Chapter~5
“This is Mel, here with Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby.” Said the famous hockey interviewer, Melissa. She was one of the most well-known interviewers in NHL history. Everyone who knows anything about hockey knows who she is. Her whole family has been involved with hockey, whether it be interviewing, announcing, or even refereeing. Mel was the most well-known though. She was a pretty woman who was actually pretty young. I wasn’t sure how old though. She had shoulder length, curly brown hair and brown eyes. She was a really friendly girl who loved to talk and ask questions. She really was perfect for her job. “So Sid, I hear that there is a new player on your team and he is younger than Jordan Staal who is currently the youngest player on the Pens. Who is this mystery guy and is he any good?” Mel continued. I turned my attention over to her and Sidney. I wanted to hear what he would say about me.
“Yes that is true. His name is Joe Jonas and he really is a great player for never really playing on a team before. He is eighteen years old and is younger than Jordan, but has the potential to be just as good.” Sidney said into the camera that was directed towards him.
“Well thank you Sidney.” Mel said looking into the camera. “And when we come back we’ll see if we can get an interview with newcomer Joe Jonas.” She smiled and then the camera shut off. Mel said something to Sidney and then he came over towards me.
“Hey Joe, Mel wants an interview with you. You up for it?” He asked me.
“Is the sky blue?” I asked him with a smile forming on my face.
“Yeah?” He said with a confused face. He knew me well enough by now that he could tell I was coming up with something.
“Then there’s your answer, I’m ready.” I said smiling. I was starting to think of a new phrase for this week and this was one of my possible choices. Sid patted me on the back and chuckled.
“Alright man. Have fun.” He smiled and walked over to his stuff. We were in the locker room. I walked towards Mel.
“Hey, I’m Joe.” I said putting my hand out for her to shake.
“Hey Joe. I’m Mel.” She said shaking my hand. “You mind if I have an interview with you?” She asked.
“I’d love to.” I said and sat down next to her. The camera man said something to her and then the camera turned on.
“Hey there I’m Mel and I’m here talking to newcomer Joe Jonas, now a part of the Pittsburgh Penguins.” She said into her microphone as she looked into the camera. I smiled at the camera and said ‘hey’. “So Joe, how does it feel to be a hockey player in the NHL?” Mel asked me putting the mic a little closer to my mouth so she could catch my answer.
“It’s great. It’s a lot of fun so far. The team is really nice, a lot of great guys, on and off the ice. It’s always been a dream of mine to be a hockey player and its really cool that I actually get to do it.” I said smiling for the camera. I was used to being in front of cameras, but not talking about stuff like this.
“That’s great Joe. So what is it like to be the youngest player on the team? Is it any harder for you than the other guys?” She asked me. I thought for a second.
“Well I think it’s pretty cool. I don’t really have anything to compare it to but it isn’t really different for me than the other guys. A lot of them are young too. Jordan Staal is only about a year older than me, and a lot of guys are only like two years older. So it’s all pretty close.” I said. Mel nodded and prepared to ask me another question.
“So Joe, where’s your home town? I know a lot of guys on the team are from Canada and some other countries like Finland and Russia. Are you from anywhere like that?” She asked.
“I’m actually from a little town called Wyckoff in New Jersey. I was born in Arizona though. I’ve lived in a lot of places like New Jersey, Texas, and Los Angeles to name a few.” I told her. I was actually starting to get nervous, something I normally don’t do during interviews.
“Oh I see. So what do you think of all the accents and foreign languages some of the guys speak? I know I like some of them a lot.” She said smiling. I chuckled a little and then answered.
“You know, I like them too. I think it’s really cool to hear all the different accents and ways people speak in different places. I wish I had one sometimes.” I smiled. Mel laughed a little.
“Yeah they are pretty cool. Now Joe, is there any one player that you have a lot in common with or are good friends with yet?” She put the mic close to my mouth again.
“Well actually me and Kris Letang have become pretty good friends. He showed me around and helped me out from the first day I’ve been here. We have some similar interests and stuff. And not only that, but a lot of the guys say that we kind of look alike.” I told her. It was true. We both had dark hair, about the same length and there were certain features that we both had.
“You know, I think I see a resemblance.” Mel said smiling. “Well thank you so much, Joe, and hopefully I’ll be seeing you again soon. Maybe interviewing you after a big win.”
“Hopefully.” I said smiling. “And thank you.”
“No problem,” She said looking at me and then turned her attention towards the camera, “This is Mel, and Joe, signing off on the hockey news tonight. Back to you Calvin.” She said and the camera turned off. Mel stood up first, and then I did.
“Um, it was really nice meeting you.” I said to her, trying to think of something to say.
“Oh it was my pleasure. I’ll be seeing you again soon for another interview.” She said winking and then leaving the room.
I went over to my area in the locker room and got all my stuff put together so I could leave. I needed to get home and take a nap or something. As I picked up my bag and got my stuff ready, Kris came over to my side.
“Hey man.” I said to him.
“Hey I got good news.” He said with happiness in his voice.
“Well don’t just stand there, tell me it.” I said wanting to know what the news was.
“Well Coach says that Sid talked him into letting you play in the game tomorrow.” He said smiling at me.
“Are you serious? Tomorrow? I only practiced with you guys once!” I said shocked. Of course I wanted to be in the game, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready.
“Yeah I’m serious. And the game will be like a big important practice for you. It’s gonna be great, don’t you worry.” Kris said assuring me that I’d be fine.
“Okay, if you say so.” I told him. I was going to play hockey with my team tomorrow at seven thirty. This was unbelievable.
|
