Breaking Point

By John Leung

What will you do when your dream is shattered and your life falls apart?

Twenty-year-old Casey Fleury wants to play in the NHL to prove his worth and be appreciated by family and friends. As this is his final year of junior hockey, it is also his last chance to attract NHL scouts and turn pro. However, his anger issues and over-competitiveness jeopardize his career dreams.

After injuring the heavily-scouted Adam Point during a game, Casey is expelled by his team as the league president—who knows Casey's Christian background—suggests Casey to change his violent behaviour by playing Christian hockey at the church that he once walked away from. The strict rules and the players' poor hockey skills prompt Casey to resurrect his hockey dreams without God's help—like his old teammate Kenneth Johnson, who is now flourishing in the NHL after he disregarded God.

Adam Point is a committed Christian for years who longs for Casey's return to God's family. However, his faith is shaken after suffering injuries from the on-ice incident with Casey and learning about Casey's life misfortunes that drive him further away from God.

As life's misfortunes consume Casey and doubts in God choke Adam, only one option is left as they both reach their breaking point...

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Leung
• Release date: Sep 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781775061229

John Leung

Born in Hong Kong, live in Vancouver, Canada, and Christian since 2006. For my full bio, please read it at http://johnleungstories.ca/about-me/

Book preview

Chapter One

Casey Fleury entered the dressing room with bouncy strides and squared shoulders.  His hockey bag beat against his side with rhythm.  His smile never left his face.

The illumination of the bright light bulbs glowed on him like a star on stage.  Well, he wasn't just like a star, he was a star on the Vancouver Steelers hockey team as far as he knew and was told earlier that day by his coach.  He was the team captain and the top defenseman who routinely got high minutes.  With another stellar season, he may very well be on his way to the NHL.

At least, according to his coach, this would be a certain possibility.

Just so you know that there will be some pro-league scouts watching you tonight, his coach told him on a phone call this morning.  I'm talking about NHL scouts who are looking for undrafted talents to fill their  roster.  This is your chance to shine, so be your best.

Casey brushed his neatly-parted dark-brown hair and uttered a chuckle as he reminisced his coach's words.  NHL wasn't just a random three-letter acronym or just another sports league; it was a league that he grew up watching, idolizing, and dreaming of playing for.  And now, it was within his reach!

The theme music of Hockey Night in Canada rang vibrantly in his ears just then, followed by the images of him watching the games first with his dad in the living room when he was little, then in his bedroom by himself while surrounded by posters, jerseys, and souvenirs when he was old enough to turn his room into a hockey shrine.  His dad had even threatened to kick him out to the shed, for his expression of emotions—both verbally and physically—often shook the house, until he moved out on his own merit recently.

If his coach's words held true, however, his expression of emotions would soon fill the TV one day instead of his bedroom.

Here comes Sidney Crosby dangling past one defenseman, desperately trying to send this game into overtime.  He cuts in on goal, and –boom!--Casey Fleury hit him and knocked him off the puck! the announcer would describe Casey's heroic play to the national audience.  The fans counts it down, the final horn sounds... It's over!  History has been made!  The Canucks have won the Stanley Cup!

The deafening crowd screamed so loud that Casey couldn't hear the final horn as his teammates jumped off the bench and rushed towards him and the goalie and piled on top of one another in celebration.

Casey swung the dressing room door wide open.  Yeah! he shouted as he raised both arms to celebrate the victory and just stopped short from bolting his bewildered teammates over.   They all froze, some half-undressed, others had their jerseys halfway down, as they stared at him with wide eyes and dropped jaws.

Casey stopped, looked around, and took a deep breath.  Oh, he uttered.  Oops.

Did you have drugs for dinner or something? one teammate asked, and everyone laughed.

Casey opened his mouth to speak, but another teammate beat him to it.  Too much fun with your girlfriend last night?  

Chorus of oohs and ahs filled the room.  Casey shook his head and carefully dropped his bag in front of his locker.  His teammates were still chattering away.

I was just living my NHL dream in my head, he finally replied as he quickly organized his gears and got changed.  Got a problem with that?

His teammates glanced at one another and shrugged their shoulders.  Some resumed to don their gears while others taped their sticks.  Before anyone made further comments, their coach entered the room from his office and clapped his hands three times to get everyone's attention.

Sounds like you all are excited for the game tonight, his raspy and loud voice filled the room along with a grin.  Casey and his teammates all silently fixed their eyes on him.  That's good, because we need to channel our excitement into a win against the Sockeyes and silence their fans.  He paused to glance at everyone before resuming his speech.  Most importantly, we need to silence their points-leader, Adam Point!

No points allowed! one shouted, and everyone started chanting that slogan.

We don't come here to Richmond to be humiliated.  What did we come here for, captain Fleury?

Win! Casey stood up and shouted.

What about the rest of you? the coach asked.

Win! they all shouted in unison.

Good! the coach matched the players' tone.  Because the Sockeyes will take it to us, like what they did last year, and we all remember what happened.

Some players booed loudly.  Others muttered, Richmond sucks! and everyone chimed in after that.

We will show them what we—the Steelers—and made of! the coach shouted.  Who are we again?

Steelers!

The coach repeated the question a couple more times, and Casey and the players responded louder each time.

Okay, let's get out there and show them!  The coach swung the door open, and Casey led his team down the hallway to the visitors' bench with the Sockeyes' fans booing.  They watched as the same fans cheered loudly when the home team filed to the home bench.  Casey glanced at the stands behind him.  Sitting directly above him from right to left were his three friends: Liz, Brittany, and Danny.

I love you! Liz—his girlfriend of two years—shouted as she formed a heart with her fingers.  Casey returned with one of his own to her.

Go cream them! Danny screamed with a fist pump.  He looped his right arm around Brittany's shoulders.  Casey saluted with a fist pump back to him.

Behave yourself! Brittany offered with a shake of the head and pointed at the penalty box.  Casey waved back.

Sitting on Liz's right was Casey's sister Jessica, with straight dark hair and purple jacket over the Steelers' t-shirt.  She hung the same hand-made sign that she brought with her every game, home or away.  On the sign from left to right, which made from a poster-sized paper, was a photo of the back of Casey's jersey, along with the team logo and the phrase Go Casey Fleury and the Steelers in colourful block letters.

Next to her were his parents.  Mom in blouse and pants with red coat and purse.  Dad in suit and tie, probably no time to get changed as usual after rushing home to have dinner beforehand.  They waved at Casey as he glanced up.  Mom smiled briefly while Dad nodded without a smile, which Casey knew that it was the most positive expression he'd get from him.

You'll actually be smiling when you watch me play in the NHL in a couple years, Casey thought.  It seemed realistic, didn't it?  If the scouts liked Casey, they would convince a team to offer him a professional tryout, where he would have no problem impressing the coaching staff.  He would then be playing regular shifts on the team, and then he would make the NHL when the parent team called him up.

Casey would receive an NHL contract with a seven-figure salary.  He would be appreciated by his teammates, adored by fans, and best of all, make his family—especially his dad—proud.

You'll make the NHL if you continue to work hard, his dad had told him many times, ever since he could remember.  Dreamers dream, but hard work will turn dreams into reality.

Casey believed his dad's advice.  After all, which father would want their kids to fail?  Even though no high-level junior teams wanted Casey after he helped his midget hockey team win the national championship, his dad still gave the same advice.  If Casey had to play for a lower-level junior team, so be it, as it was still a route to make the NHL.

However, as each year passed by without getting a professional contract while watching kids younger than him getting drafted by NHL teams, Casey's NHL hopes slowly faded.  Worse, this was his last year of junior hockey.  If he had no contract offers after this season...

It was tough to watch the NHL draft, especially with his dad, who was also a big hockey fan like Casey.  They get drafted not just based on talent, his dad would say as they listened to the analysts' explanations to why each prospects got drafted.  Aside from the prolific stats, they also talked about the players' competitiveness, work ethics, having hockey smarts, etc.  You need to be disciplined, willing to learn and adapt to new tactics and roles, and work hard.  Hockey is a job.  No one likes lazy or undisciplined players no matter how highly skilled they are.

Casey agreed on that point.  He remembered the type of players his dad had mentioned that would eventually be traded or released, even though they could put up great stats.  More teams favored players who played with heart and worked hard but produced less points nowadays.  If they weren't trustworthy to the coaches, they'd be out.

For young or fringe players, they would be assigned to the team's minor-league affiliate for conditioning until they were ready to prove themselves to the big club again.  But the key factor still remained: that they had played in the NHL, an experience that Casey still hadn't obtained.

He knew he was better than his peers or past teammates he had played with or against.  As far as he knew, it were the junior teams' loss for not drafting him.  He would have made them better or even helped them to win a championship, but by not drafting him, it probably meant that he wasn't worthy enough for them.

It meant that he was only worthy enough to play in the junior B league, and what would his worth be if no professional teams showed interests in him by this time next year?  He would only have his current job as a sports journalist and researcher, looking up stats online all day or running around interviewing collegiate players and coaches and prepare materials for the weekly collegiate sports talk show, with no room to grow or advance, unless he took over as the host, which he disliked.

You need to make your dream come true, Casey, his dad had told him with an emotionless look on his face that Casey often saw.  No one want to be stuck in a deadbeat job with a broken dream.

That was as much encouragement as Casey would get from his dad nowadays.  Usually, it would include in detail about how much his parents had invested in his hockey journey both financially and emotionally.  It would be a waste if Casey failed to make the NHL and be stuck with this job.  He would be like any other typical adults who worked their tails off to sustain a living and had little worth in themselves or in the society.

His current job was supposed to be temporary while he played his way to the NHL.  The sports journalism diploma he'd earned was supposed to be for his post-hockey life, when he would join the hockey panel analyzing the game of hockey, like many ex-NHLers had done.  Casey would rather die than to have this job as his only source of income, or as the only profession in his life.

Casey grimaced.  No, I'll get an NHL contract!  He said in his heart.  My dream will come true!

Chapter Two

Casey smiled to himself as he shifted his thoughts to his friends.  Tonight he enjoyed Greek food with Liz, Danny, and Brittany at a restaurant five-minute drive from her place, so Casey could make it in time for his hockey game within half an hour.  Casey and Liz would try different restaurants every week for over a year until they had finally settled on a handful, where they would rotate on the diners since then.  

Although the four friends shared one table, Casey could still enjoy Liz's presence and their conversations as if they were by themselves because they faced each other while Danny and Brittany were in their own world laughing and bickering.  They all interacted with one another occasionally, such as toasting before the meal and sharing about their day.  

So you're saying that there will be NHL scouts evaluating you at tonight's game? Liz asked after a brief exchange with Danny and Brittany.  Her dark-green eyes shone as her face glow in the candlelight between them.  Her curly, golden-brown hair that extended past her shoulders looked rather golden.  That's awesome, Casey!  I'm so excited for you, and you parents will be proud of you, too!

Casey smiled.  It'll be far more exciting than my current job, he replied.  Better than looking for stats online all day or running around interviewing collegiate players and coaches.  Can't wait to quit this job when I make the pros, so my parents will finally be proud of me!

Liz nodded.  I'm kind of tired of my studies, too, she said.  She quickly glanced at Brittany, who was busy joking with Danny, and then returned to Casey.  I wish there are pro scouts checking me out!

Casey frowned.  How can there be no scouts when you have a scholarship? he argued.  You just won the collegiate provincial title!  They are stupid not to scout you!

Liz let out a sigh and shook her head.  If I'm smart like Cassie, then I'd be studying and playing for a decent university rather than a college that no one cares about!

Casey reached across the table to touch Liz's arm.  You're a fantastic player even since junior high, he spoke softly.  I'm sure the scouts will notice you soon.

Liz gently covered Casey's hand with her palm.  I know you're here to support me, but that's the keyword: 'soon.'  As long as I stay in college and don't transfer to a reputable university, all my hopes and dreams will just be 'soon' and not 'now.'  You get what I'm saying?

Casey glanced away for a moment before returning to Liz.  A reputable university, huh? he muttered and looked intently into Liz's eyes.  Meaning where?  There are a couple here.

Liz was silent as she slowly put a forkful of Greek salad in her mouth.  Casey scooped some rice, let it drop from the spoon, and glanced at Liz again.

Liz shook her head.  I'm not sure, she murmured.  She dabbed her lips with her serviette.  All I know is that you will most likely be elsewhere by this time next year when you're offered a pro contract.

Casey took a deep breath.  He gave her assumption a thought.  It would be nice if I can eventually play for the Canucks, he said, but as soon as he said it, his vision was filled with the logos of all NHL teams.  He opened his mouth to speak again, but Liz spoke first.

But you wouldn't turn down a pro contract even if it means for your to play down south for the farm team of, say, Florida.  You wouldn't forfeit that chance just because you want to play for Vancouver.  You can always request a trade afterwards, but until then...

Liz stopped.  Casey's jaw dropped as he glanced at her.  His throat went dry.  He quickly took a sip of the water.

He glanced at his cellphone, not for the time, but for answers.

We may be apart, is that what you're saying?

Liz sniffed once.  She didn't reply.

Are you implying that we may be apart regardless if you end up at a university in a different province, and I get a contract for some other farm team—?

Stop! Liz put up her hand and interjected abruptly.  Both Danny and Brittany paused and glanced over.  Let's just enjoy dinner and talk another time.  Your game starts soon.

Casey opened his mouth to argue, but Liz's hand remained up and she shook her head.  Casey let it go and focused on the meal.

The rest of the dinner was peaceful, thanks to Danny who initiated casual talks and humor.  Casey eventually let out a smile as the tension eased.

After dinner, the two couples went to the arena separately.  Casey drove Liz while Danny and Brittany already co-owned a car.  They agreed to meet at the arena before Casey joined his team.

Casey unlocked the car doors with the remote car key as he and Liz reached the curb.  Routinely, he opened the passenger door for her as she climbed inside.  Instead of quickly rounding the front of the car and climbing in the driver’s side immediately, Casey laid his hand on the passenger’s door and glanced intently at Liz.

That was some crazy dinner, wasn't it?  He zeroed in on her radiant green eyes, as if he hadn't done enough of that throughout dinner.  Their conversation was mostly light aside from that tensed moment, as they talked about their day as usual.  Liz shared about her first-year business courses; Casey updated her on the sports articles for a local newspaper and website.

I don't know how my sister can stand Danny sometimes, Liz said as she tossed her hair back from her cheeks.  It shone under the street lights and reflected brilliantly in the moonlight.  She raised her slim long arm and gently covered Casey’s rougher right palm with hers.  At least you are are more socially behaved.  I can't imagine you do half the things that Danny usually does in public.  He only does them to annoy my sister.

Casey held his gaze on her and nodded slightly.   He glanced away briefly to search for the right words.

It doesn't help when Brittany gets annoyed so easily though, he finally said, casting a smile at Liz, but she frowned in return.

It doesn't help when Danny can't stop acting like a kid and deliberately irritate her in public all the time, she threw her hands up and countered as they reached Casey's blue Honda Civic.  It's immature, you know?

Casey glared down at Liz, who was three inches shorter than his nearly-six-feet frame.  He took a couple of deep breaths and clenched his free fist.

Your sister is the one who's embarrassing, just like how she yelled at Danny at the restaurant and everyone heard her, he snapped through gritted teeth.  Danny is a fun-loving guy and doesn't deserved to be scolded at like a child.

Liz shook her head and reached for the passenger door handle.  She opened it and slid inside quickly and shut the door just as Casey reached for the handle.

Casey sighed heavily as he walked around the front to the driver's side.  He looked at her but she turned away.  Casey swung the door open and jumped into the car before slamming the door shut.

He let his head hit the headrest as he turned to her with the car keys still in his hand.  She let out a breath and slowly turned to him with frowned face and narrowed eyes.

I'm sorry, Liz, Casey said quietly as he reached his hand to her clasped fingers.  She didn't refuse him but neither did she moved her hands.  I never meant to hurt you.

Well, you did, Liz sighed heavily and replied quietly.  You say this all the time, and you know you hurt me every time you get angry.  Your anger towards me is like Danny's stupid acts towards my sister.

Casey opened his mouth but then closed it just as quick.  He turned on the ignition and started driving.  His phone rang as he stopped at a red light.  He glanced at the name display.  It was Danny.  The light turned green before he got to the phone, so he continued driving.

A minute later, Liz's phone buzzed.

It's my sister, she informed Casey.  She's wondering what time we will get there.

You mean why we're taking so long? Casey said flatly.  Maybe she should learn to chill and have some patience sometimes.

She also wants to tell you to get me there in one piece.

Casey grimaced at her comment.  Of course you will be there in one piece, he muttered.  He glanced at the side mirror and saw no cars coming on the outer lane, so he quickly changed lane and stepped on the gas petal.

Liz gasped at that notion.  Casey! she exclaimed.

I better get you there to shut her up, he replied coldly.

Calm down, Casey, Liz urged.  You're scaring me!

Casey eased his pressure on the gas pedal just a little.  He saw a gap on the right lane and quickly switched to it, passed a truck, and switched back to the outer lane.  

They passed by a large church building with an illuminated white cross above the main entrance.  Casey glared at it and then turned the other way.  

Are you ready for Adam Point? Liz asked on the next red light.

Casey turned to her, jaw dropped.  He didn't move even the light had turned green.

The driver behind him honked a couple times, and Casey finally saw the light and kept driving.  

You saw me crush him last time, he replied without facing Liz.  He had to be taken away on a stretcher because he couldn't withstand my hit.

Yes, your team's game-day feature mentioned that the star forward for the Richmond Sockeyes who is capable of splitting the D and score like a machine.

Casey frowned.  So? he snapped.

Looks like your hit didn't sideline him for long, because he's returning tonight healthier than ever looking to pop a few on you guys.

Casey shrugged.  I'm sure he had plenty of time to recover since the final six months ago.

Liz gasped.  It was so hard a hit that you gave him a concussion! she exclaimed.  People usually never fully recovered from concussions, and they are at risk to get another one.  If only you weren't so mad after he turned you inside out that resulted in a major penalty, and it cost you the game!

Casey cleared his throat but didn't confirm or reply.  He made a swift left turn almost a bit too quickly as a car honked at him.  He stepped on the gas a bit more as the car goes onto the bridge that connected to Richmond and the Sockeyes' arena.  He honked at the vehicles in front of him, and they yielded so that Casey could stay on the outer lane.  He glanced at the digital clock and shook his head.  I'm running late, he declared.  But won't be too late to crush Adam again!

You know he mentioned you on his online blog? she continued after a brief silence.  Did you read the game-day report today?

Casey snorted.  What did he say about me?

Liz was quiet for a while.  The road ahead was clear and straight.  The street lights were few and far between as both sides of the road were farmlands.  The sky filled with clouds, as if it wasn't dark enough already.

Didn't you and him used to go to the same church?

Casey flinched as his hands struggled to grip the steeling wheel.  The car jerked one way then another.  Cars around him honked at him.

At the red light, Casey hunched over the wheel to catch his breath.

Why—why do you ask? Casey began slowly.  His voice sounded like the result of a painful skating drill by his coach during practice after an unreasonable loss against a weaker opponent.  He glanced at the curb to the right and thought about pulling over, but his phone buzzed and a glance at the display caused him to decide otherwise.  His coach would really make him skate laps at the next practice if he didn't show up anytime soon.

He still goes to church? he continued when Liz didn't reply.  He sat straight and glanced intently at the road ahead, but instead of the traffic, Adam's face filled his vision, not as a hockey player, but as a younger teenager.  Not at a hockey rink, but at another place that Casey was all-too-familiar with.

Casey shook his head violently to shake off that scene.

I don't need church to make it to the NHL! he snapped, and was met by Liz's gasp.  He stopped and turned at her.  She covered her mouth with her hands and glared wide-eyed back at him.

Something just crossed my mind, sorry, Casey explained.  I'll tell you about Adam later.  I need to be mentally prepared for the game, okay?

They commuted the rest of the way to the arena in silence.  Casey managed to let his NHL dream fill his thoughts and the road ahead fill his vision.  Liz didn't say a word, and Casey didn't turn to her.  He could always explain or reassure her later when he wasn't running late to the opponents' arena.

To Adam Point's home arena.

To the arena that he delivered that heavy hit, which send him to the hospital with a concussion and minor injuries.

To the arena that... No! This won't happen again! He vowed within him.

The loss by Casey's hockey team was difficult to take at the time, but not right now, not when Liz was with him.

They arrived at the arena.  Casey parked his car next to Danny and Brittany's.  He leaned back in his seat and glance at Liz.  She turned his way as she unbuckled herself.

I don't know or care about anything else other than that I have a shot to play in the NHL, I have  supportive friends, and most of all-- he puts an arm around Liz and pulled her close.  --I have a beautiful girlfriend who is always by my side.  He kissed her gently on the lips, and she kissed him back.  Before they knew it, the kisses were deep and passionate.  

Now as Casey stepped onto the ice for a warm-up stake, all he could think of was that he would soon be on NHL ice with Liz—hopefully with a wedding ring on her finger by then—watching proudly in the stands.

Chapter Three

Adam Point strode casually down the corridor leading to the home team's dressing room.  He lifted his right arm and palm upwards.  He shifted his eyes up as well.

Lord, thank You for Your presence and blessings today, he prayed quietly as he passed a light bulb.  The illumination from the light glowed on him like a saint, and he smiled as he felt the warmth from the light.  Thank You for blessing my classes and giving me wisdom to complete my assignments.  Thank You for easing my anxiety about school so I can enjoy the game tonight.

One light bulb after another, Adam felt the warmth from them and he smiled broader.  Not just because of the heat from the light, but he knew what that represented.

It feels so warm to be in Your love and care, he continued his prayer.  Thank You for being with me for all these years—two decades of life and seven years with You.  I cannot thank You enough for your salvation on the cross and throughout my life!

Adam glanced around him.  There were nothing but walls and doors.  He was early for the game as usual, so he he could do what he was doing; so that he could have personal time with God.

He looked at his hockey bag.  On the top zipper was a glow-in-the-dark yellow cross key chain.  Other than that, it was just a typical gym bag.  He walked the few strides to the dressing room door.  He put his hand on the knob and stopped.

Lord, he said with exasperation as he stretched the word.  He leaned against the wall and looked up.  He sighed heavily as he fixed his gaze on the ceiling, but he knew he was focusing on the One who cared about him the most.  When will You bring Casey Fleury back to Your purpose and plan?

He stood still for a minute.  The next earliest teammate wouldn't arrive for another ten or so minutes.  No one would try or even dare to interrupt his conversation with God.  This was the time to be quiet before Him and listen to His response.

Typically, he would talk to God in a more relaxed mood, telling Him about his day, the classes, assignments, and the upcoming game like a friend, even though Adam knew that God knew everything, but it never stopped him from talking.

Today, however, Adam couldn't stay focused or feel at ease.  During the two classes from the Sport and Recreation Management program, he could barely stay focused when reading the textbook or on the group discussions.  He had to read the same two-page section three times to understand the material, and his group mates called upon his name a couple of times before he mumbled his response or input.  The rest of his group chatted among themselves as they waited for Adam to finish reading the section, with one excused himself to the washroom.

The two classes were more like a group project meeting, as different groups spent time to work on their projects outside of lectures that were on other weekdays.  Fridays were catch-up day for everyone, especially for those who also had jobs or, in Adam's case, hockey.

Adam only took two courses this semester after taking the summer off.  He took three courses each in the two semesters last year and was doing fine.  He was to complete the twelve-course curriculum—including a practicum—in sixteen months.  He took the summer off so he could volunteer at the summer day camp organized at this church to help the youths and kids to stay academically in shape between school years, plus to hopefully introduce the love of God to non-Christian kids and families.

Adam had been a Christian since early high school.  He was short and shy back then, and most students were tall, rowdy, and even smoked or tried drugs.  Back in elementary school, he had many friends to be with, whether to play outdoors, have video game parties at someone's house, or hang out in the mall.  There was never a dull moment.  Boys or girls, it didn't matter.  Every occasion was an open invitation.  Even when a couple of the friends dated, it wasn't a big deal since fun was their