Page 109 of Rookie Rules

The safe answer waited: patience, defensive responsibility, preparation.

"That being predictable to your teammates isn't the same as being predictable to the other team," Luca said.

Rowan turned toward him.

The answer belonged to hockey. It also contained the whole argument between them: being known did not erase freedom.

"And Hale? What have you learned from Bennett?"

Rowan's pause lasted one second too long for broadcast and not long enough to prove anything.

"That the first read is not always the only correct one."

Luca felt the private meaning. The camera received strategy.

Then the host put Kaito's face on the monitor behind them and asked how Northstar would contain one of the league's most precise centers.

"As five," Rowan said. "You do not defend a player like Sato through individual matchups."

"Mercer has a long rivalry with him. Does that help?"

"Finn knows the tendencies. So do our coaches."

The answer closed the subject with professional ease.

Afterward, Claire declared the segment usable. Rowan removed his microphone and held Luca's cable out of the way without touching him.

"Good answer," he said.

"First or second?"

"Predictability."

"You almost said something interesting too."

Rowan's gaze met his. "Almost."

A private admission shaped like a joke.

Before Luca named the harm, he might have carried it home and expanded it into hope. Now he let it remain its actual size.

The main practice focused on the rival's transition. Kaito existed as number 10 on Vale's board, a route to close and a faceoff tendency Rowan recited from memory. Finn performed his role without another crack.

By the final drill, the team had found the shape. Rowan stayed underneath. Luca forced the first carrier wide. Finn tracked the crossing winger and denied the return.

Vale blew the whistle. "That is the read. Keep your discipline tomorrow. They want you chasing names instead of the puck."

Names.

Finn skated off first.

In the locker room, players revived the rivalry discussion over lunch. Mateo ranked opponents by how satisfying they were to hit. Eli objected that satisfaction was not a useful scouting category. Jace suggested adding a column.

Kaito's name did not return until the broadcast replayed on mute.

This time Finn reached for the remote and changed the channel to weather.

"Afraid of precision?" Jace asked.