The marriage of Twitter and sports cannot be more perfect or necessary in today’s day and age. Sports have become faster, players arguably more skilled than ever, and personalities younger — and maybe even more entertaining — than ever been before.It seems almost criminal in this day and age for both casual and die-hard fans alike to be denied access of real-time social platforms when it comes to their home team.
There’s just something more intimate and enjoyable about seeing athletes in a multidimensional perspective, even if to just browse their day-to-day musings, no matter how mundane the task.The bottom line is that Twitter is awesome, and unlike the Luddite masses of professional baseball, the NHL has consistently embraced new ideas during the post-lockout era.
A sport that plays younger brother to the Big Three, some of the best characters in the league may fly under the radar, but it’s easy to see how these big-time names have earned hockey the reputation of possessing some of the best personalities in all of professional sports. Below is a list of the top 13 NHL Twitter Accounts. Some of these you are already following — and some of them you might have missed. Not all of these are current athletes, but their influence on the league and the sport itself can’t be overlooked.
13 NHL Twitter Accounts To Follow
Paul Bissonette
“The only thing I miss about having a girlfriend is being able to give dutch ovens.”
A fourth line grinder for Phoenix, Paul Bissonette is the most entertaining and open NHL personalty on Twitter today. BizNasty shows his passion for the game and life itself throughout each hilarious and ridiculous tweet that comes from the guy’s fingertips. Huge tip of the cap to Coyotes PR for letting him run wild and letting us get all of the Pearls of Bizdom we can wrap our brains around.
Jeremy Roenick
“Another brutal brutal no goal call by the refs in bruins/buff game. These guys do something incredible every night. #joke”
An engaging Hall of Famer and NHL analyst who continues to have an influence in the league, Roenick is definitely not one to beat around the bush, especially on Twitter. The beauty of Roenick’s ramblings is how genuine they are, whether they are praising the skills of another or calling out instigating fans on his feed. Reonick still does it all, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.
Greg Wyshinski
“I appreciate the Red Wings allowing Datsyuk to have knee surgery as the Blackhawks announce Toews is injured. Seems only fair.”
Greg Wyshinski is no athlete, but instead serves as editor of the Puck Daddy blog, arguably the best site for hockey content on the web. Whyshinki is over 51 thousand followers strong, and for good reason. Puck Daddy is the most timely and entertaining breaking news source for hockey fans. Whether it’s poking fun at star players or showcasing his ability to keep his finger on the pulse of all NHL markets, it becomes apparent pretty quickly that this man DOES NOT SLEEP.
Dave Lozo
“I think the ‘Potvin sucks’ chant is silly and worn out, but to be fair, the guy hasn’t scored a goal in almost 25 years. Get it going, man.”
Lozo is a writer for NHL.com and manages to win over his audience by peppering his hockey knowledge with consistent hilarious tweets and observations. Lozo, who also covers New York Rangers home games and provides live play-by-play tweets from the press box, is proof that even some guys behind the scenes at the NHL can be just as charismatic as the guys on the ice.
Ilya Bryzgalov
“Dolphin tail heartwarming movie.This is the way the world should be.”
Who can forget the outspoken and quirky Russian goaltender that became an overnight sensation thanks in part to his stage on this year’s HBO 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic? Ilya Brizgalov, made famous for his ridiculous ramblings and overall weirdness (search YouTube for ‘Why you heff to be mad?’), offers insight to existentialism and other philosophical quandaries. Even if he finds trouble articulating such matters, it’s safe to say that Brygalov’s twitter will still be worth following if his Philadelphia debut continues to implode.
Jeff Marek
“Jordan Staal fined $2,500 for boarding Braydon Coburn. Again, still waiting to see what you have to do to get a $1,000 fine. #alwaysthemax”
The host of Hockey Central on SportsNet, Jeff Marek is basically a hockey encyclopedia.
If you need to name a backup goaltender within the 1995-96 season, he is most-definitely your man. Marek is definitely worth following, and one would assume a Canadian national treasure.
Scott Hartnell
“Epic #hartnelldown tripped over the red line! #almostbrokenneck Big win for the boys tonight.”
Hartsy is a gritty and skilled Philly forward who you love to have on your team but hate to play against. The 29-year-old has transformed his inadvertent niche for slips and falls into a social media-fueled charity using Twitter to host the #Hartnelldown campaign, donating money every time he falls down skating during a contest. What began as a social media inside joke has gained a cult-like following around Philadelphia, with the birth of hartnelldown.com tracking each spill throughout the season, and ultimately donating money to a charity of his choice.
George Parros
“All I want for Christmas is another season of “Flavor of Love” …who’s with me?”
The “Minister of Moustachery” proves that he is once again more than just a follically-gifted mug with a pair of fists. Parros can be seen showing his love for board sports and sharing some excellent photos with his followers.
What the oft overlooked Princeton graduate really displays is an in-depth look into his personal life and fun personality.
Kevin Weekes
“#Congrats to the #RedWings and their Fans, 21 straight barely happens in minor hockey, let alone the #NHL #Crayyyyy”
Another retired player, Kevin Weekes offers some awesome insight into the game in all areas — not just goaltending. He’s not afraid to respond to followers or even reveal which trainer worked him to the point of vomiting.
Weekes is a great advocate for the game, and continues to spread the love as an anchor for the NHL network.
Patrick Kane
“Got named to breakaway challenge. You guys got any good ideas for me?”
The first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Kaner is one of the most electric players in the game today. At 23, the kid has a Stanley Cup under his belt, and has yet to dip below 70 points in four NHL seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks.
If you could keep your eye on one player to see his career explode for years to come, this would be it. He’s no stranger to the party life, either — making him all the more fun to follow. But be patient, Kane is a twitter rookie.
Brian Burke
“At the AHL ASG in Atlantic City! Just finished playing in the staff game. I KNEW there was a reason why I retired from playing!”
When you think of historic sports franchises, the Toronto Maple Leafs have to come to mind. The traditional Original Six club holds the esoteric honor of being named the most valuable hockey team in the NHL. Toronto has 11 Cup victories, and GM Brian Burke mans his own personal Twitter account in search of number 12. What is so cool about this? Everything!
Burke has openly utilized a whole new channel where he can connect directly with a fan base with absolutely no censorship. It’s a beautiful thing, and one that many in his position shy away from. Burke may prove all on his own that the best PR trickles down from a man who is humble, yet passionate about his product. Take note, NHL.
Tyler Seguin
“Let’s go pats!!!! I want to see what bostons like after we win another championship.#superbowl”
Oh, to be young and on top of the world. Seguin is making quite a name for himself in Beantown.
At 19, Seguin posted a modest 22-point campaign to help lift the Bruins over the Vancouver Canucks and win the Stanley Cup Finals during his rookie season. Follow, read, envy. This kid right here is living the life.
Paulina Gretzky
“That awkward moment when your best friend shows up to your house & your singing Mariah Carey Fantasy to a hair brush..are we still friends?”
Let’s just say that the best thing Gretzky ever gave us wasn’t a 92 goal season in 1981-82.
Are we missing anyone from the “must follow” list of NHL Twitter Accounts? Let us know in the comments below or send out a tweet to @sportsnetworker
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