By: Ryan Kelsey
Across the American Hockey League multiple teams have made an effort to not only provide materials for healthcare centers during this COVID-19 pandemic, but have also been active on social media platforms and staying connected to their fan base. Some of the ways that teams have been active on social media platforms is by reaching out to hockey fans, making engaging posts, and providing words of encouragement in this time of need.
One team in particular who has been posting numerous photos and videos on their instagram account is the Hartford Wolf Pack. On April 10, Fan Appreciation Day, the Pack posted a video on their instagram account of forward, Ty Ronning. Ronning can be seen talking about his favorite memory of the season, the Teddy Bear Toss, while also telling Wolf Pack fans to stay safe and healthy.
The Pack also posted a montage of photos of their fans supporting the team and cheering them on during gameday. The team posted the montage with the caption which stated “We have the greatest fans in the league. Thank You for all of the support and energy you bring to every game!”
Wolf Pack goalie JF Berube, and forward Tim Gettinger have also been featured on the instagram account as both players can be viewed providing words of encouragement. Berube talked about how he misses playing in front of the fans, acknowledging the fact that keeping away from family and friends is hard, and that despite these hard times everybody is going through this together, and in a way, are all on the same team. Meanwhile, Gettinger expressed how he hopes everybody is staying safe by following safety measures, and still remains hopeful that the Pack can resume play in front of the fans soon.
Additionally, the Wolf Pack have been posting creative photos on their stories in order to lighten the mood while engaging their audience and followers through games of trivia. For example, on April 4 the Pack decided to post a story of “The Office Night” in which fans had to guess which characters in the television show “The Office” said the following quotes that were posted.
On the other hand, the Atlantic Division leaders, the Providence Bruins, have also been busy utilizing their social media platforms as well. On instagram, the team released a video on “#SloMoMonday” of forward Jakub Lauko almost scoring his second goal during a matchup against the Belleville Senators. In the video Lauko fires a slapshot at goalie, Filip Gustavsson in which the puck slides underneath Gustavsson’s legs. However, with an athletic heads up play, defensmen Max Lajoie knocked the puck away just as the puck was about to cross the red goal line.
Although it still remains unknown if the hockey season will once again resume, the hockey community and the teams around the American Hockey League have made it known that regardless of being away from the ice rink or not, both the fans and the players are still thinking about one another.
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