Faceoff Factor

Goodbye (For Now)

Alex Kirshner | Faceoff Factor News

Feb 18, 11:53 PM | Hype this story!

When I sent Matt an email in August of 2008 inquiring about an open position on FF to write about Canadian juniors, I expected to get a bit of jump start on what I still hope will be a long career in journalism. As it turns out, my experience here was much more than just a stepping stone.

While I had followed the Penguins and NHL for the vast majority of my still fairly young life, I had never opted to broaden my hockey horizons by paying at least some measure of attention to other players and leagues.

When covering Canadian major junior hockey for Faceoff-Factor, I got the chance to do just that.

There were so many intriguing stories in and around the CHL that deeply fascinated me. Through the research necessary to put together a decent article for the site, I became familiar with some elite teams and great prospects that NHL fans will see a lot of for years to come.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and I think that the time has come for me to make a decision to that tune.

The rigors of school, multiple hockey teams, the officiating of hockey games, studying, and good old fashioned homework have cut hard into the time I had previously set aside to write.

At this point in my life, continuing to write with any real frequency would mean sacrificing some of the very limited time I already have to relax with friends and family.

Someday, the time might be right for me to return to FF and write again. That would be delightful, and I won’t rule it out in the future.

For now, it is time for me to say farewell.

(Let’s hope the Pens don’t say the same in the coming weeks!)