It has been a couple of days since the end of the NHL season and you are thinking about what you could do before the season starts up again. You know you will be doing some press stuff and that's it. You moan in frustration.

"What's wrong Avery?" Your agent asks.

"Well, Bobby I'm just thinking about what I can do now that the NHL Season is finished." You reply. Maybe he could think of something for you. The smile on his face changes from a confused one to a genuinely happy smile.

"Have you considered playing internationally?" Bobby asks. His face lights up at the idea of you playing internationally.

"You must be joking," You almost spit your tea over him. You know you have a good track record at Tampa bay but you are nowhere near the level of the rest of the candidates. You know Bobby is not joking otherwise he wouldn't have suggested it.

"No I have a few favours that I can pull for you," Bobby reassures you. The problem is you know you will have to owe Bobby a lot more than you already do. You are suddenly hit by a wave of positivity.

"I already owe you a lot so what the heck go for it," You remark. There isn't much that you can lose. Hopefully, Bobby can pull it off.

"The only thing you owe me now is a photo of you and the team with the IIHF world championship trophy," Bobby declares. Two days later you are with one of your roommates. You are waiting for Bobby to call you with the news. You can tell that your impatience is contagious.

"What is taking Bobby so long?" She asks.

"Look Marcie I think Bobby is going to struggle," You reply. You get the feeling that this may have been a hopeless endeavour. Your phone's ringtone breaks through the conversation. You quickly answer.

"Hey, Bobby is it good news?" You timidly ask.

"You are on your way to Stockholm," He replies. Those are the words you have been waiting to hear. You are suddenly hit by a wave of relief. You can feel the smile creep up on your face. At least you can relax in the knowledge that you will be playing internationally.

"You should tell the team," Marcie suggests.

"Good point," You respond. It doesn't take long for you to gather the team. You are getting curious looks from most of the forwards.

"So you said you have some news?" Steven Stamkos remarks. You can tell that he is a little curious.

"Yes, I'm playing for Team Canada," You announce. You find yourself glancing at Andrei because you know he will be goaltending for Russia. You get the feeling that you will both be meeting as enemies. The thought makes you giggle.

"What's got you giggling?" Andrei asks.

"Just the fact that I have to go against you," You respond. It has been a month since you told the team that you will be playing internationally. You are getting ready for the flight to Stockholm. You are joined by some of your team Canada teammates. You are finding yourself engaged in an interesting conversation with Marc Andre Fleury. He seems happy about having you as a backup goalie. You find it odd how Jonathan Marchessault is listening in but not offering you any advice.

"Avery you will do fine," He tries to make you feel better.

"I know," You respond. You all quickly make your way to the airplane that will be taking you to Stockholm. At least Bobby knew what he was doing to get you this spot.

"Hello, Marc, Jon, Avery," The group is greeted by Mitch Marner. He seems to be in the best mood ever for someone who is going on a long flight.

"Hey Mitch," you beat the others to greet the new arrival. It doesn't take the others long to find the group of players. It has been a couple of days since you arrived in Stockholm and you are getting ready for the first practice as part of the IIHF's team Canada. You still feel a little out place as a last-minute addition but the others have made you feel a little better. You brace for a shot from Matt Duchene. He has one of those looks that says he is going to try and score no matter what. He tries his best to get it around you but you are able to catch it with your glove.

"That was a good glove save Avery," Matt remarks.

"Thank you," You reply. After thirty minutes of practice, everyone is having a drinks break. You carefully pull your helmet away from your face.

"Avery I would like you to start as goalie in the opening game," The coach remarks. You are about to say something but you are interrupted.

"Don't worry about me. I've asked if I could be on for the game after," Marc explains. It doesn't take long for the practice to start up again. Thanks to the announcement of you being the starting goalie for the next game you are given a boost of confidence. You brace yourself for a shot from Mitch. He tries to get it around you but you are able to block it with your helmet. You spot the Russian coach who is in deep conversation with your coach. It looks like they are planning a friendly training match.

"Hey Avery," Your thoughts are interrupted by Andrei.

"Hello Andrei," You close the gap between the both of you.

"So it looks like we are going to be enemies this time," Andrei remarks. You give him a thoughtful nod because you don't know how to answer him. It doesn't take long for a friendly match to begin. The fact that you have had a chance to talk to Andrei has put your mind at ease about the tournament. At least Matt has won the face-off. You get the feeling that the tournament will be interesting.