POINT BLANK LATEST: Named National Hockey Writer for Fanhouse; Still hope to find place for PB
With change comes opportunity. Beginning next week, I’m joining AOL as national hockey writer for NHL Fanhouse. I’m very excited to be taking my act on the road and to have no boundaries in the beautiful game of hockey. Based out of New York, my assignments will include features, columns, opinion pieces, podcasts and live coverage. AOL has given me a tremendous opportunity and I plan on running with it.
My goal to find a full-time home for Point Blank remains. Time is running out on my personal deadline of Labor Day weekend, but possibilities exist. If the posts slow down over the next week, please know it’s because I’m working on my first Fanhouse pieces and attempting to finalize a deal to keep Point Blank alive and thriving.
Can I do both? Absolutely. Do I want to do both? Absolutely. In this business and in this economy, sports writers and bloggers have multiple affiliations. If I’m fortunate enough to have two, that’s nothing. Look around. One of my new colleagues at Fanhouse has five sites listed under his email signature. My editors at AOL support my wish to continue Point Blank and I’m very grateful for that.
Everything I may accomplish in this end of the business going forward is a result of the off-the-charts support I received from Islanders fans during the first year of this blog. Everything.
Even my invite to the AOL offices in Virginia was because of a reader – a transplanted Long Islander, a business executive at AOL who asked me if it was okay if he told some of the editors about my work. The kindness of strangers is astounding. Thank you to all of the PB readers, and also to the Islanders for the chance to start a writing career.
Four people in my life know about the Fanhouse gig as I post this. (I need to call my mom now). There’s a strong likelihood you’ll see my byline attached to stories on some of your least favorite teams in the next few weeks, so I wanted to give your hearts fair warning. Hopefully, you’ll recall the dozens of positive Islanders stories I wrote despite their record last season and not hold a grudge against me.
As soon as I have news one way or the other about Point Blank, you will be next to know. I’d really like to continue covering the Islanders, and I’m still hopeful. Thank you.
CB
144 Responses to POINT BLANK LATEST: Named National Hockey Writer for Fanhouse; Still hope to find place for PB
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Ajax says:
BEST OF LUCK CB!!!
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JPinVA says:
Congrats CB. Good luck at AOL. I guess I might have to start paying htat $5/mo subscription fee again.
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MickeyBoy7 says:
Mazel Tov…nothing but the best.
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Rob says:
Congratulations, Chris. Best of luck at Fanhouse, and even moreso, best of luck finding us all a new home for PB!
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bergie20 says:
congrats on the new gig! hope that you can still find a home for pb!
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james says:
congrates CB.
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Marc from Troy says:
Well deserved, CB. Best wishes for both the Fanhouse gig and for keeping PB alive!
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steve says:
congrats and best of luck….looking forward to more of your work
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figgy says:
CB –
Many Congrats! I’m so happy that the entire country will be able to share in your wonderful writing! Just try and do as few positive Ranger stories as you can… it just hurts the heart to think about it. -
mt275 says:
Congrats…. I had posted before that you should consider putting up a simple DONATE button… and let us chip in to keep PB alive.
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Mike says:
Congrats CB! Thanks for being upfront and honest with us. Looking forward to reading more of your stories in the future. Cheers!
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Quez says:
WORD!
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James says:
Congrats! Keep up the good work!
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Stumpy32 says:
We truly are everywhere. Thanks to the Isles fan in VA (who I no doubt passed by in all those Isles-Caps late 90s/early 00s games while I was in college in DC) for getting CB employed.
Congrats, CB. I hate to echo the popular line here, but words can’t describe how much this site has become part of my daily routine. The only thing close was, if anyone remembers, that late 90s site called http://www.isles-list.com, where they sent out a daily email with Isles chatter on it between fans. Wasn’t any real articles, but it was a g-dsend to those who didn’t live in NY at the time.
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Congrats CB.
I hope PB continues. The articles and opinions have been off the charts here lately. Good things happen to good people. I look forward to reading more great articles from you. All we can say is thank you. -
Matt says:
congrats and good luck Chris! i wish the islanders could just support Point Blank because this is clearly the best place to get Islanders information.
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jimfromstjames says:
Congrats CB, good to see at least you will still be writing/blogging about the best game on earth, now the rest of the leagues fans will know what we already know…
Just please keep plugging the Isles, they need all they can get.
just don’t be too kind to the team on Broadway, the ZZZZZDevs, maybe, Phili, OK, but not THEM!!!
Could AOL host IPB???
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GZ says:
Congrats Chris! I just bookmarked your new site.
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AngryPete says:
As a national hockey writer for NHL Fanhouse, lemme ask you this …
DO YOU HATE THE RANGERS? lol
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Mark P says:
Congrats! And just remember your roots….no matter what Teddy and AOL tell you….Alex O has a long way to go before he can be compared to Bossy.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
CB, great news and best of luck. I look forward to continuing to read your work.
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Congrats CB! You deserve everything you get .
Just a thought about the future of Pointblank. Now obviously I do not know any of the details about your meeting with the Islanders a couple months ago when it was decided they would not support you full time for this blog anymore. But now that you have another job, the amount of money you would need to make off pointblank would be less then before. Is there anyway of going back to the Islanders and letting them know that your financial needs would now be lower and see if they can provide enough sponsorship money to keep this alive?
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bossy22 says:
Congrats to you and your family. You thanked us PB fans, but you left out the most important…..family. Nothing is possible without their support. Cheers
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Joey303 says:
Congrats Chris -you deserve it!! Maybe you can convince Garth to go out and get Kessel from the Bruins!! All the best
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Phil says:
Congrats CB! Well deserved! Just remember to finish every story with a good “Rangers suck!” I think that would be a good pen name…Best of luck. I’ll be reading.
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Alex G says:
Congrats CB! Well deserved!
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Blizzard says: Nice, congrats…….hoping PB lives on!!!!!
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Shoogah says:
Congrats, CB! If IPB can’t live on, at least your writing will.
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Isles fan Ken says:
Congrats, best of luck at Fanhouse, I’ll bookmark it now. Also, good luck in your search to find a home for Point Blank. Try not to write too many nice stories on certain teams…
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Swan says:
Go get ‘em CB.
Congratulations!
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Travelchic59 says:
This is such great news, CB! Very happy to read this. Hopefully, you will still be able to find a new home for PB. I have my fingers crossed. All the best with the new gig.
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johnRVC says:
congrats CB
Goodluck!!
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Healy says:
Congrats Chris, I look forward to reading your future work. I share in your and everyone else’s hope that IBP can keep going as well.
Still the best thing to happen to Islander fans in a long while.
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Froggy says:
Congrats Chris, great to hear! Best of luck at the new gig.
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randy boyd says:
never heard of fanhouse before, but it has now been added to my favorites list. best of luck to you, CB. I am certain that your talents will be well appreciated by even more hockey fans now.
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Ron says:
Congratulations! I’ll be sure to check it out and make it one of my daily reads!
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isle5 says:
Good Luck CB! Lets keep Pointblank alive!
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Alex O says:
Congratulations CB, could not happen to a better writer, I will make sure to read all your articles over there
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JD (e_godard) says:
goodluck Chris!
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TwistedWrister says:
WOOOOHOOOO!!!!
Congratulations CB! Even if Point Blank can’t make it, I’m so excited to hear you found a new job.
Best of Luck. I’ll be reading it just like PB… every day!
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Daniel says:
Congrats and best of luck! You already have a nice following with us, and I am sure now hockey fans around the country will now have a new favorite writer.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Good luck Chris. Hope it means more sources and connections around the League.
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Dan from Westchester says:
Congrats CB. . Now the rest of the league will get to know Isles fans best kept secret.
This blog was ahead of its time for us fans. . Do hope you are able to continue / find a place for PB for the upcoming season.
Best of luck with the new gig. . just bookmarked the site.
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UIF says:
Best of luck and congrats, CB.
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Tavares #1 says:
Congrats!
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Bri on Li says:
Congrats and good luck, Chris, hope we see you here for a long time as well!
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Steven says:
Congratulations Chris! You have earned this opportunity and I’m so happy for you that you’ll be able to continue working in the field that you love. You have done such a great job in the last year. You have no idea how much your fine work has rejuvenated my interest in the Islanders and hockey in general.
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Rob in NJ says:
Good luck and congrats Chris! Keep PB alive! Can’t wait to read the articles for your new gig.
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Islesin2010 says:
Congrats Chris. Well deserved, going to miss you and PB
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Danny T says:
This is great to hear Chris, you really deserve this. Spread this great game to the masses.
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CB, good luck to you! I guess you couldn’t wait for one of those ten thousand or so promised jobs the Lighthouse Project promised,
!! -
Spud 31 says:
Congrats and best of luck!
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admin says:
Thanks so much, everyone. Very kind of you to reach out. My first stories for AOL should be next week and I hope to have some requests for NYI player interviews fulfilled then as well. Thanks again. Enjoy the rest of the summer…CB
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NHP FF says:
Congrats, best of luck, one more blog to check while I’m “working”
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Brian says:
Congrads CB, just bookmarked Fanhouse, hopefully PB will find a new home.
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isles99 says:
its good to see you have found a new home man. hope it all works out. and can someone please send me the link to aol fanshouse?
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Scoundrel says:
Wonderful news! Best of luck with the new gig, Chris.
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Good luck CB. As another transplanted LI’er living in the VA suburbs of DC, it isn’t a bad place to be if you end up moving here.
Hopefully, PB lives on…
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Frank James says:
Outstanding.
Well deserved.
It will be great having a fresh voice out there.
I expect to see you rise dramatically as a national voice on hockey.
Thanks for the site.
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Good for you, you worked hard to give the Islanders fans something great this year, now go get famous…
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Frank nyc says:
Thats awesome Cb. I have been a reader of fanhouse for years now. Looking forward to reading more of your writing in a new context. Hope PB stays a live but congrats on your new gig
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Sab says:
Congrats Chris!!! All the best! I look forward to reading more!!
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Blizzard says:
….jusr remember where you came from…..lol!!!!
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Brian says:
Congrats CB! Your Fanhouse column will be a daily must read just like PB has become for me.
Stumpy32 – I remember the days of isles-list. Too bad that one day it just disappeared. Back in 95-99 I went to a bunch of Isles-Caps games in DC when we would buy group sales tickets with people from that list.
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Isle_in_LA says:
That is awesome news CB! We are all very proud of you. Please don’t forget about us! Best of luck.
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CMB says:
I am very happy for you.
Best of luck with your new endeavor—and retaining your old one.
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Pete M says:
Great news Chris. I figured you’d land on your feet. Best of luck and look forward to your continued success both on AOL and here on PB.
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STP says:
That’s awesome, Chris. For you, your family, and us readers.
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Dr. Generosity says:
Congrats Chris!
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Potvin5 says:
Spectacular news CB! It’s nice to know that hard work and dedication can still pay off in this world. Your passion for this great game and our team, your knowledge of hockey and access to insiders have made coming to PB a daily “must read”. Fanhouse readers will find out soon enough. We have the best kept secret in the hockey universe. Good luck in the new role and good luck in locking up support for PB to live on!
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double W says:
Great to hear CB. I look forward to your appearance on HNIC sattelite Hotstove!
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C.J. says:
Chris,
The only mandate from Islander fans is that you continue to DO US PROUD!!!!Help put NYI and JOHN TAVARES on the map. They need every bit of positive publicity they can get.
My personal request…. 15% of your articles are focussed on NYI.
Thoughts?Best of luck!!!!
-CJ
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Great news! Step 1: COMPLETE! #1 signing of the summer!
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Dyingfour#5 says:
Way to go Chris! Best of luck, and thanks for being upfront with us. AOL just signed on a winner.
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chip saunders says:
Like everyone else,congratulations,your talent will shine through nationally.
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Strummer's Army says:
Proud of you Chris! I told you, you found what you are meant to be doing.
I believe now things will easily fall into place for you to keep Point Blank going. Just please no stories on how Sean Avery is trying to overcome him issues and be a good guy because ya know…..he’s scum. -
VanVoorhees says:
Welcome to Virgina Chris!
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Kevin27nyi says:
Congrats chris!
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Isles6 says:
Congratsulations Chris…but from a selfish standpoint, and I am sure that I am not alone on this, I hope you get the opportunity to find out if you can do both. The day this blog ends, will be a sad one, but you already know that. We are all grateful for every day it continues.
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Dan from Hicksville says:
Great news and best of luck Chris! You have just convinced me that good thing DO happen to good people. I look forward to going out to BOTH sites on a daily basis.
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WTG Chris, I am so glad that you got something that will make you happy! I wish you nothing but luck and success! You deserve it mate!
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CB: Congradulations on your new job !!!! Islanders mgmt lose is Fanhouse/Isles fans gain. Welcome to Va. thru AOL
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Angelos says:
Best of luck CB!! Keep PB alive!
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Al L says:
This is a wonderfully deserved break for you,Chris! It is a damn shame and unfathomable lack of understanding that the Islanders organization would place such little value on the love,passion and bridge you have been between the fan and the Franchise. The fact that they have decided against continuing such an important investment in a vehicle such as Pointblank gives one the impression that the mindset of viability of the NY Islanders is on shaky ground. I have little doubt you will find a sponsor for this in valuable Blog with the wisdom and good sense Dey and the Islanders evidently lack.
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Todd Aronovitch says:
Best of luck, Chris. Thank you for everything.
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Zarley Z says:
Congrats and good luck Chris.
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dp says:
Wishing you all the best on the new gig. I just bookmarked fanhouse, looking forward to reading your work there and I’m still hoping that some corporate entity somewhere realizes what pointblank can do for them.
Cheers -
Barbara says:
Just added FANHOUSE to my favorites,SOOOO happy for you. Seriously, I won’t read any Ranger$ are Stanley Cup contender stories. Other than that, you are it!
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Steve says:
Congratulations Chris.
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db says:
Great news, CB! Best of luck!
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Staten Islander says:
Certainly great news on such a bleak day. Good luck Chris
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Mike says:
congrats!
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Jeff Kuntz says:
Chris, the only people happier for you than than we are … are your family, and the sports editor at Newsday.
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pablo says:
I wish you all the best, their is always a place for great talent.
God Bless
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thomaskarl says:
Congrats CB! It is only just that we be compelled to share you with the rest of the hockey lovin world.
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MT says:
Congrats! Looking forward to your pieces
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JT says:
Congrats CB! I will be looking forward more great reading, not just about the isles, but now for the whole league!
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The best news I’ve heard all week. Now, on to finding PB a home. You deserve all the good things.
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Jimmy says:
Did someone say Isles defacto spy scout?!?!?
You’re sure to come across insight into other team’s prospects, tensions w/ current players – please remember your roots and pass this information along to your good buddy Garth.
Seriously though – CONGRATS!! Much deserved.
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Newf says:
WOW! Great job. Another website to bookmark and read with my coffee at work in the mornings.
Keep up the great posts and I have my fingers crossed with legs, arms and eyes to see you at both PB and AOL.Go Isles!!!
Newf -
Neil says:
Congrats CB. Well deserved. You know, you should have called when you visited AOL, I live right near the campus.
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Willis says:
How exciting! I hope you enjoy it, congrats.
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billy says:
Congrats CB, so u will be covering the whole nhl and not just the isles with the fanhouse?
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Isles fan in Scotland says:
A big congrats Chris!! NHL fanhouse has a new reader!!
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hathead68 says:
Congrats CB!! Just bookmarked Fanhouse. Next up hopefully a new home for IPB. Amazing how this site has really made us passionate Islanders fans more like an Islanders fans “family”.
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25yearfan says:
CB – I can’t believe you didn’t set an October 3 deadline…. LOTS OF LUCK & SUCCESS IN THE NEW VENTURE! 25
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german islesfan says:
Congrats Chris!
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art says:
CB best of luck! You were never a homer but if you are no longer part of PB { I hope you are if you want it] I think you will be a true independent commentator of the Isles and all the other NHL teams. This new gig will expect you to call them as you see them without the concern of implied censorship.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Great News Chris!!!!
Getting a home for Point Blank too will be a great Daily Double!
I have a good feeling about you working out something for Point Blank … hopefully someday it will get so big there will be a 30 minute cable TV version of it on SNY
Congrats again!!!
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Chris Mc says:
Congrats CB! AOL is definitely lucky to have you on board. Nothing but the best and hope to see Point Blank alive for a long time to come.
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Plus, you got a little shout out on Newsday.com from Neil Best on your new gig!
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teddy says:
Go getem tiger
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Hubie McDonough says:
Congratulations CB! Well deserved!
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Viper says:
Congrats, Chris! Great to see your career is taking off again! Very well deserved. Fanhouse has a new avid reader in me. Please keep PB alive and well if you can somehow find the time… We’re with you in your new career!
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19404ever says:
Let’s go Botta, **-***
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pointblank rocks says:
hard work pays off CB good job
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CrackheadTheo says:
Nice work CB! You da man!
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Rob says:
Congratulations Chris, Best of luck!
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Dan Sec 303 says:
Congrats and best of luck.
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BringBackNyles says:
Congrats..best of luck….remember us Isles when you do the national stories!
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BrianAlbany says:
Congrats CB! I’m going to check out Fanhouse for the first time now…Don’t forget about us Isles fans, haha…
Thanks for everything as always and I’m still keeping my fingers crossed about PB…
GO ISLES!
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isles08025 says:
Good Luck Chris
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Congrats – good to see you making moves! Isles really made a mistake not keeping your services and getting the most out of them. I just can’t find it in me to think that they truly value their die hard fans.
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Will C. says:
That message sounded like CB is a Rangers beat writer now. HOPE NOT! Yikes…..
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beatlebailey says:
Great News CB! Never read fanhouse before but I will be now. Congrats to you for taking care of business. Now please find a way to keep PB going.
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Based on my experience with Fanhouse over the past few years, you WILL have to become an unabashed raving lunatic fan of the Capitals and worship the ground Ovechkin walks upon.
But hey, whatever pays the bills.
Congratulations Chris Botta.
HAVE FUN and run with it.
From two times away.
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dose says:
“Can I do both? Absolutely. Do I want to do both? Absolutely.”
all of us who shudder at the thought of losing this islander-fan town square know where your heart is, even it doesn’t work out.
cb is a mensch. -
congrats to you chris, in today’s econony. Its good to see someone getting good news. You deserve it. Hard work pays off. I’m glad someone saw it.
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a REAL hockey fan says:
…Congrats on the gig Chris!
Funny thing is that was just reading AOL fanhouse yesterday and i read it about 2 days a week or so, but ill make sure i read it more!! Good luck and BIG BIG THANKS for trying to keep point blank running! (which we all selfishly want lol)
See on the board Chris….
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JoeRiverside says:
Congrats Chris. It’s not easy making a living from writing/reporting. Your hard work and talent has paid off. Best Wishes.
Joe -
Obs says:
Grats CB, I’ll be bookmarking your new site. I look forward to a heavy dose of Isles news nationally now.
*Cheers* -
Greetings CB! They had better put your picture to left with the other columnists. Judging by the number of comments on their blogs, they need our support over there. I already put it in my favs. Eagerly awaiting to see your mug over there along with a classic CB blog to go with it. Again Congrats! Thanks for keeping IPB ALIVE! It’s the best of both worlds for all. The rest of the hockey world deserves to enjoy CB, even if there not all Islanders. GOD BLESS you and your family!
Jonathan -
Joe says:
great job cb
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what happened?
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Ok. So I just experienced life without IPB. Didn’t like it one bit.
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Whew! Back online!
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Jeff in Oyster Bay says:
Your hockey knowledge reigns supreme.
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Cary says:
Couldn’t happen to a better sports blogger! Congrats CB and we all really really hope you find a way to make PB work as well.
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Pete says:
Chris, congrats on the AOL gig. Let us know where we can send our praise to the “Powers That Be” at AOL.
You got quite the following here, make sure you link your AOL Fanhouse stories here, so people will click, read, and comment.
Can definitely see you being one of the most-read columnists there. Just keep us in the loop here.
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
Congratulations Chris! ( ‘ :
Hopefully there will still be room for some IPB too! ( ‘ :
Congratulations Chris!