So, here we are.
I started writing about men’s hockey in 2008 as part of my college newspaper. A few years later, I had my first opportunities to write about hockey – and largely, the Sabres – online. I spent five years under Fansided before finding my home here at DBTB in 2017. All told, that means I’ve been writing about the Sabres for about half of my life, which is… absolutely wild.
I like numbers, so here are some numbers. Since I started here:
– The Sabres have played 617 games, with a 252-297-68 record.
– The Sabres have scored 1,777 goals (and allowed 2,071).
– 118 skaters and 15 goaltenders have appeared in at least one game for the Sabres.
This is my 1300th post here at Die By The Blade, and as I write these words and reflect back on a lot of years, I think about younger Melissa. Younger Melissa, who started watching the Sabres at the age of six, who adored Pat Lafontaine and Brian Holzinger; who went “Cup Crazy” and sobbed over “No Goal,” who truly was a die-hard Sabres fan and believed, to a point, that hockey was life, and nothing else mattered.
I think young Melissa would be amazed at all I’ve accomplished to this point – from being an 18-year-old college reporter walking into a post-game locker room and talking to Henrik Tallinder to walking into that same locker room at 31 and chatting with Alex Tuch about his tattoos. From being a kid reading The Hockey News (back when it was printed like a newspaper!) to being published in The Hockey News. From attending the NHL draft when it was in Buffalo in 1998 to covering the scouting combine and talking to top prospects, then covering development camps and prospects tournaments and everything in between.
I hope young Melissa would be proud of me.
Some 2,892 days since my first-ever post here at Die By The Blade, now comes my last. What a time it’s been. It’s honestly hard to imagine what comes next. What do you mean I can watch a hockey game and just…. watch? And not be mentally taking notes, or writing down statistics, or thinking about storylines to write about? That’s allowed?
I think it’ll take some getting used to, but I’m looking forward to what happens now.
I owe so many ‘thank yous’ to so many people along the way, but more than anything, to all of you reading this. For reading, commenting, sharing, posting. Your support has meant so much. To everyone who is or ever has been on the DBTB staff during my time here, thank you for being a part of the ride. To the fellow media members who ever offered a kind word over the years, you’ll never know how much it meant. To those who ever granted me access to a press box, a locker room or an interview, thank you for allowing me to tell these stories and find my voice.
To my mom, who is the reason I got into hockey. I always joke and say ‘it’s her fault,’ and it truly is. She was the one who got me into this sport as a kid and I couldn’t be more grateful.
To my husband Ryan, who is one of the very few people I’ve ever met who truly has a passion for hockey that equals mine – thank you for being here, always, and for your unwavering support. You’ve helped me pursue my dreams, and I promise to always help you pursue yours.
And lastly, to my 12-year-old nephew Jackson, who is a die-hard Sabres fan and loves reading Die By The Blade: I love ya, kid. I still love hockey, I’m still going to watch the Sabres – but I’ll be able to enjoy it in a different way, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how that feels.