Behind the Boards: A Contractor's Story
December 2, 2025•337 words
You wouldn't believe the conversation I eavesdropped on the other day. It was between two local contractors, the kind of hardworking folks who keep this city running. And the subject? A group of incredibly wealthy, professional hockey players we'll leave nameless.
The frustration was absolutely boiling over. One contractor, who handles landscaping and snow removal, was at his wit's end. He said, and I quote, literally every player on the team, except for the captain, hasn't paid him in over two years. Imagine that: two years of sweat, snow plowing, and lawn care, all unpaid.
The other contractor, clearly exasperated for his friend, suggested, "Just take them to court, man!"
But the first guy shook his head sadly. "I can't. I tried. I went to the goalie, the worst of the lot, and threatened to sue the whole team."
The goalie's response? A nasty power play. He sneered, "I will make sure no player will ever ask for your business again." A blatant, chilling threat to their livelihoods.
As they calmed down, they started detailing the personalities of the whole team, the unbelievable egos, the sense of entitlement. But then, a truly surprising detail emerged: they both stopped short when it came to the captain.
Apparently, the captain was the complete opposite. He was described as the most decent, caring, and empathetic individual they had ever done business with. It was then they realized a painful truth: they were only ever doing work for the captain and getting paid by the captain. Everyone else was simply taking goods and services without any intention of paying.
Both men genuinely cared for the captain and actually felt sorry for him. They concluded that there's no way a team full of players this egotistical, the kind who rip off the hard-working contractors of the very city they represent, could ever truly succeed; they will never win a Stanley Cup Championship by ripping off community members within their own City. It’s a real shame to see people treat others that way.