So here we are, starting a New Year.
When I got home from Hartford this time last year, after seeing the Devils beat the Wolfpack and having an unplanned dinner with a few other Albany fans, I was feeling pretty good about what was to come in 2017. The team was playing well, on its way to another playoff spot, and I was looking forward to my first trip to Allentown in a few weeks for AHL All Stars.
Then everything happened. First, the rumors. Then, the breaking announcement that I had to learn from the media instead of the team. The press conference in Binghamton that soon followed. That I still don’t get as to why everything had to go down the way that it did.
But you know what? Now that I look back on things…and see what has conspired since this season began…I almost feel somewhat content.
When I thought once the season ended my hockey writing career was going on hiatus, not one, but two doors ended up opening for me, giving me a chance to expand beyond the blog and find a new audience (not to mention it helps the resume out if I decide to switch careers at some point in the next few years too). And, I found a new team that may be in a lower league that what I’ve been used to, but the environment is such an improvement over what I dealt with in Albany the last few years that…part of me wouldn’t mind if the AHL decided to put the Capital Region in its rearview mirror.
There are things I miss about Albany AHL hockey, of course: the shorter commute, befriending future NHLers, interacting with other fans in person and online on the regular.
But…I don’t miss AHL Live video, certain members of the fanbase, and having to plan life and the second job around a hockey schedule. I’m actually enjoying being able to pick and choose which games I want to attend…it actually feels nice to be able to stay in on a weekend night on occasion and listen to games online on my couch with my pajamas on.
So what will 2018 bring?
As far as the blog goes (it turns 7 this week!), you’ll probably get mostly these kind of entries now. With my hockey stuff outsourced, it would just get repetitive. I want to go back to what I originally wanted to do before all the Devils stuff took off. That will come as the inspiration–and the time to sit down to do it–hits me.
I’ll still be doing my weekly visits at Inside AHL Hockey and Raw Charge for the rest of the season…while keeping my eye on the rumor mill. Personally, I don’t feel like another AHL team will call Albany home next season, but stranger things have happened.
Happy New Year to all, and thanks for still reading despite me changing my mind several times. (I really should work on my indecisiveness habits.)
Thoughts Inside The Box 