Chapter Text
~o~o~o~o~o~
Gordon looked at the map of Minnesota that was divided by the Pee Wee districts. He was still absorbing the news that Hans just told him. He, Gordon Bombay, was a Duck.
Hans was right, if he were playing hockey today, he would be playing for District Five’s team. Things would have been so different had he not been a Hawk. That is if he had that chance.
If the district lines were redrawn, is it possible that one of Reilly’s kids is playing for the wrong team? Gordon wondered.
“Gordon?” Hans’ voice brought him back to the present.
“Hans,” Gordon looked back at older man who had been there for him most of his life, as well as his mentor. “Do you think Reilly knows about the district line change?”
“Reilly has been coaching for thirty years. A minor change like this is something I doubt he is aware of.”
“Whether he knows or not,” Gordon stated, “There is a chance he has a player on his team that should be on the Ducks.”
Slight surprise crossed Hans' face before understanding took over. He nodded, “You do know that he is going to be furious if you take one of his players from him.”
“I know,” Gordon agreed, “But Hans, think of the advantage the Ducks could have if we would have if a player from the Hawks came to our side. He would be a big help in any future games, not just the playoffs. Besides, I hate the thought that Reilly knowingly having a Duck on his team.”
“Reilly might not even know,” Hans told Gordon like he had before. “Are you going to use this as excuse to get back at Reilly?”
“No,” Gordon quickly answered. He did not want Hans thinking that this had to do with his history with Reilly. “Just because of what happened nearly twenty years ago, it has nothing to do with what is happening now.”
“Reilly might not see it that way,” Hans warned him. He walked back toward the main part of his store.
“True,” Gordon told his friend as he followed him to the front of the shop. “But I may not find anyone on his team that is a Duck. I just want to make sure.”
~o~o~o~
Twenty-four hours later Gordon was not sure if he wished that statement to be true or not.
He was down at the Pee Wee League office, where he had requested the Hawks’ roster.
If he found a player on this roster that was meant to be a Duck, Gordon was going to have to make an unplanned trip to the Hawks' arena within the next few hours.
As he looked at the list, the name was the first one because it was in alphabetic order. The name might not have meant anything to him, but the number did. Banks, Adam. # 9.
Looking at the boy’s address and than at the map where the district lines were on the map that beside him on the table, Gordon studied the Edina address to make sure he was not mistaken.
He was not wrong.
Letting out a breath, Gordon could not believe it. The very first player he looked up was really a Duck, playing for the Hawks? Leaning back in the chair he was in, Gordon knew he had to check the other players. It had to be one and million chance that the first player on the roster was playing on the Hawks when he should not be.
Banks, why was that name familiar?
It was not just his jersey number, which had been Gordon’s when he was younger. Gordon thought back to the sham of a game, at least for District Five, against the Hawks. One of Gordon’s top ten days he would love to forget in his lifetime. It was not the worst; there were other ones that beat it.
He did now remember how the team played; it was not any different than how he, and his own teammates played when he was a child. They were rougher maybe, but for the most part; Jack Reilly had not changed a bit. His winning motto was still the same.
A memory from the game before came back, the meeting with his ‘old coach’. Of course Gordon having to changing the subject. That was when he remembered.
Adam Banks was Reilly’s star player. Out of anyone that was playing for the Hawks, who was not meant to, it had to be Reilly’s hotshot player. Reilly had said that Banks “might go all the way.”
He remembered Hans telling him that Reilly would be furious with him if he would take one of his players. But Gordon had to admit even he never dreamed it would be Adam Banks out of the entire team. Gordon thought again to the Hawks game.
Gordon had watched the Hawks players, even though he had been furious at his own team for how bad they were. He had to admit, the kid was good. It was not idle boosting Reilly was doing on Banks’ part about his ability. The entire team was good, but the boy himself could go to the NHL one day if he wanted to, Gordon was sure.
As for present day, though, Banks could be an asset for the Ducks. Once they got to the playoffs he would be a huge help to the team. And if they played against the Hawks…
Gordon knew he was getting ahead of himself. Even though he had said as much to Hans, the Hawks were a tough team. They had been number one in the Pee Wees for years, all but one…
He knew that the kid was not going to like him much for uprooting him from the Hawks to the Ducks, but Gordon hoped Banks liked the sport enough to get past the transition.
As he thought back to his own past with how Reilly was toward him; Gordon did not wish Adam to go through the same thing he had. But knowing what he knew now, even though the chances were very unlikely to happen again, Gordon knew that had he been in Adam’s shoes when he was younger, he would have had wanted someone to get him off the Hawks. Maybe if Gordon had been on a different team, that unforgettable championship game would have never happened.
Gordon knew he should tell one of the Pee Wee officials about the mix up with Banks. They would have to go to the Hawks' arena before their game against the Cardinals began.
He had to admit, he was looking forward to the confrontation with Jack Reilly. At least this time, he had the advantage. Which was something he been taught early on. But at least this time it was by legal means.
Gordon smiled as he got up. He looked at his watch. He would have to hurry.
The Ducks had their own game to prepare for against the Flames tonight. It was important that Gordon was back in time for that game. He had to tell his team the good news. They would be getting a new player.