Page 101 of Rookie Rules

In the room, he removed his helmet and gave Eli a careful look.

"Shoulder?"

"Attached," Eli said.

Nolan glanced up at the borrowed phrase but did not smile.

Mateo sat. "Guy was late."

"He was," Eli said.

"Thank you."

"Your penalty was also late."

A few players made quiet sounds that might have become laughter in a win.

Mateo smiled anyway. "Rookie grows teeth."

The charm was automatic. Rowan knew because Mateo used it whenever guilt threatened to make the room look at him directly.

Vale entered after media staff closed the doors.

"We will not confuse protection with retaliation," he said.

No one moved.

"Eli took a hit. We respond by making the next legal play, winning the shift, and making sure he is available. We do not give away a lead so our anger feels useful."

Mateo leaned forward, forearms on his knees. "Understood."

No joke now.

Vale looked at Rowan. Captain's turn.

Rowan stood.

"The kill had two chances to clear after the first exit," he said. "We correct that. The late goal came from lost coverage after a draw. We correct that too. But neither correction erases why we were killing."

Mateo accepted the words without lifting his head.

"Tomorrow," Rowan continued, "you review every retaliatory minor from our first ten games with Eli. You identify the play available instead."

Eli blinked. "Why me?"

"Because the hit was on you."

"I did not request revenge."

"Exactly."

Eli rotated the shoulder once and reached for his shirt. The movement stopped halfway.

Mateo was beside him before Owen could cross the room. He did not touch the joint. He picked up Eli's dress shirt from the hook and held it open so the rookie could slide the sore arm through without lifting high.

"I can dress myself," Eli said.

"Clearly. This is why you've been standing inside one sleeve for ten seconds."