Page 136 of Rookie Rules

He could play. That was the standard he had used for years, even when medical staff asked more complicated questions.

The team was 6-6. Gabriel had stabilized after the rough loss. Mateo had completed his accountability plan and taken no retaliatory penalty since. Every immediate problem had a protocol.

Luca had stopped consulting Rowan about decisions beyond hockey.

Boreal House had accepted most of Claire's proposed protections. Luca had authorized the counter, not the campaign. Rowan knew because Claire mentioned possible fitting dates during a staff meeting, not because Luca told him.

That independence was sensible. Rowan had advised it.

It also meant Luca no longer brought him the questions that mattered.

Vale ended practice with a defensive-zone scrimmage. Rowan's line started together, but Luca surrendered possession twice by checking Rowan before acting. The extra fraction of a second was enough for pressure to arrive.

On the third attempt, Luca ignored him, carried through the first defender, and shot from a poor angle instead of finding Finn in the middle.

The goalie steered the puck into the corner.

"Freeze," Vale called.

Players coasted to a stop.

Vale pointed at Luca. "What did you read?"

Luca pushed his mouth guard against his lip. "I thought the lane would close if I waited."

"Did it?"

"No. Mercer was open."

"Why didn't you use him?"

Luca's attention passed over Rowan and returned to the coach. "I was late deciding whether the first option was allowed."

The statement contained no accusation. It did not need one.

Vale turned to Rowan. "Was it allowed?"

Twenty men waited on their skates. Rowan could protect his authority by qualifying the read. He could mention the weak-side defenseman or Luca's high turnover rate under pressure.

"Yes," he said. "My earlier correction was wrong."

Vale nodded. "Good. Now everyone can stop guessing. Run it live."

The scrimmage resumed. Luca used Finn on the next entry. Finn returned the puck below the goal line. Rowan reached the slot, but the pass caught him between strides when his right leg failed to extend fully. He redirected it wide.

Owen called him over as soon as the drill ended.

"Table," Owen said.

"I have range."

"Congratulations. Table."

In the medical area, Owen tested adduction, rotation, and resisted flexion. The ache remained deep and manageable. No sharp pain, no loss of strength large enough to force a shutdown.

"Your stride shortened twice," Owen said.

"It released."