Newly acquired Toronto Maple Leaf Patrick Marleau howls as he thrashes at the walls of his cell. His claws gouge into the meter thick reinforced concrete. If his fury were under control he would likely have escaped confinement with ease. That is the problem, his fury is not under control. That is why Patrick insisted on being locked away in the bowels of Toronto Maple Leaf Tower. No one could hear him scream, no one could get hurt.

Patrick is a Lycanthrope, pretty much a werewolf. The biggest difference is that he wasn’t cursed by a wolf bite, rather he was born with the preternatural ability to transform himself into a wolf/man hybrid. Growing up in the eighties on the Saskatchewan prairies gave Patrick plenty of opportunity to let loose, which in turn helped the pup learn how to control himself.

Not since his days playing junior hockey in Seattle had Patrick felt so helpless to control the whims of the beast that stirs his heart. Back then it had been the thrill of leaving home and the excitement of the big city that had inspired his outburst. This time it’s different. Patrick is a true pro, a veteran of twenty NHL campaigns, but he feels nervous.

It’s a good kind of nerves, the kind that comes from a journey into unknown territory. That’s what the fast approaching hockey season is for Patrick. He has never played hockey for a Canadian team in a Canadian city. Patrick didn’t count the Olympics, a short tournament wasn’t the same as a full season. For the first time in his career Patrick was playing for fans who would avidly scrutinize every second of every shift. The burden of accountability had proven too much for some and a small part of Patrick fears a similar fate. Only a small part though. Patrick has plenty of game left in him, plenty to show the young stars emerging on the Toronto Maple Leaf roster. It’s been a long time since Patrick felt eager to impress anyone, he’s excited. The beast is excited.

Gnashing his wulfen teeth and thrashing at the walls does little to calm the beast so he fails to notice the arrival of a witness to his rage.

“Hello Patrick.” Mike Babcock says as he opens the door to Patrick’s cell. The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs doesn’t even flinch as Patrick leaps at his throat.

“Sit.” Mike says.

The snarling maw closes. The beast lands and settles on its haunches eyeing Mike cautiously. The coach reaches into his pocket and Patrick flinches, Mike pulls out a live mouse which he tosses into the air. Patrick makes sure it doesn’t suffer even as the beast makes a meal of the treat.

“Good boy.” Mike says. “Let Paddy out.”

The wolf resists, it growls and spits, then it whimpers. There is a creak and a wet pop and slowly Patrick’s muzzle recedes and his teeth return to their normal shape.

“Thanks coach.” Patrick says. “Don’t worry, I’ll be okay to start the year.”

“You better be.” Mike doesn’t raise his voice but he sounds angry. “We really need you to be at you best this year. We brought you here for a very specific reason.”

“I know coach.” Patrick says. “I promise I will do everything I can to help the boys learn about being a pro. I’ll never, ever…”

“Are you talking about hockey?” Mike interrupts. “I don’t care about that.”

“What?” Patrick is stunned. “But I thought you signed me to be a mentor to the younger guys on the team.”

“Whatever.” Mike says with a shrug. “Obviously you’ll be a mentor of sorts, all that will figure itself out on the ice, I’m not here to talk about that.”

“Then what was the specific reason I was brought on to the team?” Patrick asks.

“This.” Mike holds up his phone in answer.

A video plays on the screen. Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly and Leo Komarov battle a single, slightly fat, gentleman in a room packed with treasure. Even in slow motion the combat is a blur but it is clear to Patrick that the Leafs are in trouble. There is an explosion and the screen goes dark as Mike puts his phone away.

“Is that a… a…?” Patrick stammers

“A vampire.” Mike confirms. “Yes it was.”

“You gotta let me go.” Patrick scrambles to find some clothes. “I can help them, I can fight those things. Hurry!”

“It’s okay.” Mike puts a hand on Patrick’s fuzzy shoulder. “This video is from a week ago, the boys are fine.” (Read the story here)

Patrick visibly relaxes as Mike continues.

“We know you can fight them, better, you can beat them. We know all about the infestation of blood suckers on the west coast. You did good work out there, now you need to do good work up here.”

“This doesn’t make sense.” Patrick scratches his fur. “Our investigations proved that the only vampires left in North America are juveniles, none with more than a century of life, but that vamp you showed me was…”

“Ancient.” Mike finishes for Patrick.

“But that’s impossible. Unless…” Patrick is stunned speechless by his own logic. He cannot bring himself to name the horror that he knows he must face.

“That’s right Patrick.” Mike is merciless in his revelations. “The legends were all true. Castlevania has returned, and it is here, right under our feet. Dracula’s powers grow as we speak and only the Toronto Maple Leafs can stand in his way. So, are you in?”

Patrick doesn’t answer immediately. The beast within him has settled right down. The year to come will be the most difficult and the most important of his entire life. There is no choice to be made. Patrick has been a hero for a long time. Now he’s a Leaf, and the truth of it goes deeper then any jersey. He slams his closed fist against his heart.

“Go Leafs.” Patrick says.