Lynch: Get to know the new lead writer at Chicago Hockey Now

With the Chicago Blackhawks training camp just a few days away, I realized I never really formerly introduced myself here at Chicago Hockey Now.

Over the course of the past few weeks, I have been getting accustomed with my new home here. I guess I have something in common with the Blackhawks right now, we both are entering our own training camps.

While I might be starting my first year on the Blackhawks beat, this is not my first year watching this team. I grew up on the south side of Chicago as a big Blackhawks fan. In my youth, I watched the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups in six seasons before graduating from elementary school. I know I am spoiled. I grew up thinking Chicago had a championship parade every other year.

Those were the days.

In college, writing was a daily joy of mine. I wrote for a number of different blogs covering the Blackhawks. One of my professors told us its never too early to start building your resume and gaining experience — I took that seriously.

My passion for hockey and the Hawks started with one person, my dad. My father, the late Jim Lynch Sr., passed away in 2017 at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer. Dad was the biggest Blackhawks fan I know. That love for hockey passed on to my sister and I.

We grew up going to hockey games with my father. I still remember my first Blackhawks game, it was against the Vancouver Canucks and the Hawks won 3-1. Dad and I were sitting up in the 300 level in one of the last rows of the United Center, but I didn’t care I was hooked.

I always loved the time stuck in traffic after the game. While I might not remember every game, I remember those car rides home with Dad. We would talk about how the power play wasn’t clicking or how some player scored a great goal. Whatever it was, I always enjoyed talking hockey with my dad.

Dad is the reason I was drawn to sports journalism. To this day, the stories I write have been to continue having those conversations in the car with him. Sports brings people together, and I am excited to join this community here at Chicago Hockey Now.

Our former editor, Nate Brown, did a phenomenal job leading the website over the past year plus. I am beyond proud and excited to come aboard and continue what he started. Nate has been a big help the last month getting me on board, and I am grateful to him and the entire National Hockey Now network for their help.

Before I close out my first column, I wanted to include a scene from one of my favorite movies of all time.

The Blackhawks might not pull of a miracle and make the playoffs this year, but they are in a position to compete game in and game out. Kyle Davidson has put together a roster that can improve upon last year’s 23-53-6 record. This season has plenty of reasons for excitement. From the Winter Classic, to Bedard playing with more star power, the 2024-25 NHL Season should be a major stepping point for the Hawks.

It’s crazy to think in just a few more days training camp will begin. Even crazier, the Blackhawks play a preseason game next week. I will be back tomorrow with a deep dive on the Hawks heading into training camp. In the meantime, thank you for reading and I hope you follow along with us all season.