Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The NHL partners with Facebook

The NHL recently announced that it had integrated Facebook with NHL.com. And while that initially sounded like a cool idea, it quickly became apparent that it wasn't all it was hyped up to be. All the site had done was add some of those annoying "like" buttons to various pages. No big deal.

Or was it? My sources within the NHL's interactive marketing team have told me that last week's launch was just an appetizer. Very soon, NHL fans will be able to enjoy the full Facebook experience.

Here are just a few examples of features that will be rolling out soon:

  • Upload your photos from your drunken all-night bar crawl; Facebook will automatically sort through and tag Shane O'Brien in all of them.

  • Fans can now post a message on the league's wall, then get slammed face first into it from behind by Marian Hossa.

  • Connect with NHL teams by clicking the "Become a fan" button (note: button no longer available in the southeast United States).

  • You will receive an endless and annoying stream of Mafia Wars invitations from Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn.

  • I'm not sure, but I think only Leaf fans are seeing this one:


  • The league will automatically search through your photo album and fine you for every headshot.

  • The Facebook messaging system will now detect any hockey-related emails you send and automatically forward them to Paul Kelly.

  • In an effort to keep up with the NHL on the cutting edge, the CFL has announced an integration deal with Friendster.

  • Help the Washington Capitals stay in peak physical condition by playing the world's most popular online game: Pharm-Ville

  • And finally, remember those "like" buttons on the NHL Teams page? Soon, they'll be replaced with specific buttons for each team. Here's a screen grab from the beta version:

The NHL on Facebook


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21 comments:

  1. Ha! The "Like" button integration is a sweet idea. But shouldn't Calgary's read "offer trade"?

    Great stuff as usual.

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  2. I just shared this on Facebook.

    I loved the headshots bit.

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  3. I don't know how you continue to do it post after post, but pure gold again

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  4. Is it really possible to just click a button and forget the Wild exist? That would make life so much easier...

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  5. Good stuff in general, but the photo tagging and CFL digs were genius level.

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  6. Brilliant. Especially "Your first round draft picks: Reconnect with them."

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  7. Fans can now post a message on the league's wall, then get slammed face first into it from behind by Marian Hossa.

    that's some quality material right there

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  8. I laughed out loud at the Mafia Wars bit, and then cried because of how depressingly accurate the Oilers button is.

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  9. Classic again, DGB. I was just thinking about the Facebook feed you made last year and was wondering if you'd do something like that again.

    Obviously you read my mind.

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  10. Someone get this man an award!

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  11. Hilarious as always!

    There are always a few gem's that stand out from the rest. This is the line that got me today: "You will receive an endless and annoying stream of Mafia Wars invitations from Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn".

    I may or may not have spat my coffee all over my computer after reading that. Thanks!!

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  12. I might be cheering for Washington opponents tonite, just for the fun after reading this.

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  13. man, you are naked funny! every time!

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  14. Pure brilliance!

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  15. Isn't that an old Canucks logo? CONSPIRACY!

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  16. Excellent stuff. Class humor man. I shall share this on Facebook in honor of the post.

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  17. DURNO!

    http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8472263

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  18. Edmonton Oilers "demand a trade from" as an Oiler fan I dont know wether to laugh or to cry at that.

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