Don't Bothers

The **Don't Bothers** were a peewee professional ice hockey team that competed in the junior ice hockey league in the state of Minnesota. Alex Morrow and Gordon Bombay each coached the team. They were folded into the Mighty Ducks after defeating the incarnation led by Coach T and were given the rights to the name as part of a bet.

## History

The Don't Bothers were formed after Alex Morrow's son Evan Morrow, was cut from the Ducks opening roster by Coach T. His words to Evan after cutting him were "don't bother", in light of criticizing his performance and deeming him not a good fit for the team. Alex retaliated and said "You don't bother" to Coach T, standing up for her son while giving a speech about how unfair he was to cut him in the first place. The ordeal resulted in a viral video being recorded. Evan and his friend Nick Ganz would form their own hockey team and start recruiting some players: Logan LaRue, Jaden Koobler, Lauren Gibby, Maya Kasper, and Adib Samitar. At the announcement of the upcoming season, as Coach T was calling the names of each of the teams that were participating, Alex interrupted the announcement by saying she wanted her hockey team to join the league, and calling them the "Don't Bothers". Largely seen as underdogs with no chance of getting anywhere to the top, the team struggled in the standings and much of their roster was inexperienced in the sport of hockey.

Alex served as the head coach for the team, and the Ice Palace served as their home turf. The Don't Bothers played their first game against the Cardinals, a team with bigger, more imposing players. The team was overwhelmed all game, with Evan Morrow being the only stand out player, as the Cardinals defeated the Don't Bothers 12-0 at the Ice Palace. Due to a lack of fundamental training, Evan suggested the team have practice after the game to better prepare themselves for the next one.

Their second game, a road game against the defending state champion Mighty Ducks, almost ended in a similar defeat. However, Evan was able to score a last second goal, denying the Ducks a shutout and the game ending at 17-1. The Don't Bothers celebrated on the ice of the Hendrix Pavilion even though they lost, because their mentality was not all about winning and winning alone.

### Overcoming the odds

Alex's role as head coach was suspended by a unanimous player decision after she became hellbent on winning as opposed to having fun, forcing Gordon Bombay to step up in her place. He would coach the Ducks for a couple of games during their road trip. Alex eventually returned to reprise her role as coach after legal issues hindered Gordon's ability to coach hockey. Three additional players joined the Don't Bothers following the start of the 2020 hockey season: Sofi Hanson-Bhatt, Tibor Chapek, and Havel Capek.

The Don't Bothers finished the 2020 hockey season in second place after forfeiting the final against the Mighty Ducks because of a severe knee injury undertaken by Sofi. An unsanctioned, unofficial, and underground match between the Don't Bothers and the Mighty Ducks was held shortly afterwards. The two teams had agreed that the Don't Bothers would cease to exist after the match, either winning and becoming the new Mighty Ducks or losing and dissolving permanently. The Don't Bothers emerged victorious and became the new Mighty Ducks, and the team permanently ceased to exist under the label "Don't Bothers."