Dorji get's news from the WC

[Oddpurplefly 244]

Dorji Khan was still on his high from signing a new contract extension with Toronto. The smile that he had since that day could not have been wiped from his face. That combined with being in Mongolia surrounded by his family and friends, Dorji felt amazing. It had been too long since he had been home and now he felt a familiar sense of gratitude. He had spent his time away, chasing his dreams across rinks in distant lands, but now for a brief moment, he was back where it all began.

His days in Mongolia were filled with family gatherings, long meals full of laughter and stories, reconnecting with his roots. But when he wasn't at the dinner table, he was at the Dorji Center, the arena funded by him and named in his honor. There, he coached eager young Mongolian players, their eyes bright with the same ambition he had once carried as a kid. He watched them skate, encouraged them through drills and reminded them that hard work would always outweigh natural talent. It truly filled his heart with joy, seeing the fruits of his labor pay off as he could tell some of the youngsters were undeniably very skilled and thanks to his youth program, they had the chance to be guided by a group of great coaches that Dorji handpicked and refine those skills.

 

Then one evening as he sat on the bench overlooking the ice, his phone rang.

"Hello?" he answered, expecting a call from his father or a former teammate.

Instead, the voice on the other end belonged to the GM of Team World in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

"You made the team, Dorji."

For a moment, he was silent and shocked by the news. Then came the rush, a flood of emotions, disbelief, excitement and pride.

After thanking the GM, he looked out over the rink where the young players were still practicing, unaware that their mentor had just been given an opportunity to represent Team World. But Dorji didn’t dwell too long. He knew what came next… preparation.

 

The following days were filled with relentless training. He woke before the sunrise to work on his endurance, his strides becoming stronger and faster. His diet changed from familiar traditional dishes and desserts to a strict healthy diet to fuel his body for what was ahead. Each evening he pushed himself harder than the last, refining his skills and sharpening his instincts. He knew that making the team was one thing, but proving he belonged was another challenge entirely.

His journey wasn’t just for himself. It was for his family, for Mongolia, for the kids at the Dorji Center who looked up to him. He wanted them to see that someone from their homeland could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.

 

Finally the day came where he had to leave. His bags were packed, his skates sharpened, his heart ready. Dorji Khan stepped onto the plane bound for Nuuk in Greenland where the World Cup of Hockey was hosted. As the plane lifted off he stared out of the window at his homeland disappearing beneath the clouds. He had spent his time well, reconnecting with his past, strengthening his body and mind. Now, he was heading toward another challenge.

 

547 words

PT May 12-18