The Rise of the Hockey Influencer

The Rise of the Hockey Influencer

Once upon a time, the only way to experience true hockey magic was in person at a game or through the glow of the television screen.

As a kid, Saturday nights meant one thing: your parents calling you in from an intense game of road hockey, you inhaling dinner at a near hazardous speed, followed by a mad dash to the couch, just in time to hear the iconic Hockey Night in Canada theme blare like a national alarm clock signalling game time.

Whether you grew up watching legends like Gretzky, Yzerman, Lemieux, and Roy, or the next generation of stars like Sid, Ovi, Kane, and McDavid, every fan shared the same feeling.  The lights would dim, the crowd would amplify, and as your favourite superstar hit the ice, you knew it was only a matter moments before you witnessed yet another highlight reel moment for the ages.

But as the game has evolved, so too has the way we watch, learn, and who we're influenced by. 

From Broadcasts to Feeds

The stage lights may still dim, but the spotlight has shifted.  From the pros under the bright arena lights to creators behind camera lenses.

Today, hockey lives everywhere, not just in the arenas or on our TV screens.  It’s in our feeds, on our “For You” page, and lighting up our group chats after a spectacular tuck has everyone buzzing. 

Thanks to social platforms, a new generation of hockey influencers have emerged.  Players, goalies, parents, coaches, and beer leaguers alike, have all joined in on the fun. 

They might not play in the pros or skate in front of 20,000 fans, but they still light up the screens, reaching thousands if not millions of viewers.  All it takes is a camera, creativity, and a love for the game to make an impact. These beauties are changing the game one post at a time.

Why They Matter

Plain and simple, these creators are about making hockey personal.

They show the early mornings, the heartbreaks, the missed open nets, and the little victories.  They connect with kids chasing dreams, parents tying skates at the break of dawn, and retired players who continue to have their gear in the trunk, just in case a game breaks out and they get one more chance to prove they still got it.

They break down the game, making it more relatable and accessible to their viewers.  They inspire the next generation to get involved in positive and uplifting ways.  They modernize it, blending creativity, humour, and community to every post, video, and content piece.

Through training tips, storytelling, style, and fashion, these creative influencers are building followings that help shape how the game looks, feels, and sounds moving forward.  So much so, that major  players in the industry have taken notice, teaming up with them to reach fans in new ways that once were not possible.

A New Kind of Hockey Idol

Hockey will always celebrate its legends, but now the spotlight is shared.  The new idols might not wear a professional jersey, but rest assured, they will be filming trick shots on a frozen pond, editing videos at 2 a.m., and teaching kids a new way to light the lamp in style.

Hockey isn’t just watched anymore.  It’s shared, posted, and lived every single day.  

Here's to the game we all love, and to those who help shape it for the future!

Who's the next big hockey influencer, and who are we missing on our list below?  Drop a comment and let us know!

 

Key Hockey Influencers:
Zac Bell - @AlwaysHockey
·      IG ~ 687K
·      YouTube ~ 473K+
·      Elite skill influencer & viral trick-shot specialist.
·      “Hockey Jedi”
·      Partnership and featured in EA Sports NHL video games
Pavel Barber - @heybarber
·      IG ~ 912K+
·      YouTube ~ 440K+
·      Featured in/consulted on EA Sports NHL 24
·      Elite skill influencer with frequent brand content provider.
Andrew Telfer - @thenasher61
·      IG ~ 266K
·      YouTube ~ 800K+
·      Built Heatwave Arena in Columbus, runs leagues and tournaments.
·      @cwenchhydration
·      “Nasher”
Peter Lenes - @swaggyp_63
·      IG ~ 174K
·      Cofounder ELEV802 skills facilities across multiple states
·      Elite skill influencer with frequent brand content provider.
Coach Jeremy - @howtohockey
·      IG ~ 413K
·      YouTube ~ 238K
·      Runs The Pond training platform

Coach Chippy - @coach.chippy
·      IG ~ 503K
·      YouTube ~ 117K
·      TikTok 700K+
·      Brand partner for hydration/flavour drops.
·      “Style & Flow” persona.
On The Bench (Olly & Jacob) - @on.the.bench
·      IG ~ 452K (IG brand channel plus personal handles)
·      Comedy duo
·      Book ~ The Fundies
·      Content with frequent celebrity cameos.
 Chelsea Dinnin - @dreamhockeyy
·      IG ~ 61K
·      Former Junior and University Hockey Player
·      Coaching @bhblazershockey 
·      Elite skill influencer with frequent brand content provider.
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