As you can see, I have a new photo. The old one was from the first week I started at the Herald in March 2000, and a few people have been after me to update it. Thanks to Herald photo man Paul T. Erickson, I have aged 10 years.
They have been a good 10 years.
I covered high school football, volleyball, wrestling and baseball for two years when I first arrived here. I got put on the Americans beat in 2002 after the team went through a few different beat writers. I fought with Jeff about this new assignment, and as you can see, I lost.
My first year was learning process. The team won just 20 games. At times, went winless in 12-game stretches. I had to learn a whole new sport. It certainly wasn't football and Southern Oregon State College was known for its wrestling program. The only sheet of ice in Ashland was a frozen mud puddle, and even that was rare.
Things have improved since then (and I'd like to think I have, too). The Americans won back-to-back U.S. Division titles under Don Nachbaur, and are working on a third under Jim Hiller.
I've come to love this beat. Sure, I get out of the office on busy prep sports night and the games are exciting to watch, but it's all about the growth of the guys who play the game -- as players and as people.
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Next year's Winter Classic could set an attendance record.
New York Knicks (8-14) at Boston Celtics (11-10), 8 p.m. (ET)
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Carmelo Anthony has battled with injuries and losing streaks since helping the New York Knicks defeat the Boston Celtics in a much- anticipated matchup on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden.
Washington Capitals (28-21-5) at New York Rangers (35-13-5), 12:30 p.m. (ET)
Washington Capitals (28-21-5) at New York Rangers (35-13-5), 12:30 p.m. (ET)
Fresh off another dominating performance against their nearest division rivals, the first-place New York Rangers will welcome the Washington Capitals for today's battle at Madison Square Garden.
Let's hear it for the boys
Let's hear it for the boys
Happy to report the Ams beat the Portland Winterhawks 5-4 in a shootout Saturday afternoon. Shinny scored the goal in the shootout to put the Ams at 2-0 in the preseason.
Swedish forward Malte Strömwall scored his first goal and Justin Feser had a goal and two assists. I've discovered that Kennewick High School has a Swedish exchange student and I may be able to get some help in the future when I need more than a couple of quotes.
Tri-City has 31 guys on its roster and some of the young ones will be going home after the Red Lion Tournament this weekend at Toyota Center. The Ams still have five 20s and two will have to go. Shinny was the only one to play both games this weekend.
Super Bowl draws record 111.3M viewers on NBC
Super Bowl draws record 111.3M viewers on NBC
For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history.
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