Traveling to Japan is a… touchy subject for James. Back when he played under Ogun his team would make semi-frequent trips back to his coach’s home country for show matches. Rose insists that nobody at this game would recognize him, but James couldn't shake the nagging sensation of walking into a trap as his team got off the plane. The grizzlies were even ‘the home team's, just like all those years ago. Even more unnerving was the pomp and circumstance given to this occasion. Banners hung in their locker room welcoming them, and as the time grew closer the crowd’s cheers turned into a dull roar, something that never happened in Ogun’s little matches.

Finally, just before the game, his worst fears came true. A reporter for a local news network came in, and he was put to the job of helping to translate. Rusty though his Japanese was, Ogun had drilled it into his entire team and the reporters began asking how and why he knew Japanese so well. Brushing it off with his usual brusque manner, he simply replied that “this wasn't his first rodeo in Japan, bub”. 

Wrong choice.

Word traveled from that interview, and even a couple SHL people on this project were asking after his past playing hockey here. Thank God for his team, they let him have his private moments but as the lights came on over the rink it was Ogun’s team all over again.

This time, James swore, would be different. For himself, and the Grizzlies. Frustration would be channeled into this new season. Now he wasn't just a rookie, he was part of the team’s family. Where his previous journey ended, he found himself finally looking forward to his new o
ne.