Times are a-changin’

Over the last few years, I have thoroughly enjoyed putting together two of my biggest passions, fitness and writing, into this blog. But starting in 2016, things will be changing up a little bit.

No, I’m not going to stop writing about fitness, Les Mills, and the like. I’m just going to be doing it elsewhere. While the title of this blog will remain the same, the topic will change to something else I’m passionate about: Sports. And writing about them.

Starting in 2016, the focus of this blog will be about some of our local teams – including the University of Maine hockey team, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics – but from the perspective of a fan who also happens to be a journalist. I really feel this will give readers perspective from both sides of the equation.

You see, I grew up rooting for all these teams. I’ve seen all of them win championships. Eleven to be exact since Maine’s first national championship in 1993 (I don’t count the 1985-86 Celtics since I was barely walking and talking that season). I’ve seen plenty of heartbreak, from Aaron Boone and David Tyree, to skates in the crease at TD Garden and a controversial call in Minnesota factors in denying Maine two other national titles in the beginning of the 21st century.

I’ve had dreams of covering all these teams at one juncture, mainly UMaine hockey and the Patriots, and now getting a chance to write and blog about them is a pretty darn good first step and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ll also write frequently about Maine’s passionate high school sports scene, a beat I spent tons of time on as a BDN sportswriter from 2008-2011.

I certainly look forward to what 2016 has to bring in this space! Hope everybody has a safe, happy and healthy New Year! We’re On To 2016!

Ryan McLaughlin

About Ryan McLaughlin

BDN sports reporter Ryan McLaughlin grew up in Brewer and is a lifelong fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins. In "The Boston Blitz" he'll be sharing his perspective with BDN readers about what's happening on the Boston professional sports scene.