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I鈥檝e tried my best to find a clever way to write this.

I鈥檝e remembered the most memorable TV finales. Songs like Crowded House鈥檚 鈥淒on鈥檛 Dream It鈥檚 Over鈥� have popped into my head. But that鈥檚 too cheesy.

What I鈥檓 trying to say is today is my last with the Bemidji Pioneer.

I鈥檓 handing the sports editor reins over to Micah Friez, who is way more than capable and knows more about Bemidji sports than I do. You鈥檒l be in good hands, Bemidji fans.

What drew me to the area was the chance to cover hockey, whether it be high school or college. I had the privilege to witness plenty of notable games in both.

During my five-plus years here, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to cover a wide variety of sports. Where else can you cover as much curling as in Bemidji?

But perhaps most memorably, my time here was bookended by deep tournament runs by the Bemidji High 歪歪漫画 boys hockey team in 2016 and the Bemidji State men鈥檚 hockey team in 2021.

Getting a taste of the state tournament during the Lumberjacks鈥� run was unforgettable. I was spoiled with such a trip in my first year on the job, especially considering how BHS had ended a 29-year tournament drought only a year prior.

Another drought was snapped at the end of my tenure this past March when the Beavers were selected to their first NCAA Tournament since 2010. The team was more than deserving of the tourney bid, and proved it by knocking off top-seeded Wisconsin in the first round.

In the years in between, I witnessed a long list of noteworthy sports happenings. Among them:

Covering deep section tournament runs by the BHS baseball team in 2016 and 2017, including visits to St. John鈥檚 University and its beautiful campus.

Being along for the ride when the Lumberjacks boys soccer team captured its first section title in 2016.

Seeing Grace White lead the Red Lake girls basketball team to the 2017 state tournament while she became the first Warrior to sign with a Division I program.

Watching BSU women鈥檚 soccer earn back-to-back bids to the NCAA Tournament, including the program鈥檚 first-ever appearance in 2017 and its first tourney win in 2018.

Following the Cass Lake-Bena boys basketball team to state in 2018 en route to a semifinal appearance at the Target Center.

Freezing in subzero temperatures at a magnificent Hockey Day Minnesota 2019, highlighted by Dillon Eichstadt鈥檚 overtime goal against Michigan Tech.

Being on hand for two Bemidji State women鈥檚 hockey upset wins over top-ranked Wisconsin in consecutive seasons in 2019 and 2020.

Enjoying homecoming wins -- and postgame celebrations in Lake Bemidji -- by BSU football, most memorably a last-minute drive to beat Augustana in 2019.

Last but not least, seeing the BHS boys tennis team鈥檚 recent section title run was particularly moving after longtime coach Mark Fodness passed away last year.

I鈥檒l miss many things about Bemidji, from all of the coworkers I befriended over the years, to the picturesque scenery of northern Minnesota. Winters could sometimes be like living on the moon, but leaving during the middle of a beautiful summer makes it tougher to say goodbye.

I鈥檇 like to thank the sports information folks at Bemidji State, including Brad Folkestad, Collin Boyles and Tyler Christiansen, for helping to make my job easier. I鈥檇 also like to thank Troy Hendricks at Bemidji High 歪歪漫画, the many coaches and athletes from the schools I crossed paths with over the years, and the friends I made at Lakeland News, KBUN and the Beaver Radio Network.

I鈥檒l soon be headed back to my home state of Illinois, but there鈥檒l always be a special place in my heart for the North Star State.