Page 109 of Meant for Mayhem

After disappearing on a leave of absence on opening night, Mikko Laaksonen finally returned to the lineup, only to deliver his best game in months Saturday night with two assists in a 3-0 win over New York.

Then came the real surprise.

Reporters noticed a wedding band on Laaksonen’s left hand during his post-game interview, prompting the Yetis to confirm that the notoriously private defenseman recently got married.

Public records identify the mystery bride as Shannon Wilder, a speech pathologist from Colorado.

“Mikko and his wife are happy, and our organization is supportive of them as they adjust to married life and raising a young daughter together,” a Yetis representative said after the game.

Apparently Laaksonen has been keeping more than a wedding under wraps.

He’s a dad.

For years, the Giant has been one of the most reliable players in the league. But after an uncharacteristically shaky start, an abrupt leave of absence, and now his personal life changing overnight, it’s hard not to wonder if everything is quite as settled as the Yetis would have us believe.

Saturday’s performance looked like the Laaksonen we expect.

The question is whether we’ll see him again Monday, or if one of hockey’s safest bets has become its biggest question mark.

Shannon pointed at the picture of herself featured below the article. “They took that from the rehab site. That’s my headshot.”

I clenched my teeth, looking over the rows of seats until I saw Richard standing at the front of the plane, talking with Camille. My pulse raced as I stood from my seat and walked to the front of the plane. Camille noticed me first, and she put a hand on Richard’s arm to still whatever he was saying to our GM.

“Fire him,” I growled between clenched teeth. “Now.”

My heart hammered against my ribs, the familiar ringing starting in my ears.

The article.

The photo.

The way they’d dug through public records to find Shannon’s name—it all crashed into me at once until I could hardly breathe.

Richard’s face went pale. “Mikko, we discussed⁠—”

“You discussed,” I cut him off. “I told you to keep my family out of it. I said I’d answer your questions about anything except them, so you did it for me. You had no right.”

My chest tightened. The edges of my vision blurred the way it had in the locker room a few weeks ago. I grabbed the nearest seat, trying to stay grounded, but the roar in my ears was only getting louder.

Coach Tremblay stepped onto the plane, Frankie close behind him. The moment Frankie’s eyes met mine, he knew.

“Mikko,” Camille said, her hands up. “Let’s take it easy.”

But I couldn’t take it easy, not on this.

Frankie pushed past Coach to get to me, but not before Shannon’s hand clamped around my upper arm.

She pushed me down into the closest seat, then stood in front of me until all I could see was her.

“Hey,” she said, her voice cutting through the noise in my head. “Breathe with me. In and out.”

I did as she said, and she gave me a little smile.

“Good. Again.”

I focused on her dark grey eyes, on the feel of her hand stroking over my arm.

Slowly, the ringing faded.