Second City Hockey 2.0

This is Dave Melton, the site manager for Second City Hockey, a hockey blog that's been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for over 15 years -- and we need your help in keeping this place alive.

On January 20, Vox Media (our parent company) informed us that our site would no longer be "managed or monetized." That deadline has since been moved to the end of March, which will mean the end of payment to our contributors. After a month of negotiating, however, we've been told by Vox that we'll be given the Second City Hockey brand: meaning our specific home on the internet isn't going anywhere, but we may have to do a lot of remodeling around the house. Once April arrives, we'll be going independent.

And that's why we're here. Our monthly budget of $2,500 was spread around among six people who carried the torch that made SCH a go-to place on the internet for Blackhawks fans. Now, as we transition to an independent future without any corporate oversight, we humbly come to the SCH community asking for help in continuing to take care of the people who've kept this website going. Additionally, the money we raise will help cover the costs associated with our next venture, including a new publishing platform, photo licenses and a slew of other logistical items that are now our responsibility.

We thank everyone who's interacted with the site in any capacity at any point over the last 15 years, and as we prepare for this new version of Second City Hockey, we thank you for whatever you can offer to help us embark on this new path.

[April 2 Update] First off, it is hard to accurately express with words how thankful we all are for the donations that have already come through. We weren't sure if our site was going to exist once Vox's decision came down, but through the help we've received from the SCH community, our new site is up and running. We have more work to do and any additional assistance that you can offer us will help us continue with this project through the summer and into next season -- and seasons beyond that.

Once again, thank you for your help and we look forward to exploring these new roads with paths paved through your donations.