Mashop de Devilwok neva hear him name call pon draft day. No big stage, no fancy suit, just back a Kingston, still a ball up puck pon di ol’ outdoor rink weh dem flood fi winter. But Mashop nuh lose faith. Him know seh fi him shot deadly, fi him patois sharper dan skate blade, an’ one day, di hockey world ago notice.

While drafted yutes dem a sign contract an’ pose fi photo, Mashop De Devilwok. No team send nobody fi help him, no veteran mentor, no relocation consultant. Just him cousin, Biggsy, weh drive Zamboni part-time an’ swear seh him coulda be agent if him “did bother.” Biggsy help Mashop scrape plane ticket money fi fly go tryout wid SMJHL team.

First time Mashop walk inna pro lockerroom, him confuse. Everybaddy stare. One man ask if him “lost” or “lookin’ fi di cricket pitch.” But when Mashop start wire puck top cheddar in practice, dem stop laugh.