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My parting wish is that Caps fans get a DP striker before I get a new job — and that he knows which goal to shoot on.

Now, at the risk of rambling, some thank yous:

To my colleague and friend SteveEwen, who encouraged me to go for the Province job and has indulged many of my writerly worries: Good call, and thanks. Quick story: My first ever assignment for the paper was a Chilliwack Bruins game, on deadline. Steve insisted he’d come along despite my claim there was no need. Luckily, he’s stubborn. I forgot my power cord and no one had a matching one. I filed that night with zero per cent showing on the battery and Steve imploring “JUST SEND IT, KID!” after suggesting all the right (quick) edits. My screen went black as I hit send — sweaty and panicked — but the story made it. I wasn’t fired my first day. It was the first of many times I leaned on Steve. He taught me many things, including how to phrase questions to Don Hay, which probably saved my life.

To HowardTsumura, aka Howie, whose passion for sports writing and story telling was probably the biggest reason I pursued this path in 2007. I wanted to be like Howie. I didn’t live up to that. Not even close. But it was fun trying for a while. The man is one of kind, and the outpouring of love for him from the high school and university community as he leaves the paper makes me very happy and sad all at once. I can’t wait to see what he does next.

My boss JonathanMcDonald, aka J Mac, is just the best damn boss anyone could ask for. He is the most positive person per inch that I know. He fought for me to get hired (which was a feat since I didn’t go to J school) and has encouraged me every day since — to be different, creative, to get away from scrums and sameness — even when I was being a huge pain in the butt. One day, I secretly hope he says something mean to me.