“Everyone knows what I’m about”: Frederic is almost prepared to help the Oilers

Frederic had always known that his moment would come. It wasn’t just a vague hope or wish that one day, he’d be called upon to make a difference. No, this was something more deeply embedded in the fabric of who he was. He had spent years honing his skills, refining his approach, and growing his resilience. Every step he took had been deliberate, each decision carefully measured. And now, as the Edmonton Oilers teetered on the edge of a crucial season, it seemed that his time to step up had finally arrived.

In the quiet of the locker room, Frederic stood in front of the mirror. His eyes traced the lines of his face, still sharp despite the months of relentless training and the weight of expectation pressing against him. He wasn’t a stranger to pressure. In fact, it had been the fuel that drove him. But there was something different about this moment. The eyes of an entire city were on him now, and that was a weight he couldn’t ignore.

“Everyone knows what I’m about,” he muttered under his breath, the words almost like a mantra. He had repeated them to himself countless times before, in moments of doubt or self-reflection. But now, they felt like a statement of truth. He was ready. He had to be.

The Road to Edmonton

Frederic’s path to the Oilers had not been straightforward. Unlike some of the league’s youngest stars who were drafted straight from junior leagues, Frederic had taken a circuitous route. He had spent years bouncing between teams, each time proving himself, each time earning his spot. The game had always been a challenge, but Frederic thrived in the uncertainty. It was that grit, that willingness to work harder than anyone else, that had gotten him this far.

Growing up, Frederic had always been a passionate player. Hockey was more than just a sport for him; it was a way of life. His father, a former minor league player, had taught him the fundamentals of the game at a young age. But it wasn’t just about learning how to skate or how to pass the puck; his father instilled in him the importance of mental toughness. “The game is 90% mental, son. The rest is just execution,” he would say. Frederic had taken that lesson to heart, and it had shaped the way he approached every challenge.

Over the years, Frederic’s reputation grew. Coaches took notice of his relentless work ethic, his adaptability on the ice, and his ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes were highest. He had been drafted in the second round by the Ottawa Senators, but his time there had been short-lived. He wasn’t satisfied with simply making it to the NHL; he wanted to leave a legacy, to be remembered not just for his physical abilities, but for his impact on the game.

After stints in the AHL, a few trades, and a few seasons bouncing between the big leagues and the minor leagues, Frederic’s chance finally came when the Oilers came calling. They needed someone who could elevate their play, someone who understood what it meant to fight for every shift, every inch of ice. Frederic wasn’t just the player they wanted; he was the player they needed.

A Team in Need

The Oilers were in a difficult spot. Despite having some of the most dynamic players in the league—players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—the team had struggled to reach their full potential. The expectations placed on them were sky-high, but the results had not lived up to the hype. There was a gap, something intangible but significant, that had kept them from reaching the next level. Perhaps it was a lack of depth, or maybe it was a failure to consistently perform in high-pressure moments. Whatever the cause, the team had been stuck in a cycle of disappointment, and fans were starting to lose faith.

Frederic wasn’t blind to the challenges the Oilers faced. He knew that joining a team with such high expectations came with its own pressure. But he had never been one to shy away from challenges. If anything, he thrived in the chaos. He wasn’t coming to Edmonton to be a star or to fit into a pre-established role. He was coming to help them break through the ceiling that had kept them from greatness.

As he looked at the roster, Frederic knew that his skill set was exactly what the team needed. He was versatile, a two-way player capable of making an impact on both ends of the ice. He could kill penalties, play the power play, and provide the kind of grit and leadership that was often missing in big moments. He wasn’t the flashiest player on the ice, but he was the type of player who could be relied upon when things got tough.

The Preparation

The weeks leading up to the start of the season were a blur for Frederic. He spent hours at the rink, working on his game with a focus that bordered on obsession. His conditioning was at its peak, his skating had never been faster, and his puck-handling was as smooth as ever. But he knew that physical preparation was only part of the equation. The mental game, the ability to stay focused under pressure, was where he truly had to excel.

It wasn’t just about being ready for the first game of the season. Frederic knew that the true test would come in the playoffs, when the stakes were higher and the margin for error smaller. It was during those intense moments that the Oilers would need him most. And he had to be ready—not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them.

Every morning, he woke up early, long before the sun rose. He ran through drills, worked with the coaches on strategies, and reviewed film of past games to identify areas for improvement. In the evenings, he would study the habits of his teammates, learning their tendencies and figuring out how best to complement their strengths. He was determined to integrate seamlessly into the team, not as an outsider, but as a key piece of the puzzle.

But it wasn’t all about the technical side of things. Frederic also took the time to connect with his teammates off the ice. He knew that team chemistry was just as important as skill on the ice, and he wanted to earn the trust and respect of his new colleagues. Whether it was grabbing dinner with McDavid and Draisaitl or taking part in team-building exercises, Frederic was committed to fostering an environment where everyone felt united in the pursuit of a common goal.

The First Game

When the season opener finally arrived, Frederic could feel the weight of anticipation in the air. The arena was packed, the fans buzzing with excitement as they waited to see if this would be the year the Oilers finally broke through. Frederic stood in the tunnel, looking out at the ice, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been here before, but there was something different about this moment.

As the team lined up on the ice, Frederic took a deep breath, centering himself. He wasn’t nervous. He was prepared. This was what he had been working for all these years. He had earned this opportunity, and now it was time to make the most of it.

The puck dropped, and the game was underway. Frederic’s every move was calculated, every decision made with purpose. He didn’t need to be the star of the show—he just needed to be the player the Oilers could count on when it mattered most. Whether it was blocking a shot, setting up a key play, or providing a physical presence in the corners, he was everywhere the team needed him to be.

As the game wore on, Frederic’s influence on the ice became more and more apparent. He was a stabilizing force, a player who never got rattled, no matter the circumstances. His teammates fed off his energy, and slowly but surely, the Oilers began to click. When the final whistle blew and the Oilers emerged victorious, it wasn’t just about the win—it was about the sense that something had shifted. The team had a new sense of confidence, and Frederic had played a big role in that.

The Road Ahead

As the season progressed, Frederic continued to prove his worth. The Oilers began to play with a new sense of purpose, and as they entered the playoffs, they knew that they had a legitimate chance at going all the way. Frederic’s contributions were invaluable, his leadership undeniable.

In the locker room after another hard-fought victory, Frederic looked around at his teammates. He didn’t need to say much; the look in their eyes told him everything he needed to know. They were ready. They were hungry. And he was going to do everything in his power to help them reach their goal.

“Everyone knows what I’m about,” Frederic said again, this time with a sense of quiet pride. It wasn’t just a mantra anymore. It was the truth.

The road ahead was uncertain, but Frederic knew one thing for sure: he was ready to lead the Oilers to the promised land.