Y’all… I am a huge reader and I have read every single hockey series (like…. So many) so you don’t have to ✨ here are my recs and rankings of the series:
1. Maya Hughes/Kings of Rittenhouse Series: YALL. If you have not read Kings you need to exit this app right now and download it. I am not kidding when I say that I’ve reread this series like 7 times. The general plot line is that this group of guys went to high school together and now two of them are in college, three went straight to the NHL. By the end of the series they’re all graduated and in the NHL and it is simply just such a well developed series of books. Each boy is so different and I really appreciate that. One of the things I struggled with in Off Campus is that every boy is the same person in a different font. Ugh I simply just adore this series <3
1. FAVE BOY: Ford makes me feel some typa way… but I also love Colm and Emmett. BUT I LOVE ALL OF THEM ASDFJKJS.
2. Odette Stone/Vancouver Wolves Series: YALL this one is NEXT LEVEL. Puck Me Secretly is the first book and it’s ICONIC. The mc is the GM’s daughter and she essentially has to step into his role and has an enemies to lovers ish with one of the players. I love having a strong feminist mc. The next three books still work in the universe but explore really different tropes. They’re my comfort books when I want drama and romance.
1. FAVE BOY: Max <3 but Ryan is such a close second
3. Kendall Ryan/Hot Jocks Series: these books are SO FUN. They explore a group of guys that play for Seattle and I personally really resonate with them being out of college and dealing with real-world-grown-adult problems. She really covers all the tropes in this series (starts with brothers best friend, then friends to lovers, fake dating, etc.)
1. FAVE BOY: GRANT OMG <3 But I also love Owen
4. Sawyer Bennett/Cold Fury Hockey Series: okay I only read the first 3ish in this series but I really did love it. The first and second book were very good; the second explores an mc that has cancer, which was a really unique plot line. It was heavy but so well done. I cried a lot but the author did a wonderful job.
1. FAVE BOY: Alex was just…sigh. perfect.
5. Elle Kennedy/Off Campus/Briar U: first hockey series that I ever read. Obviously is the blueprint but as I’ve explored other series I don’t regard off campus as the best. A lot of this is because the books deal with simply resolved/trivial plot line conflict. That is perfect when you’re in the mood for something light and goofy.
1. FAVE BOY: ugh this changes on the daily but after my first read through Logan was who I was drawn to. But Jake has a spot in my heart alskdfhlaskdjf.
6. E. Cleveland/Westbury Warriors Series: I read these so long ago and remember generally liking them but not enough that I remember the details of each books very clearly. I liked them, they were entertaining, but not the best series I have read. That being said, these books are written by a man which was interesting because I rarely read romance written by a man simply because I usually don’t love the way they characterize women. But he did a great job!
1. FAVE BOY: Reed for sure! (His nickname is Gucci LOL)
7. Helena Hunting/Pucked Series: I wanted to like these but I simply just could not get into them. Definitely more quirky and humorous as a series but I tend to gravitate towards the ones with a big controversy or drama, so it already wasn’t my thing.
Okay I believe that these are all of the series that I’ve read, although it is hard to keep track because I read so quickly. I’ve read a couple of one-offs and they were solid but series are just so much more developed. I still need to check out the following series: Nashville Assasins by Toni Aleo, Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett, Chinooks Hockey Team by Rachel Gibson, New York Blades by Deidre Martin, Bellevue Bullies by Toni Aleo, and Boston Terriers Hockey by Jacob Chance.
If you have any recs or thoughts about these books PLS DROP THEM BELOW!!! I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS <3
#51, Shane Wright, is all smiles after getting signed to an entry level contract with the Kraken at the end of Day 4 of the Kraken developmental camp (x)
“This kid’s been under the microscope for a lot of years. I had a chat with him the other day and just said all I want for him is to play hockey and have some fun,” [GM Ron] Francis said. “The pressure’s gone of whether he’s the No. 1 or not. The fact that he went to No. 4 is irrelevant. “He’s ultra talented. He can do a lot of really good things, and that’s what we’re trying to do — just make him comfortable and let him do what he does best.”
note, here it is. i don't even have any words to say how proud i am of this team. i am at a loss for words. hope you enjoy. this fic is part of the "life with the johnsons" series. check out this masterlist for more.
pair, erik johnson x reader
summary, i think the title tells you everything you need to know.
warnings, children, alcohol consumption (all legal)
word count, 1388 words
gif credit to @maljic
You weren't even out of the arena after game 5 when you bought 2 separate tickets. A plane ticket and a game ticket.
"Why can't we go?" Lila asked as all three kids watched you pack your suitcase.
"Because it was so last minute and traveling with you three can be exhausting sometimes." You told them. They all pouted, "Don't give me that look. You're gonna spend time with grandma and grandpa, and you'll even get to see all your friends." There was a watch party for all the partners and kids who weren't going to Tampa.
"We want to go with you," Ivy whined.
"I know you do, but I don't think you'd like Tampa very much." You told her, picking her up and setting her on your hip.
"Why not?"
"Because there are alligators." She made a face, "We'll be back and we'll FaceTime you every night. Don't worry." You reassured.
"Promise?"
"I promise." You nodded, kissing her head.
"Will you bring back gifts?" Zach asked.
"Of course, we will." You kissed his head too, then placed a final one on Lila's head.
"Okay, go sit at the table and I'll get lunch ready."
-
Later that afternoon, you and Erik were saying your goodbyes to Lila, Ivy, and Zach. Both sets of grandparents were in the house, ready to take care of them.
"We'll see you in 2 days." You hugged Lila tight.
"Promise to FaceTime?" Lila asked.
"I promise." You nodded, kissing her head. Erik had to drag you out of the house.
You said your goodbyes before you grabbed your boarding pass, "I'll see you there." You wrapped your arms around his neck and he wrapped his around your waist.
"Text me when you touch down."
"I will, this isn't my first time traveling with you for a game." You punched him softly on the shoulder.
"Be safe."
"I will, besides I'm not flying alone." You reminded him.
"I know." He looked worried.
"I'll be fine. Just get on your plane and I'll see you in Tampa." You pulled him down and into a hug,
"All right, if you two are done, we've all got planes to catch." You pulled away and saw a smirking Gabe staring back at you. You kissed Erik's cheek once more before waving to him.
You and Mel both waved them off before getting your boarding passes and going through security. You met up with a few other girls at the gate.
"You feeling good?" Sydney Kuemper asked, sitting down next to you.
"I might pass out." You laughed as you shook your coffee.
"Here, have a bagel." She handed you a bag with a bagel in it.
"Thanks." You laughed, "I'll need it later."
Once you got on the plane, you felt a little more at ease. You even got a glass of champagne, something you wouldn't normally be able to do if you were traveling with kids.
-
On the day of the game, you hadn't strayed from your ritual. You got ready the exact same way, you ate the same food, and you did everything the same as you would at home.
You got to the arena and found your spots and even had time to get a drink before puck drop. The entire game, your hand was gripped in Mel's.
The one time Tampa scored, you squeezed her hand so hard you were worried you had cut off circulation. But when Nate scored, you were both on your feet, screaming and cheering for him. When Artturi got the second goal, you were back on your feet.
When the 3rd period started, that was when the nerves started setting in, but as the clock ticked down and it was clear that neither team was scoring, that's when things started settling in.
The timer went off and everyone on the bench jumped onto the ice. You jumped out of your seat and all but jumped into Mel's arms.
Tears were flowing as they jumped around and hugged each other. Hats were given out, interviews happened and finally, the moment everyone was waited for, the Stanley Cup finally made its way onto the ice.
A speech was given. Somehow Erik had found you in the audience and smiled excitedly at you. You gave him the biggest smile he had ever seen and a big thumbs up.
"I have the privilege to invite Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog over and accept and hoist the Stanely Cup." A picture was taken before it was handed over and Gabe lifted it over his head, skating around, proudly showing it off.
You cheered, jumping up with Mel as he skated around in a circle before proudly handing it off to Erik, who looked almost apprehensive to pick it up. He hoisted it over his head and proudly showed it off.
You felt like you were screaming the loudest as you recorded the entire thing. It was handed off from guy to guy. Players, coaches, medical staff, everyone.
After all the interviews and everyone had gotten their chance with the trophy, family members were let onto the ice.
You let go of Mel's hand when you spotted Erik. You ran over to him and threw your arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around you and shoved his face into your neck. You felt his body shake and you knew he was crying.
You pulled away and cupped his face and tried to speak but no words came out. You pulled him back into a hug and stood there for what felt like forever.
You eventually pulled away for interviews, but Erik didn't let you go far. His arm was around you as he answered questions, "And how about you, Mrs. Johnson? How does it feel to be here? After all these years?"
"I mean, I've been with him from the start. Every win, every loss, and to finally see it finally be here, it's almost surreal." You were at a loss for words, "it's just crazy that we're finally here and I'm so incredibly proud of him and all the other guys." You smiled and Erik beamed proudly, leaning down and kissing your cheek.
-
After getting back to the hotel and waiting for Erik to get back so you could celebrate with everyone else, you checked your messages and saw you had one from your mom.
It was a video.
You hit play and a smile instantly found its way onto your face. It was a video of all three kids.
Lila, Zach, and Ivy were sitting on the couch but when they saw your face pop up on the screen when you were walking onto the ice to congratulate Erik, they all jumped out of their seats.
"That's mommy!" They all cheered as they jumped around the room. It was very much past their bedtime so they were very tired but clearly still full of energy.
They screamed even louder when they saw you and Erik, and even the dogs joined in and started barking.
You smiled when a photo was sent. It was a photo of all three kids standing in front of the TV, smiling, as a still of you and Erik hugging was playing behind them.
Erik came barging into the room, clearly already drunk. He stumbled around the room, and when he saw you, his eyes went wide and he smiled brightly.
He let out a hoot as he hugged you, "Champs, baby!"
"That you are." You winced, "How about we use our inside voices?"
"Oh, sorry." He whispered, giggling like an elementary school child, "Come on, we have to go out."
"Are you sure? You're already pretty tanked."
"We have to." He grabbed your arm and pulled you out the door. You met up with a few other couples and you were on your way to the bar.
Erik tossed back drink after drink (as he should), but you nursed the same beer. Drunk Erik, although funny, was a little discombobulated.
He pulled you onto the dance floor and danced around with you. After a lot of dancing, you made your way back over to the table your group had claimed and fed Erik some food.
"Is it everything you ever dreamed?" You asked.
"Everything and more." He smiled goofily, "I love you."
