Player Prompt:

After an amazing off-season of celebrations and recovery, the season is finally upon us. We hit the ice tonight in our first game as defending champions. That moment when you line up on the blue line is going to be freeing. All that excitement and celebrating goes away and you're back to square one. What you did last season doesn't matter anymore, but you do have a new target on your back. As defending champs, you know that every team is going to come out hard against you.

There is a sense of pressure to defend your crown, but also a feeling of relief because you've proven you can get the job done. You went through the gauntlet and came out the other side as champions. When the other team looks at you standing on the blue line, they're going to see a champion. They know they need to play their best against us. You're ready to skate with your teammates and show everyone why you'll forever be known as champions.

(171 words)