By Myself in Columbus

Sometimes being the only reporter at an assignment can be intimidating, but it can also be a lot of fun.

Happy Holidays, from my humble home in Midtown Toronto! After a length drive from Columbus, Ohio on the evening of December 23rd and into the wee hours of the 24th, it felt good to be home and shut off for a few days. At least, shut off as best as I could.

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When COVID took hold of the world in 2020, it was understandable to see reporters stay home. Doing media availabilities via Zoom from home was the new way of doing things until the world opened up again. Although the world reverted to normal the challenges of sports journalism continue to linger.

It was November 21, 2021, when I made my way to UBS Arena on Long Island for the first time. The Toronto Maple Leafs were playing the second-ever game at the New York Islanders’ brand-new home after the home team christened the building the night before against the Calgary Flames.

With the Leafs finishing off a home game the night before, they did a media availability 2.5 hours before game time with a couple of players and head coach Sheldon Keefe. I showed up to the interview area to find out that I was the only reporter there. That had never happened before.