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About – Dirk Hoag of OnTheForecheck.com

Dirk Hoag started writing about hockey online back in the mid-1990’s, for sites such as the (long-gone) In the Crease and e-Sports.com. In 2005, he started On the Forecheck as a general NHL blog, which became, over
the course of time, dedicated to Nashville Predators coverage and statistical analysis of the league at large.

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He lives in Nolensville, Tennessee, with his wife Amy, three kids, two dogs, and some really not-so stinky hockey equipment in the garage, the remnants of a sputtering rec-league career that refuses to die!

You can follow him on Twitter (@Forechecker), email him at the.forechecker@gmail.com, or view his profile at LinkedIn.

About OnTheForecheck.com

After a short stint as part of Kukla’s Korner, OtF joined of the SB Nation community of sports blogs in February 2009. OnTheForecheck.com offers a rich environment for keeping up with Nashville Predators news, debating ongoing questions about the team, or just enjoying games together in the ever-lively Game Threads.

Some unique features you can find at OtF each season are the Alternative NHL Awards (highlighting the most-penalized players in the game), the NHL Super Schedule (which compiles the miles traveled and number of back-to-back games each team faces), and up-to-date coverage of the Nashville Predators using statistical analysis tools which have been developed in the hockey blogging world over the last several years.

Thanks in large part to a growing editorial staff, OTF features Previews, open discussion threads, and recaps for every Nashville Predators game, including video highlights and advanced statistical results.

You can keep up with OtF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

Notes, Quotes & Awards

August 2012: Took 3rd Place in the Tennessean’s Toast of Music City Awards for Best Blog.

October 2011: Selected as Writer’s Choice for Best Sports Blog in the Best of Nashville 2011 issue of the Nashville Scene:

Dirk Hoag’s Predators-centric blog OnTheForecheck.com is the crème de la crème of a boom crop of local sports blogs. Aided ably by a handful of merry prankster assistant editors, Hoag does yeoman’s work at OTF: twice-daily news dumps, statistical analysis, game recaps. But as always, a blog is only as good as its readers, and the comment threads are strong distillations of the best (and sometimes, worst) of fandom: rollicking non sequitur discussions, cheers, jeers and in-jokes. OTF is a family – with all the baggage that carries – and it’s at its best when Poppa Dirk lets the kids get away with a little mischief. J.R. LIND

OTF also serves as a resource for local sports media members, providing updates, analysis, and reaction from the Nashville Predators fan base.

“OTF is a must read for me every day. As a member of the media I have used OTF for show research & breaking news while live on the air.”
Charlie Saunier — Producer, Nashville Predators Radio Network

December 2009: OtF was named a Top 10 NHL blog by Sports Media Challenge, which monitors sports blogs and social media conversations on behalf of teams and leagues:

The Nashville Predators may be one of the newer NHL teams, but that hasn’t kept On the Forecheck from moving into the top 10. Dirk Hoag consistently writes multiple posts each day, giving Predator fans fresh content throughout the day.

As of August 2012, ranked in Technorati’s Top 100 Sports blogs (#52), and Top 100 Hockey blogs (#4).

Wikio also ranks OtF highly among hockey and general sports blogs:

Wikio - Top Blogs - Hockey Wikio - Top Blogs - Sports

If you’re walking around the concourse at a Nashville Predators game, just look for the #35 Forechecker jersey, and say hi!

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