Written Task: How do you feel about hockey's social media culture? Specifically with regards to top players in the world. A common complaint is that the NHL does not have the star power of a league like the NBA, and that the players are much more boring. Do you think this ties in to social media, and the unwillingness many players to engage beyond the officially sanctioned opportunities? Is it unrelated? If so, how do you think the league should go about making their stars more marketable and exciting? Does it even matter? (150+ words)
Honestly, I don't think the issue with hockey's social media culture is the players, I think it is the fans. Well, with the Hockey Canada stuff, it's likely hockey culture as a whole. It can be full of some pretty nasty stuff, and I'm kind of glad I never played at a level high enough to experience the worst of it, just some wonky views from more rural players. While there is less star power for the NHL compared to the NBA for example, I don't think it is as much the players' fault as it is the league's. There are some good personalities in the league still. I think it just might be a little more obvious because our big players like McDavid are so so bland.
Part of it is likely PR work though, if your player is a raging homophobe or something, the agent is likely gonna do as much as they can to keep that from getting out. I just know it is a thing with hockey players, not just that, but everything. I think there is a culture that's been around that is just more professional, silent, sportsmanlike, along those lines. Then that kind of stuff is just a reason it stays that way.
overdoo
