@mashable published an article earlier in the month on the National Hockey League’s implementation of Twitter’s new list feature. Instead of creating aptly-named lists such as “NHL’s peeps” and “NHL’s fave funny homies lolz,” the league recognized that its individual teams have a greater appeal than a simple list of funny Tweeters, so it sent this message out a few weeks ago:
Fans began aligning themselves with their favorite teams, and before long the NHL discovered the first downside to Twitter lists: the maximum of 20 lists permitted for a given account. With 30 teams currently in the league and three additional now-defunct organizations (Quebec, Winnipeg and Hartford) with their own lists, there currently is not enough room for every NHL fan.
Not only that, but four of the “Original 6” teams, squads with nearly a century of history and tradition, are currently out in the cold. Of Boston, Chicago, Detroit, the New York Rangers, Montreal and Toronto, only the Blackhawks and Red Wings currently have their own list.
Obviously, the NHL’s implementation of Twitter lists isn’t perfect quite yet. But at its best, the lists are a great way for fans to get in touch with each other in ways they couldn’t have before. According to Mashable, the NHL is working on getting their number of allowed lists expanded. If and when that occurs, we’ll have a brilliant implementation of Twitter’s new feature at our fingertips.
Going forward (assuming the NHL is eventually given additional lists for the remaining teams), I see actual NHL players interacting with fans on their respective Twitter lists in an effort to increase interest in the team. I’m making this prediction because 1) The league has been striving for a more fan-friendly experience in the aftermath of the recent lockout, and 2) out of all professional athletes, hockey players are arguably the most down-to-earth, making them excellent candidates to “Twinteract” with fans. Of course, this is assuming there will be classes held that teach hockey players how to use a computer without slashing it with a stick while grunting.
I kid, hockey players, I kid. Please don’t fight me.
Click here for the full Mashable article