Changes coming on Caps beat

As you have probably heard by now, my run as Caps beat writer is coming to an end after five years.

I'm terrible with goodbyes, so I'll keep this brief. It's been an honor and privilege to cover the hockey team I grew up watching for the newspaper I grew up reading. But the time has come for me to seek out new challenges and, equally as important, spend more time at home after living out of a suitcase every fall, winter and spring since Oct. 2005.

I'm not leaving The Post. I'm simply changing gears and will report on other sports I'm just as passionate about: college hoops (Georgetown basketball specifically) and auto racing (NASCAR and the Indy 500). I'll also take on boxing, action sports, MMA and will help out on hockey in the playoffs and whenever else I'm needed.

Don't worry, Capitals Insider isn't going anywhere. In the coming weeks, Katie Carrera will transition into her new role as lead reporter on the blog and in the paper. Please join me in welcoming her. Also, if you're not already, you can follow Katie on Twitter at @WPKatieCarrera.

Again, thanks for five great years and helping this blog become more popular than anyone fathomed when I pitched the idea in 2006. I'm excited about my new role -- and the fact that the hockey team I'll follow this winter will be my six-year-old son's mite squad.