Eric Rodgers Joins The Copper & Blue, Neal Takes A Break
by Derek Zona on Jul 17, 2011 4:30 PM MDT
in Barons
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The Copper & Blue never rebuilds, we just reload. Our man in Oklahoma has taken a leave of absence from The Copper & Blue. Neal won't be able to devote as much time to the Barons as he did over the past year, time that allowed him to bring our readership the very best Oklahoma City Barons' coverage. His work during the Barons inaugural season allowed us to experience Linus Omark's domination, Colin McDonald's amazing season and Bryan Helmer's milestone game as if the Barons were a local Alberta minor league team. Neal's insight and personal take gave Oilers' fans 1500 miles away an intimate look into the Barons, especially when there were only 200 other fans in the building. We will miss Neal's contributions and wish him well until he can return. We also hope that his time away from The Copper & Blue will remain indefinite and never change to permanent.
Through the accidental magic of serendipity, our community won't miss a beat when it comes to Barons' coverage. After sending out a few feelers to find a local writer to take up the load left behind by Neal's sabbatical, we struck out. We decided to cover the Barons by splitting the work amongst the staff with Lisa handling the day-to-day coverage. Ten minutes after coming to this decision, we received an e-mail inquiring as to whether we were still looking for someone to write about the Barons.
As luck would have it, the author of that e-mail was Eric Rodgers. Eric previously covered the Barons for Oilers Jambalaya, bringing news and analysis from another local Oklahoma City perspective. Eric is an enormous Barons fan with a significant online presence in Oklahoma City and an avid following. Eric attends most every Barons' home game and brings an excellent history of fan and reader interaction. Eric is a thorough and thoughtful writer. He knows the Barons as well as anyone and has developed relationships in the city that afford him a unique viewpoint on the Barons and Oklahoma City hockey in general. We expect his news and analysis to be top-notch.
So we wish Neal well, and we're excited to see what Eric has in store for The Copper & Blue. Join us in giving our best wishes to both.
Follow Eric on Twitter @AHLBarons
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Welcome Eric!
I’ll be living in Tulsa starting this fall and plan to attend at least 10 games, while following the rest of the season diligently on AHL live streaming (in addition to Oiler games, of course). I look forward to your analysis and commentary, Eric. Perhaps for one of the games we could meet up for a beer (or pop) in between periods.
Definitely, let me know when you’ll be attending. Hopefully you make it to Tulsa after the heat wave finally breaks
by Eric Rodgers on Jul 17, 2011 7:41 PM MDT up reply actions
Eric The Great
Eric will do a fantastic job over here. Get ready for some great stuff.
I’ll just become the JF Jacques of the C&B staff and just pop up for no reason at all, at the worst times possible. You’re welcome.
Tending the Farm for The Copper & Blue
by Neal Livingston on Jul 17, 2011 5:59 PM MDT reply actions
Thanks Neil
While I’m sure that Eric will be great, but we will miss your insight Neil. You did a great job of keeping Oil fans in the loop of all things Baron. Thanks for your great work!!!
Thanks Neal. Hopefully I’m able to fill the shoes you’re leaving here for me.
by Eric Rodgers on Jul 17, 2011 7:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Even though you’re out of your position, everyone is still expecting big hits from you!
Manager at Vancouver Whitecaps and western Canadian soccer website Eighty Six Forever and infrequently-posting flunky at Edmonton Oilers blog The Copper & Blue.
by Benjamin Massey on Jul 17, 2011 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s been a pleasure reading your articles, and I hope you’ll continue to post from time to time. All the best.
Loyal fan of the Edmonton Oilers. Don't you judge me.
by Ben Johnston on Jul 17, 2011 10:06 PM MDT up reply actions
Thanks Neil
The 200 post will remain one of my all time favorite reads on the Oilers, in any medium, ever.
For that alone, Thanks.
by Jaysen Knight on Jul 17, 2011 11:55 PM MDT up reply actions
Thanks Neal, still looking forward to hearing your thoughts throughout the season.
Eric will be a fine addition, an avid hockey fan and an informed local. Hopefully we can really grab the attention of the Okies this year.
Copper & Blue
by Lisa McRitchie on Jul 18, 2011 8:04 AM MDT up reply actions
Thanks for all of your hard work and great articles on the Barons and OKC, Neil.
by TakeoutArtist on Jul 18, 2011 11:14 AM MDT up reply actions
Big Shoes
It’s my humble opinion that Neal was the MVP of Copper and Blue over the past year (and not in a Khabibulin MVP kinda way).
I look forward to Eric’s articles and wish him the best of luck moving forwards!
Thanks for everything, Neal! Your insight was very valuable.
Welcome aboard, Eric!
A posse ad esse.
OilersNation|Houses of the Hockey|ESPN Insider
Twitter: @JonathanWillis
Mail: jonathan.willis@live.ca
by Jonathan Willis on Jul 17, 2011 9:48 PM MDT reply actions
I’d totally buy each and every one of the staff a beer if I could. Hell, this is the closest thing to group therapy that I have.
Anyways, Neal, I hope you’re back soon.
Good luck Eric!
Lead Writer for Oil On Whyte - An Edmonton Oilers Blog
Those Monday morning reports were pretty much the best part of that horrible meeting filled 1st day back at work for me.
Thank you for all of those wonderful articles and best of fortune to you. Now I suppose I’ll have to replace all of those Mr. Livingston monologues in my head with something else as well.
by proxy on Jul 18, 2011 3:56 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
Congrats on coming aboard Eric.
I already know Eric from the boards and the AHL Live chat during away games etc… He is a dedicated follower of the Barons and I am certain he will do a solid job. Looking forward to your Barons coverage.
By the way Eric how many Omark jerseys do you own now? :)
Also wanted say a thanks to Neal who really did a fantastic job IMO.
Hi Eric, welcome aboard! Neal set the bar pretty high with Barons coverage as you know. I look forward to your continuing to make the C&B a must-read for Barons fans.
@Neal: Thanks! Best wishes in your future endeavours. I’ll continue to follow you on Twitter!
Writer for The Cult of Hockey, The Copper & Blue, and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
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