One year, one Stanley Cup and a whole bunch of fun with Blackhawk Up

I’ve been thinking of what to write in this first sentence for quite sometime. I realized the reason it’s been so difficult is because I can barely put into words the amount of gratitude I have for all those who have made Blackhawk Up what it’s become.

Today marks the 365th day since Blackhawk Up launched on the FanSided network with me being the sole writer (save for one epic post by Forklift over at Hockee Night when I was on vacation during the Stanley Cup Final). It’s been one hell of a ride watching the site continuously grow with more and more readers each passing day. I glanced over the traffic numbers throughout the year, and the constant rise puts a huge smile on my face. The success of the site obviously spiked due to the Blackhawks’ run throughout the season, but I hope you all kept coming back because of the words I wrote.

I have so many loyal followers who have interacted with me through the comments, email, Twitter and mainly the Facebook page that it would take me forever to thank you all individually. With the amount of time I spend on making this site what I want it to be, it’s an amazing feeling knowing there are people out there who actually look forward to my next post. There aren’t many successful sites out there today with one writer, so the fact I’ve been able to provide constant posts for all of you who — for some reason — actually wait to read what I have to write is a great accomplishment. And it’s all because of you readers who stop by to take a gander.

I’ve been very right about a lot of things I’ve written here, and I’ve also been very, very wrong. I’ve been the calming influence, though I’ve also added plenty of fuel to the fire. I’ve taken on columnists from Detroit and even made a national television appearance when I got double-teamed like a fledgling pornstar.

No matter what I wrote, you were there to either agree or disagree for the past year — and I’ve welcomed, and will continue to welcome, both sides. You know why the Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup mean so much to me, and I’m glad I can explain my side of the story to those who share in my obsession.

With no disrespect to anyone else, I’d like to thank some people individually:

— Adam and Zach Best, the co-founders of FanSided, who launched the site, let me run with it and proceeded to let me have a voice throughout the network. Thanks for all your support and attention.

— My grandmother, who cringes at every single curse she reads, yet is still the most loyal reader of anyone. The woman actually sat and cried when she saw me on TV. She supports everything I do unconditionally, and Blackhawk Up is no different.

— The Blackhawks blogsphere, namely Fork and CT of Hockee Night and Sam, McClure and Killion of Second City Hockey. I’m sure all of them received my initial email and said, “Great, another shitty ‘Hawks site has popped up.” I think they all quickly learned I knew what I was doing, and we’ve all shared many adult beverages discussing the ‘Hawks. I’ve been on multiple PUCKCASTS with the Hockee Night fellas, and Sam has let me contribute to The Committed Indian on a few occasions. If I hadn’t started this site, I may have never met any of you. Thanks for the past year, and I look forward to many more.

— Jeff Erikson and Neil Brown, my partners in crime in Section 326, Row 12, Seats 9-11. Jeff has been my best friend since sophomore year in high school, and when he presented me with the opportunity to share a season ticket at the beginning of the 2008-09 season I jumped at the chance. Of course, he would have never came to me with this if it hadn’t been for Neil, who told Jeff he was purchasing tickets and asked if he wanted in on it. We’ve laughed, cheered and even shed a few tears after the ‘Hawks won the Cup. Gentlemen, now we finally have something to be happy about every June 9th. Thank you both for your support.

Now that I’ve gotten a bit sappy, I’d like to send out one more thank you to all of you readers and the 20,000 or so followers through the Droid and iPhone apps. None of the words I write would mean a damn thing if you didn’t stop by and read them.

Here’s to many, many more years at Blackhawk Up — and hopefully another Stanley Cup or two or ten.

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