Gemotions

The hockey coach, with a broad grin, had told him, "We want you at center, David." David, a winger, relished the speed and open space of his position. The center position was all about puck control, face-offs, and defensive responsibility. His shoulders slumped.

He stared at the ice, the reflection of the arena lights reflecting off the surface, creating an illusion of a bottomless pit. He didn't want the change. The very thought brought a wave of dizziness. He felt a rising panic.

During the first game, he felt like a deer caught in the headlights. The face-offs were a blur. He was bumped and jostled in the scrum. He didn't feel in command. His grip tightened on his stick, his knuckles white. He felt a pervasive sense of inadequacy.