It seems like this will be the last news I break on the High School Sticking blog: After seven years at The Journal News, today was my last day.

In that time, I’ve been the beat writer for 10 high school sports (hockey, Rockland football, Rockland boys basketball, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, indoor track, outdoor track, boys tennis, girls tennis and my first-ever beat, bowling). And I can honestly say that hockey had the most passionate and knowledgeable fans out there. 

I’ve been told that I didn’t pick the best time to enter the newspaper business. But I couldn’t think of a more exciting time. Just think of all the innovations we’ve had in the past few years — a database of player stats and team records, a studio show, streaming games, and of course the High School Sticking blog. 

I would like to thank everyone out there for all your contributions. The information was invaluable, the criticism made me a better reporter, and some of the jokes made my day. And there is no denying the reach that this blog has. Look at the user locations from one day in February (a month where the blog received almost 43,000 visitors and more than 156,000 hits): Waterloo, Ontario; Waynesville, Missouri; Key Biscayne, Florida; Columbus, Ohio; Saugus, Massachusetts; Harvey, Illinois; Silver Spring, Maryland; Ollie, Iowa; Upperville, Virginia; and in New York: All five boroughs, Baldwin, Canton, Watertown, Ithaca and Massena. 

That said, sometimes it crossed the line. We’re talking about teenagers, and words can hurt. I got this e-mail last season from a friend of a player who was the subject of some critical comments: XXXX can’t sleep.  I don’t care if you shut down the blog, make them disappear. I don’t know who will take over the hockey beat, but whoever it is, I urge them to use the delete key more often and keep a positive tone.

I would like to thank the hockey community — parents, alumni, students, officials, scorers — who were gracious and helpful every step of the way. A special thanks to John Orlando, the most responsive and informed Section 1 coordinator I’ve ever dealt with. And, finally, thank you to the players and coaches. You talked to me after devastating defeats, you welcomed me into locker rooms and practices, and most of all, you gave me some incredible moments I’ll never forget.