Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Seventeen
Overview
Ottawa acquires Troy Barrett, disrupting Ilya Rozanov’s comfortable team dynamics, though Barrett’s stance against Dallas Kent partly redeems him. Ilya vents to Shane, dotes on the new team puppy, and voices frustration with postponing their future. After Shane’s game, they reconnect; jealousy over Luca flickers, and intimacy returns as Ilya soothes Shane to sleep in Russian.
Summary
In mid-November, Ottawa trades for Troy Barrett, a talented but disliked forward in Ilya Rozanov’s view. On the phone, Ilya complains to Shane Hollander that Barrett will ruin the team’s good vibes, even if he might be an upgrade over Tanner Dillon. They note Barrett’s fallout with Dallas Kent, who has been accused of sexual violence, and agree Barrett may be right about Kent while still untrustworthy as a teammate.
Ilya is consoled by news that teammate Harris is bringing the new team puppy to practice. After Shane’s game in Buffalo, they talk again. Ilya gushes about the puppy, Chiron, and deflects Shane’s questions about Barrett, calling him quiet and unremarkable. Ilya eagerly shares that he posted photos and videos of Chiron to Instagram.
The conversation turns personal when Ilya admits he wishes he could get a dog, then laments that too many parts of their life remain “someday.” Shane tries to reassure him they have time, while acknowledging the strain of secrecy and distance.
They briefly discuss rookie Luca Haas: Ilya calls him smart and very young, teasing that Luca might have a crush on him. Shane suppresses jealousy, praising Luca’s play.
Exhausted from his game, Shane asks Ilya to speak Russian so he can fall asleep to his voice. Ilya obliges, and the call ends with a quiet moment of intimacy that steadies them despite team upheaval and deferred dreams.
Who Appears
- Ilya RozanovOttawa star unsettled by Troy Barrett’s arrival; adores team puppy; longs for a real future; comforts Shane in Russian.
- Shane HollanderCalls from a road game; reassures Ilya about changes; hides jealousy over Luca; falls asleep to Ilya’s Russian.
- Troy BarrettNew Ottawa forward; talented, quiet; traded after condemning Dallas Kent; disrupts Ilya’s team chemistry.
- HarrisTeammate who brings the new team puppy, Chiron, lifting Ilya’s mood.
- Luca HaasSmart rookie; Ilya jokes he may have a crush; prompts a flicker of Shane’s jealousy.
- Dallas KentHomophobic bully accused of assault; Barrett’s break with him leads to the trade.
- ChironTeam puppy; delights Ilya, briefly easing his frustration with team changes.