Sammi Silber's life revolves around ice hockey. And she's ready to bring her Washington Capitals coverage to The Hockey News.
My life is hockey.
The skating, the skill, the hits, the intensity, the talent. And the emotions... all of it just combines into a game that goes beyond the ice. It's not just a sport; it's a lifestyle.
So the other day, when someone asked me why I love hockey, I landed on a simple answer.
"I mean, just look at it. It's a beautiful mess," I explained.
And now, I'm ready to take the next step in my hockey career, inking a deal to bring Washington Capitals coverage to The Hockey News.
It's been a long road here, a lifelong dream to work with the publication I grew up reading. I begged my mom for every annual yearbook so that I could learn as much as possible, and I also snuck on the computer one too many times to read THN online and track NHL scores and free agency signings in the summer.
My walls were also lined with pictures of my hockey idols: Alex Ovechkin, Rick Nash, Anze Kopitar, Jose Theodore and Marc Andre-Fleury.
It was also my mom, Patty, who inspired me to pursue a career in hockey. She bought me my first pair of skates and my first jersey, brought me to and from the rink and suggested I try to combine my love for the game with my writing ability.
Thankfully for me, it worked, and eventually, it led me to the press box. I've been lucky to work with the Capitals for the last six seasons, and I was also fortunate that my first year on the beat was the 2017-18 Stanley Cup season. It's also been a whirlwind and amazing experience to be doing work that I think (and hope) makes my family incredibly proud.
Looking back at the 2,500+ articles I've written over the course of my career, I can say one thing confidently: There's never a bad day covering the NHL. And I'm excited to keep that going with a new venture that I -- and I think you all -- will love.
So, as they say in hockey, let's do that hockey.