Dear Hockey

Hello, Hockey.

Listen, I know we haven't always had the best relationship. I know I never played hockey as a child, and I know I still can't skate backwards. I know we didn't always get along when the Bruins were a bottom-feeder in the East, and I know that I still don't actually own a Bruins jersey.  (They're expensive, I'm a broke college student, what do you want from me?) I also remember when our relationship briefly went through a rough patch in 2004-2005.

But recently I feel like we've been on better terms. I celebrated a championship you know, even went to a Stanley Cup Finals game. I routinely watched Versus/NBC Sports Network/Whatever channel they decide on for this month last year, as hockey has never been more exciting. But now you've been taken away from me again.

To be honest, hockey, I miss you.

I miss turning on the TV at night and being able to watch both the Celtics and Bruins. I miss having a valid excuse to not start whatever assignment I've procrastinated until roughly 10:00. Heck, I STILL miss Kathryn Tappen, no offense Dale Arnold.

I miss Brad Marchand short-handed goals and shouting Nose Face Killah at no one in particular.

I miss Shawn Thornton angrily skating around looking for his next fight as if a hockey game is a Saturday night bar-crawl in South Boston.

I'm not quite sure if I'm suppose to miss Tim Thomas or not.

I miss ESPN going out of their way to devote as small amount of time as possible to hockey coverage, instead shoving Tim Tebow and fantasy football analysts down our throat.

I miss hearing the Bruins goal horn and being excited. Now I hear it every third-down in Gillette Stadium. WARNING: Disappointment is imminent.

I miss Jack Edwards shamelessly screaming at Canadien's players and his overall bias towards Boston.

I miss laughing at Daniel Paille's inability to finish breakaway goals, watching Johnny Boychuk take slapshots. I miss calling out David Krejci because he's the resident scapegoat, even though he's a damn good player.

I miss Milan Lucic's crooked nose.

I miss hockey rivalries, no matter where the game takes place. I miss having a season to look forward too, and I miss yelling Tuuuuuukkkkaaaa.

I miss, wait a minute, no I definitely do NOT miss the Vancouver Canucks.

I want to experience going into a Bruins game as a college student, seeing as I have such easy accessibility to the Garden.

What saddens me the most is that this is a salvageable situation, hockey. How dare you threaten your fan base with the Winter Classic? This is one of the most loyal fan bases in sports. And despite hockey enthusiasts willingness to stay hibernated, not allowing new fans in and disgracing basketball fans, I miss you guys too.

Listen, I'm not a lawyer. I'm not going to pretend to tell you all about the CBA and what either side should demand. I do know the players felt disrespected, they felt like they gave the owners a good piece of the pie last time, and I know they want some respect for single-handedly growing the game in a way it hasn't grown before.

I also know the players had a deal from the owners which they most likely should have taken. But somewhere along the way, rumors, pride, ego, whatever it may be, got in the way.

So now hockey continues into the month of November permanently on hold. As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, we'll look to hockey even more. Sadly, it's not there, and may not be there for a long time.

Do you see what you've done with this lockout, hockey? I'm writing a love letter to a sport. Thanks for nothing, Gary Bettman.

Love,

 Mark.