about your future here…”

Me: GULP “Ok”

Waddell: “Well, both coach Anderson and I have liked the effort you have put forth so far. We have a little something here for you.”

Me: “What is it?”

Waddell: “It’s a contract. One year. You’ll start off in the AHL in Chicago, but if you continue to work hard, you’ll get your shot here in Atlanta. Talk it over with your agent, and get back to us.”

Me: “Oh my god! Are you serious? Yes, I’ll go over it with Lionel tonight and get right back to you!”

Waddell: “Ok, ok kid, no need to get back to me tonight. I do have a life outside of this place ok?”

Larry: “Yessir!”

A contract. One year to start in the AHL. It was a step. One step closer. I could smell it now. I was going to go to Chicago, and I was going to play my heart out, and pretty soon I would be an Atlanta Thrasher.

A couple of days later I’m watching TSN on TV again. Duthie, McKenzie, McGuire, Dreger, they’re all there. It wasn’t long ago they were all saying I didn’t have a chance. I’m proving them wrong. They are doing a segment now on the 5 most interesting players coming into the AHL this year. I’m shocked to see they list me at #3. They wonder out loud if my injury and personal problems will affect me, or are they behind me. They talk about the crash stealing me of my world class speed, but the crash can’t take away my hockey instincts and it can’t take away pure talent. Listed at #2, is the first round draft pick of the Washington Capitals, winger Jeff Shannon. Coming in at #1 was Ottawa’s Jason Skyland. The panel says it’s a toss up between these two young superstars, and perhaps neither will be in the AHL for long. A smile breaks out on my face. I know them both, pretty well. We won World Junior gold together for Canada, twice. The second year, we were the team’s top line, probably the most dominating line ever at the tournament. They are two amazing players, guys who I was supposed to battle with for the #1 selection in the draft. Good to see them doing well.

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 10:28 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

200 days ago…

Reid: “Congratulations Larry, you are finished your therapy. I’m going to miss you. You were the hardest working SOB I have ever worked with. Here’s a prescription for your pills, now….get out of my office!”

Me: “Thanks for all your help, Spence. See you around.”

Reid: “Look me up when your NHL team comes here!”

Me: “Yeah, we’ll see…I hope your right”

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 10:56 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

Well, here we are in Houston. 15 minutes before the game starts. The only sound in our dressing room is the sound of tape squealing off the roll as players put the finishing touches on their uniforms and sticks. The nervous silence is a stark contrast to the raucous crowd out in the stands. The fans are screaming, pounding the floor with excitement. The music from the stadium only adds to the noise. Nobody in our room is saying a word. I look around, for the first time wondering, “Am I good enough?” My stomach clenches, am I going to be sick? God, I hope not. Not now, not in front of my new teammates. What would they think? I dig down and fight the nausea that is building inside me. Is it time to drop the puck yet? Suddenly, our captain, Boris Valabik stands up. He looks every single one of us in the eye. His stare seems to linger on me for a split second longer than on everyone else. Does he sense my fear? My doubt? He starts by saying that tonight is a new chapter for this team. We are a young team, but a determined team. He is proud to be giving his all for our team, and expects each and every one of us to do the same. It’s time, go out there and show everyone that this is our time! My nausea fades away as I stand up, remembering that this was what I was born to do, and tonight the AHL is going to see the birth of it’s next star, with Houston getting the first glimpse. As I start to move to exit the room, I hear a voice from behind me. “Go show ‘em what your made of rook.” I look back at goalie Ondrej Pavelec and reply, “Hell yeah.”

We make our way out through the tunnel, I can see a section of the crowd now, the lights are off and there are spotlight’s going everywhere. As I make my way from the tunnel to the ice, I silently pray that I don’t have a Marc-Andre Fleury moment.

We are heavily booed as we hit the ice…I manage to stay on both feet, one small victory for me. Skating around our end of the ice it hits me…I’m here. No, it’s not the NHL, but it’s professional hockey. It’s a step towards the NHL. This time last year, nobody thought I would be here. I look towards the stands and there is an Aeros fan up against the glass pointing to me rather animatedly and telling me I suck, the beer in his hand going all over his jersey. I just smile and keep skating, denying myself the opportunity of asking him which one of us is on the ice, and which one seems to have a life preserver under his jersey. He’s moved on to one of my teammates, who apparently also sucks. I wonder if his entire vocabulary consists of only “you” and “suck”?

Coach Don Granato calls us over to the bench. He looks at me and says our line is starting the game. The butterflies get more antsy in my stomach. Here it comes, the moment I have been waiting for. I head to center ice with my linemates, Grant Stevenson and Matt Siddal.

My first professional hockey faceoff. And I lost it. Houston comes storming into our zone, cycling the puck around us. Any early barrage for our goalie, but Ondrej holds them off. Defenseman Chad Denny gets control of the puck and we are on our way out of the zone. The pace is quick early, but I’m keeping up. Suddenly the puck is on my stick, I move closer to the slot and let a wrist shot go. Where’s the puck? Is it in? Nope, in the goalies jersey, damn.

Just over a minute to go in the first period, and Houston gets a penalty. Our first shot on the powerplay.

And then it happens.

I was trailing the play as our guys were trying to get the puck past Aeros goalie Nolan Schaefer. I swooped in and picked up the rebound, circled towards the faceoff circle and fed a cross ice pass to Jeff Hamilton. Hamilton sent the pass right back to me and I put the puck into the net, for my first career AHL goal, giving us a 1-0 lead with 38.6 seconds left in the first period.

Second period, Houston goes on the powerplay. Coach Granato sends me out to help kill off the penalty. He has me playing in all situations in my first game, a nice boast of confidence. We kill of the penalty but not long after the Aeros tie the game at 1, heading into the 3^rd period.

Third period, still 1-1. It’s getting late in the game, only 28 seconds left, and we’re in Houston’s zone. Motzko has the puck in the corner, I skate towards the slot looking at Motzko to see if he sees me, he does. Suddenly, I’m stopped in my tracks, I collide with a Aeros defensman. I didn’t even see him. The whistle blows. The ref points at me, two minutes for interference. I argue my case, but to no avail. Coach Granato looks pissed. To make matters worse, Jeff Hamilton gets a holding call at the 20:00 mark, meaning Houston will have a 2 man advantage to start overtime.

We start the OT period down two men, including me. It doesn’t take long for Houston to capitalize on that, scoring 40 seconds into OT, and winning the game 2-1.

Record 0-0-0-1

My Boxscore
G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-	HITS	SHOTS
1	0	1	2	0	4	5

**derrickthomas58** · 03-18-2009, 11:02 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

My hockey card...

Last edited by derrickthomas58; 03-19-2009, 12:35 PM.

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derrickthomas58

MVP

Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1981

#26

03-18-2009, 11:16 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

Here's a couple of other guys in the AHL...

Larry Chaytor's Hockey Card
TEAM	LEA.	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-	PP	SH	GW	HITS	SHOTS
08-09 Chicago	AHL	1	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	4	5
AHL TOTALS		1	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	4	5
NHL TOTALS		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Jeff Shannon's Hockey Card
TEAM	LEA.	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-	PP	SH	GW	HITS	SHOTS
08-09 Hershey	AHL	3	0	2	2	5	2	0	0	0	3	10
AHL TOTALS		3	0	2	2	5	2	0	0	0	3	10
NHL TOTALS		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Last edited by derrickthomas58; 03-19-2009, 12:27 PM.

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derrickthomas58

MVP

Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1981

#27

03-18-2009, 12:22 PM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

This was an extra post I was trying to get the cards to fit right...does this post have two big grey blocks next to it when you guys look at it? Anyone know why mine and Jason's cards seem to be under the line that says the post was edited?

Last edited by derrickthomas58; 03-19-2009, 12:33 PM.

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star king3

Banned

Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2190

#28

03-18-2009, 03:09 PM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

it does and i love this and YAY I'm in it!

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derrickthomas58

MVP

Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1981

#29

03-19-2009, 06:44 AM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

185 days ago

Pain. It’s constant. Someone keeps stabbing me in the leg with a long sharp knife. Although I’ve never seen him and there are no wounds, other than those left by doctors, I know he’s there, getting ready to jab me again. And he does. Bastard! I look at the bottle of pain killers Dr. Reid gave me to help. ‘Don’t take too many, one is strong enough, and the pain will get more tolerable in time’ he said. Well, I took one two hours ago, but my companion with the knife doesn’t seem to know that, or care. Another shot of pain. Hell with this, time for another pill.

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star king3

Banned

Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2190

#30

03-19-2009, 01:11 PM

Re: Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

uh oh extra pill are you gunna be high on painkillers?

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Jason Skyland's Hockey Card
TEAM	LEA.	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-	PP	SH	GW	HITS	SHOTS
08-09 Hershey	AHL	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
AHL TOTALS		2	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
NHL TOTALS		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go…My journey to the NHL

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