Sports Media Challenge used Buzz Manager to identify popular NHL-specific blogs based on the quality of content, size/quality of the community, and consistent activity. In addition, SportsBusiness Journal highlights three others worth a look:
James Mirtle: A hockey journalist’s blog www.mirtle.blogspot.com Overview: Respected blogger and contributor to The (Toronto) Globe and Mail has established one of the most influential blogs among hockey fans. Mirtle has a great understanding of the game, which is evident in his daily posts. Fan engagement: Provides multiple daily posts on the latest stories and updates on the NHL, and fans are eager to post comments. Sean Lehey’s Going Five Hole www.goingfivehole.blogspot.com Overview: Provides previews and analysis on the NHL, and a “Monday Afternoon Required Reading” article that highlights the latest in the league. The blog also helps fans who play in fantasy hockey leagues. Fan engagement: Enables readers to express their opinions on stories. Kuklas Korner www.kuklaskorner.com Overview: Provides links to NHL-related stories and “around the clock” posts from bloggers. Fan engagement: Enables readers to comment on posts and provides a chat room for NHL fans. Barry Melrose Rocks www.melroserocks.blogspot.com Overview: Uses a witty approach to preview NHL games and provides readers with the humorous stories that surround the NHL off the ice. Fan engagement: Fans can comment on the stories while keeping in touch with the blog’s namesake, new Tampa Bay Lightning coach Barry Melrose. Melt Your Faceoff www.meltyourfaceoff.net Overview: Another NHL-focused site that uses humor to cover stories on and off the ice, including previews and breakdowns of games. Fan engagement: Has many comments in response to each post. | The Battle of Alberta www.battleofalberta.blogspot.com Overview: Focuses on the bitter rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. The blog also covers the Oilers and Flames individually. Fan engagement: Oilers and Flames fans are eager to express their opinions. The Pensblog www.thepensblog.blogspot.com Overview: Dedicated to following the Pittsburgh Penguins, providing previews and analysis for the team’s games. Fan engagement: Penguins fans express their opinions as the team, led by Sidney Crosby, tries to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals. Source: Analysis provided by Buzz Manager, an Internet mining, monitoring and measurement service for the sports industry. Buzz Manager is a proprietary service of Sports Media Challenge: www.sportsmediachallenge.com. ALSO OF NOTE: On Frozen Blog www.onfrozenblog.com Puck Daddy www.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy AOL FanHouse www.nhl.fanhouse.com |
