Some of you might have heard, but most of you probably haven't. Today marks my final day as part of the Hockey Buzz team. Though I think that I am able to deal with change better than the average bear, it is never an easy thing. Especially when that change is coming in the form of leaving something that I have been such a big part of for four years.
Though Ek had been posting my stuff for close to six months before I officially joined the site, I will never forget my first post as the site's Penguins blogger which came on September 26, 2006. It was probably the first of many that showed my love for movies, music and pop culture. The Penguins were on their way to West Point for some team building exercises and the first thing that came to mind was the movie "Stripes" featuring Bill Murray as Private John Winger. Here is the blog in case you would like to walk down memory lane.
Another thing that made this decision even harder is the fact that I have developed so many good friendships through the site...friendships with people from all over the world. Even Philadelphia!I Who thought it possible!
I say that jokingly, but it is true...I have met so many great people through this site: first off, the folks who run it, Ek and EO, all of the bloggers, and most importantly all of you out there who gave me a reason to keep coming back. It has been an amazing ride and I can't thank you all enough for it!
In parting, I want to thank Eklund for giving me an opportunity and a large microphone. It has been much appreciated. Who knows, many of the friends I mentioned above might not have been able to find me otherwise and I will be forever grateful for that. Same goes for EO, he has been very supportive over the years and was a great wing man when he and Ek have blown through Pittsburgh. We have closed the Pittsburgh Marriott on many occasions while sharing crazy stories from our lives all the while tipping two, maybe three icy cold ones.
But most of all it is you, the hockey fans from around the world and specifically in Pittsburgh that have made the experience more than I could have ever hoped for. Thinking that a stadium's worth of people are reading what I put out there from day to day is overwhelming but much appreciated.
So you may be asking yourself in reading this... "Why is Metz leaving?" "What is going on here?"
First of all, we all need to move forward in whatever it is that we are doing. Sometimes you feel as if you are in a rut, stagnant or have just gotten too comfortable. To much comfort breeds complacency and complacency is not a good thing in this business. I think all of that applies to me... I just needed a new set of challenges...needed to chase other goals that are on my list and to move forward.
And after much thought, prayer and planning, I am doing that... I am branching out on my own and launching a site called From the Point.
I will still be focused on the Pittsburgh Penguins and covering them on a day to day basis for several outlets including XM Home Ice. However, I will also be able to cover a wider variety of topics from around the league. You can also continue to count on "Just Saying..", "Penguins Song Blogs" and others that have become fan favorites over the years.
But wait there's more...
I will have additional announcements in the coming weeks regarding the site and some other opportunities and places that you will be able to read, hear and potentially see me.
You can still follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Four Square or wherever else it is that you typically have followed me in the past.
I hope to see all of you in the future... be here, there or in between.
I don't think that there is much more to say... So with that... I bid adieu to my friends at Hockey Buzz... and leave you with these words from one of my new favorite bands, The Script...
Now I'm alive
And all my ghosts are gone
I've shed all the pain
That I've been holding on
What don't kill a heart only makes it strong
It's the end where I begin
It's the end where I begin
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