As I was combing through various Anaheim Ducks-related articles for this post the name Eric Stephens consistently came up on search engines and social media investigations. With just about 30 years of sports journalism experience, it was immediately evident upon reading Stephens’s work why he is generating such high traffic.
Eric Stephens – Bringing Stories to Life
One particular article on Patrick Eaves stood out most during my research. In a piece written in late June of this year, Stephens brought readers up to speed on the life of the current Ducks winger who played only two games with the club during the 2017-18 season due to what was determined at the time to be Guillain-Barre syndrome. It turned out that the initial October diagnosis was not in fact the rare neurological disorder but rather “post-viral syndrome”.
Now Eaves is eyeing a potential return to the Ducks lineup as early as training camp of the 2018-19 season, which is just a few weeks away.
Stephens gave the accounts of Mike and Beth Eaves, whose worlds were rocked by the sudden decline in health of their son. Mike Eaves described how difficult it was to see his son struggling to do simple tasks like walking to the beach. In a 2016-17 season split between Dallas and Anaheim, Eaves recorded 51 points in 79 games, good enough for the Ducks to resign the then 33-year-old to a three-year deal.
Along with the words of Mike Eaves, Stephens incorporated quotes from a few former teammates and current friends Jamie Benn, Bryan Boyle and Dominic Moore, who had nothing but good things to say about Eaves, depicting him as a hardworking, genuine person.
By taking thoughts from family, friends and teammates, Stephens gave the reader a powerful synopsis of the emotional roller coaster of a year that has been in the life of Patrick Eaves and his family.
More Than Just a Game
Stories that show the human side of the game are just as important as those that dive into point percentages and plus/minus ratings. Journalists willing to dabble with both styles of writing bring a unique element to their brand that some are either unwilling or incapable of replicating. Seeing that Stephen incorporates both of these aspects into his writing makes him a writer most certainly worth following.
While Anaheim might not be a market that rivals a big-time hockey city like Toronto, the quality of work from journalists such as Stephens ensures that readers always have the coverage they deserve.
Exclusive Insight
Along with on-ice and human-interest stories, Stephens is able to use his connections and reputation to generate unique reads. For example, in a recent article, Stephens was brought on a tour of the Ducks’ soon-to-be new practice facility in Irvine, California. When all is said and done (if all goes to plan, by December) the complex will have four ice surfaces that will be used by local high schools and youth leagues in addition to being a state of the art practice location for the NHL club.
As someone who is interested in not only on-ice action but also efforts from NHL teams to grow the game in their local community, stories like this one are of particular interest. It is encouraging to find journalists like Stephens hard at work to bring fans stories that encapsulate all aspects of a franchise, and I recommend that all Ducks fans become familiar with his work.
You can find Eric Stephens’s writing at The Athletic by clicking here and signing up. You can find him on twitter @icemancometh.
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