A New Face in Smashville

What's up, Smashville?!
My name is Emma Lingan, and I am thrilled to be the new Senior Content Manager and Beat Reporter for your Nashville Predators.
First things first - it is truly an honor to hold this position. My job is to be a trustworthy voice for the team, the person to whom you can turn for information and insight you can't get anywhere else, and the great responsibility that comes with this role is not lost on me. Yes, I work for the team - but I also work for you, the fans. And I look forward to getting to know you and learning what kinds of content you like to see.

A little bit about me: I'm a retired ballerina with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in Spanish translation and interpreting. (My background just screams hockey writer, right? Bear with me...) I got my start in the sports industry working in baseball - in fact, this will be the first time in my career that I'm not covering baseball in any capacity - but I've been a hockey fan for as long as I can remember.

I'm a Washington, D.C., native, but my parents are both from western Pennsylvania - so my hockey fandom is rooted in a certain NHL team that will not be named. After I graduated from college, I moved to Raleigh, N.C., where I ultimately got a part-time job working with the Carolina Hurricanes. I spent the previous two years managing NHL and MLB content for The Athletic (while still doing some freelance work for the Hurricanes).
Now, after years of wearing just about every hat in the sports media industry - media relations, PR, analytics, social media, sports information, content management, graphic design, photography, videography, photo editing, AV production and more - my dream of covering an NHL team full time has come true. And I'm determined to make the most of it.
But I can't do it without your help. I'll be bringing you all the latest updates and insight from practices, morning skates and, of course, games - but communication is a two-way street. I would love to hear from you on Twitter (@emma_lingan) about the kinds of stories you want to see and how I can best enrich your experience as Preds fans. Also, I'm new to Nashville and will gladly take any and all recommendations for the city's best restaurants, bars, gyms, coffee shops, dog sitters, nail salons, you name it. I'm all ears.
In addition to the writing element for NashvillePredators.com, I look forward to connecting with you via other avenues, be it audio, video, social media or any other medium. I'm hungry to be a part of it all.
Again, it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Smashville community. I have embraced this team, this city and this fanbase into my heart, and it is my sincere hope that you will do the same with me. I can't wait to get to work and make you all proud.
I look forward to seeing your smiling faces at Bridgestone Arena - and elsewhere around Nashville - this season.
Until then, let's go Preds!