EMPTYING THE MEMORABILIA CLOSET
EMPTYING THE MEMORABILIA CLOSET
By Mitch Beck, Howlings
MONROE, CT — Over 20 years ago, I started covering professional hockey.
I began as a contributor to Blueshirts Bulletin and then became Editor-in-Chief of the Hartford Wolf Pack Fan Club newsletter. Later, I also became Editor-in-Chief of the New York Rangers Fan Club newsletter. In fact, I was the only person to ever run both newsletters at the same time.
When the Rangers shut down the Fan Club newsletter, I started Howlings and continued covering the Hartford Wolf Pack, giving fans and supporters the most in-depth coverage they could find, and I provided it for free. Over the years, the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and even Division I college hockey credentialed me.
I was doing all of this while owning and operating my employment agency, Crossroads Consulting Group, LLC. I was making plenty of money, so I never bothered to get advertisers, ask fans for support, or anything else. I simply gave away many of the ads that did appear on the site for free.
It was, to use the old cliché, a labor of love.
I’ve had the opportunity to cover the 2007 NHL Draft in Columbus, Ohio, and later the 2013 NHL Draft in New Jersey. I’ve seen important and legendary games and spoken with many of the greatest players ever to lace up a pair of skates. Many even became personal friends.
Along the way, many of these wonderful players and coaches gave me gifts, or, if I happened to have a puck in my pocket, they’d sign it for me.
It was NEVER with the intention of selling any of it.
I was going to leave it all as an inheritance for my hockey-obsessed sons.
My passion for the sport also led me into coaching. I did that for 20 years as well, coaching everything from mites through four years behind the bench in college hockey.
This sport has given so much to my sons and to me.
But, like many others, the COVID-19 lockdowns destroyed my finances and ultimately forced me to close the company I had built over 24 years. I spent the next six years doing other things, and I’m only now resurrecting Crossroads.
My sons have told me they’d much rather see me sell these items now and use the money to help rebuild financially than save everything as their inheritance.
That is why my loss is your gain.
I’m selling the items listed on the Memorabilia page to raise money. I’ve kept the prices affordable so as many of you as possible who want one of these pieces can have the opportunity to own one.
And frankly, I’d rather see these things with hockey fans who will appreciate them than sitting in my closet.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mitch@howlings.net. I’ll be happy to answer anything I can.
And even more, if you know someone who would like to help finance this website or purchase advertising, I’d love to hear from you about that as well. What was once a no-brainer financially has become much more difficult to maintain.
So there’s my story—“sad but true,” as the song goes.
Thank you for supporting Howlings, whether you buy something or not.
At least I have the memories…
