Home / Opinion / The NHL is using a tech theme to promote the All-Star Game and it’s [phone dials, modem noises]

The NHL is using a tech theme to promote the All-Star Game and it’s [phone dials, modem noises]

By Elizabeth Kong

 3 Comments

January 24, 2019 11:44 am

The 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend begins Friday. On Wednesday morning, the NHL tweeted out what appears to be the theme of the weekend: #HiTechHockey.

The hashtag is in reference to the location of the All-Star Game in San Jose, California, which is close to the famed technological hub of Silicon Valley. The hashtag is also likely a reference to the new player tracking and puck-tracking technology that the NHL is looking to test during the All-Star Game.

*Oh, dang it. I lost my internet connection. I have to dial back up. One second.*

*Okay, I’m back!*

As Monday went on, more NHL teams started using the #HiTechHockey hashtag. According to Josh Dudych, a member of the Winnipeg Jets social media team, the NHL issues an annual challenge to each NHL social media team to produce their own All-Star Game theme promo.

The results? Some of them were fun, some were horrifying, and some left hockey fans scratching their heads.

@NHL, Ask Jeeves

For you youngins, this is a reference to the search engine of the late 90s, Ask Jeeves, where you could send your questions out into the world and a nice butler man would fetch you the answers.

@NHL, Netflix

@Capitals, AOL Instant Messenger

I’m sure team owner and ex-AOL executive Ted Leonsis appreciated the AOL reference, but this joke fell mostly flat on Twitter. The mock-up is a full Windows 98 throwback of John Carlson’s away message on AOL Instant Messenger: “BRB going to the All-Star game 2019 with my bestie Holtby!!! ~~**~~”

@NHLFlyers, Apple iPod commercials

@penguins, Futuristic touchscreen thing

@NHLCanes, Yahoo

@NHLBruins, Back to the Future

@DetroitRedWings, Netflix

The season finale of last year’s Braden Holtby was so good, but this new season is a little rough.

@FlaPanthers, HQ Trivia

@TBLightning, Apple iPod commercial

@ColoradoAvalanche, HBO’s Silicon Valley

The Photoshop work here is great, but why did they Photoshop the hands too? Seriously, zoom in on them. It. Does. Not. Work.

@LAKings, HBO’s Silicon Valley

Oh no. This must be what it’s like when you show up at a party wearing the same turtleneck as someone else. Quick, someone go home and change!

@AnaheimDucks, Facebook

@Canucks, Google

@DallasStars, Samsung

@DallasStars, Black Mirror

@NHLBlackhawks, iPhone

I respect the effort, but this is only mildly funny if you can read the tiny names of the apps on the phone’s screen.

@NHLJets, Google Chrome error screen


The Jets clearly had the most fun with this challenge and it shows. This one is a winner. It was, after all, the San Jose Sharks who wondered if there was wifi in Winnipeg.

@NHLJets, Wired cover

@NHLJets, Flying Internet Kid

@NHLJets, Windows 98

@SanJoseSharks, HBO’s Silicon Valley

@NHLonNBCSports, TRON

Hey, NBC, quick question, are you taking constructive criticism?

@NHLonNBCSports, Tinder

Yeah, I’m gonna swipe left on this one.

@NHLonNBCSports, LinkedIn

@NHLonNBCSports, Snapchat

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