The NHL partners with Facebook

The NHL recently announced that it had integrated Facebook with NHL.com. And while that initially sounded like a cool idea, it quickly became apparent that it wasn't all it was hyped up to be. All the site had done was add some of those annoying "like" buttons to various pages. No big deal.

Or was it? My sources within the NHL's interactive marketing team have told me that last week's launch was just an appetizer. Very soon, NHL fans will be able to enjoy the full Facebook experience.

Here are just a few examples of features that will be rolling out soon:

• Upload your photos from your drunken all-night bar crawl; Facebook will automatically sort through and tag Shane O'Brien in all of them.
  
  
• Fans can now post a message on the league's wall, then get slammed face first into it from behind by Marian Hossa.
  
  
• Connect with NHL teams by clicking the "Become a fan" button (note: button no longer available in the southeast United States).
  
  
• You will receive an endless and annoying stream of Mafia Wars invitations from Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn.
  
  
• I'm not sure, but I think only Leaf fans are seeing this one:
  
  
  
  
  
• The league will automatically search through your photo album and fine you for every headshot.
  
  
• The Facebook messaging system will now detect any hockey-related emails you send and automatically forward them to Paul Kelly.
  
  
• In an effort to keep up with the NHL on the cutting edge, the CFL has announced an integration deal with Friendster.
  
  
• Help the Washington Capitals stay in peak physical condition by playing the world's most popular online game: Pharm-Ville
  
  
• And finally, remember those "like" buttons on the NHL Teams page? Soon, they'll be replaced with specific buttons for each team. Here's a screen grab from the beta version:

If you liked this post, you might also like:

• The Maple Leafs' Facebook feed
  
• Brian Burke's Twitter
  
• Gary Bettman's Gmail
  
• And don't forget to follow me on twitter and/or subscribe via RSS

April Fools - NHL style

It's April 1, and here at Down Goes Brown that means two things: the Leafs have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and it's time for the annual April Fools post.

So just like in 2008 and 2009, let's see if we can come up with some practical jokes and wacky pranks that various NHL personalities could play on each other today.

Marc Savard - Playfully tease Matt Cooke when he asks if you've forgiven him by blinking twice for "no" instead of once for "yes".

Taylor Hall - Call Brian Burke; tell him you just checked the standings and are wondering why no Leafs scouts ever come to your games.

Phoenix Coyotes - Send out season ticket renewal forms with a Winnipeg return address.

Alexander Ovechkin - Scare Ted Leonsis by telling him that you were a regular client of that steroid-dealing chiropractor. Quickly reassure him that in truth you've never even seen a chiropractor, since you've never suffered from any back problems at all unless you want to count all that acne.

2K Sports - Pick some random second-liner from an insignificant team; tell him he's been chosen for the cover of NHL 2K11.

Stephane Auger - Before tonight's game, inform one of the players that you're planning to "get him", when in fact you're really planning to get a completely different player.

Gary Bettman - Make a hilarious announcement that blindside hits will now result in suspensions but not penalties, as if any self-respecting league would ever do such a thing.

Joe Thornton - Completely forget how to be an effective hockey player. (Not actually a prank; more of an annual April tradition.)

Pat Quinn - Tell team that it's really important to give their best effort during their remaining games because they still matter somehow.

Mario Lemieux - Over breakfast, jokingly suggest to Sidney Crosby that maybe it's time for him to move out and get his own place like an actual man would do.

Jonathan Toews - Confuse Blackhawk fans by posing for a massive highway billboard next to a strange trophy none of them have ever seen before.

Florida Panthers - During boring team meeting, throw paper airplane at David Booth that hits him right in the head! Ha, he never even saw -- oh god, I think we killed him.

Shane O'Brien - When the bartender asks if you want to buy another round, humorously reply "No thank you, because I am a professional athlete and I have practice tomorrow".