Blogs Outside the Box

Prompted by stumbling upon a very interesting blog by Anaheim’s Director of Media and Publications, Adam Brady, I decided to spend my sick day going through all the NHL.com team sites to see what sort of blogs the other teams have. It was a very interesting assignment for me. My husband calls this sort of thing for me “home work,” which is nicer than what he says about my actual work that I bring home to do on the couch. That he has deemed “monkey work” because “….any monkey could probably do it.” Nice….
So what did my ill-spent time uncover?
Anaheim: What a trip! Adam Brady not only writes, he takes photos, does audio interviews and live blogs. Something tells me his job is not that difficult if he has all the time to do this. However, it definitely brings the game to the fans in a way unlike everyone else. Interesting -- for a guy in a suit.
Atlanta: Their blog page says it is under construction.
Boston: Nada
Buffalo: “Beyond the Boards” by Brian Wheeler, Website guy. No live game blog
Calgary: There is a group of blogs on there. One from their “Content Manager” Mike Board, one from their radio guy, one from Heather Mullen, moderator of their fan forum, and 3 from what looks like fans.
Carolina: Has three blogs set up by staff members, and it doesn’t look like they update them that much. The “Guy Behind the Guy”, their media director Mike Sundheim keeps his blog pretty much up-to-date, but it is bland.
Chicago: Nothing in the regular section, but there was a blog menu in the message board section. It said that menu is disabled though. (Hey! Get a web designer!)
Colorado: I don’t see any on any of the menus.
Columbus: Broadcaster blogs, and one is Jeff Rimer. So I guess they’re getting more out of their employees.
Dallas: “Razor with an Edge,” I have no idea who this guy is or if he works for the Stars or not. It’s like walking into someone’s therapy session. I was so confused, but so drawn in… it was frightening.
Detroit: Blogs are part of the message board only
Edmonton: Has some sort of photo blog thing from a camera phone. I don’t know if it’s one phone, or if they are asking for submissions.
Florida: Looks like they had something called “Goldie’s Blog” last season, and it’s still up on the web with an entry from 4/7/07. Who is in charge of your website?
Los Angeles: Has a blog that is very short and “mysterious.” I found it more like “confusing” to me.
Minnesota: Has a live game blog by Jamie MacDonald Web Content employee.
Montreal: If they have one, I can’t find it. And Yes!!! I went in under the ENGLISH portion of their site!
Nashville: There is a Blog forum on their message board, but it doesn’t look like it’s been used in awhile.
New Jersey: Nope, not a chance. However, there is a fan mail section. Oh wait; they all have fan mail sections.
Rangers: Well, we know there a 1000 blogs out there, but none is linked to their site. Probably so they have more room for Avery‘s head and Jagr‘s butt.
Islanders: You can’t swing a graphite stick without hitting one of our blogs. And I couldn’t be happier!
Ottawa: There are player blogs, a blog by Gord Wilson, their radio guy, and one from “The Front Office.” Because it IS the “FRONT” office, it’s not updated often. I guess they have a few other things to do first.
Philadelphia: “On the Fly” their PR blog,
Phoenix: Darren Pang has his own blog on their site. How many hours DOES this man find in a day?
Pittsburgh: Not that I can see, but what the heck do they need? They have Sidney and a sold out arena. No one needs to read anything; they’re already at the damn games!
San Jose: They have two. One is from their broadcasters and one weekly blog is by player Macel Goc. Their PR guy, Tom Holy doesn’t seem to have a blog. However, he does have a bobble head. Seems like a neat idea…. If you like bobble heads that look like insurance sales men.
St. Louis: For some reason, they gave their Mascot Louie a blog page. Uh… ok. I wonder how many hits THAT gets.
Tampa Bay: Oh my god! They have five. I don’t even want to go through them to find out what they are… I’m still staring at a photo of Vinny. Focus… focus…
Toronto: Of course, they have three blogs from WELL KNOWN names, Mike Ulmer, John Bartlett and Joe Bowen. Wait, do I know these names because I listened to Canadian radio for three years?
Vancouver: They have two player blogs and five fan blogs.

Ok… that is what is out there. Therefore, as you can see, the blogs have it. Some of them seem interesting reads and some of them are just articles without the use of proofreaders. Good thing that the NHL mandated cookie cuter website designs so they are so easy to navigate. It would have taken me more like six hours instead of two if they weren’t. And I would have. You know I would have… All in the name of research.
Hey… I told you… I WAS SICK!!!!