The Top 10 NHL Players You Should Be Following On Twitter

As Twitter has become a social networking phenomenon, many professional athletes have begun tweeting.

Sports stars are able to communicate with fans, provide updates on their personal lives, and express themselves in 140 characters or less.

While athletes from the NBA and NFL have garnered a great deal of media interest for controversial and insightful tweets, NHL players have begun using Twitter increasingly in the last year. While there are over 50 past and present NHLers using Twitter, some are a cut above the rest.

So without further ado, here are the top 10 NHL players you should be following on Twitter.

No. 10: Joffrey Lupul

Joffrey Lupul's Tweets include everything from his thoughts on his team's signings to his feelings on current events in the sports world.

The Anaheim Ducks sniper made his thoughts on LeBron James decision to leave Cleveland for Miami very clear the day after ESPN aired "The Decision.” The following day Lupul Tweeted "DO NOT- Be a SUCKA and order a LBJ Heat jersey today and walk around the street looking like a complete moron."

No. 9: Brent Sopel

The Atlanta Thrashers' newly acquired Brent Sopel was a key member of the Chicago Blackhawks defense corps during their 2010 Stanley Cup Championship run and Tweets frequently. On the day of his looming trade to Atlanta just days after hoisting the cup in Philadelphia, Sopel let his fans in Chicago how much he appreciated them, saying "Thank You Everyone for the Amazing Well Wishes, but this is all just Rumor and has not been Confirmed yet. But regardless I LOVE U CHICAGO!"

No. 8: Eric Fehr

Eric Fehr of the Washington Capitals has emerged as a budding power forward over the course of the last season and a half and has also become a frequent user of Twitter.

Fehr's tweets reveal that he is an avid classic video game connoisseur, as he Tweeted, "Finally got all my star coins in level 3-5 of Super Mario Brothers. What a game! Time well spent."

No. 7: Scottie Upshall

This gritty Phoenix Coyotes forward constantly lets his followers know his thoughts on the goings on of the hockey world, as well as those of his personal life.

Recently Scottie Upshall echoed a common complaint among airplane travelers’ snorers. "You can hear this guy over the jet engines! Kids r all crying & this Poor lady beside him will never fly again probly. I should wake him.."

No. 6: Jordin Tootoo

Jordin Tootoo has made a name for himself as an agitator, but one who can chip in offensively as well as drop the gloves with the best of them.

Tootoo's Twitter account showcases his acute sense of humor as he took a couple of playful jabs at Nashville Predator teammate Dan Ellis. He Tweeted "Ellis you may want to go for a walk with your jeans shorts on to tan those ghost legs. Maybe throw on a minni umbrella over your head."

No. 5: Martin Havlat

The Minnesota Wild's All-Star forward Martin Havlat was an enthusiastic user of Twitter during the 2009 offseason, and provided insight into his free agency standing with his then-current team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

After stating multiple times that he wished to remain a Blackhawk, he signed with the Minnesota Wild after the July 1st Free Agency. However, Havlat told his fans that it was not his choice, it was that of Chicago's management team, saying, "Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management. The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out." Havlat clearly loved playing in Chi-town, and his honesty is a breath of fresh air in the hockey world.

No. 4: Dan Ellis

Dan Ellis has proved to be an insightful person to follow on Twitter, largely because he comments on most of his team's personnel decisions during the off season.

He discussed his own free agency situation, how his move to Tampa Bay has been, and what he thinks of his new General Manager Steve Yzerman's trades and signings.

For example, after hearing the Lightning had acquired Simon Gagne, Ellis Tweeted, "Great pick up for TB today with Gagne trade. Pretty sick group of forwards. Best I have ever played with by far!"

No. 3: Michael Cammalleri

One of the heroes of the Montreal Canadiens' deep run in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Michael Cammalleri has also been one of the most interesting NHLers to follow on Twitter. Cammalleri tweets about unique aspects of his life, and has revealed that he is a diehard Kobe Bryant fan. Cammalleri also described his unusual post season "cleansing routine.” He Tweeted that after his first day in which he fasted and only drank water, "Day 2 of the cleanse...yesterday was water and massage...today is green vegetables and yoga.."

No. 2: Mike Green

Mike Green, the young, high scoring Washington Capitals blueliner, is one of the most unique players in the NHL, and his tweets are no different. On his Twitter account, Green is very candid with his followers, as he gives brutally honest assessment of his play on the ice and speaks his mind frequently. Mike also gives his fans many opportunities to win tickets and meet him. On one occasion this year he tweeted, "Ok whomever rocks the most muscle milk product tomorrow in McLean I will give them two tickets to the Sunday game. Rock your muscle milk gear and you will be able to come to the game and meet me after. This is no joke." Green seems to appreciate his fans, and tries to reward them via Twitter.

No. 1: Brendan Shanahan (retired)

Though he retired after the 2008-09 season, surefire future Hall of Fame forward Brendan Shanahan is the funniest and most interesting hockey player, past or present, to follow on Twitter.

He updates his Twitter page with pictures of his surroundings, and often shows his sense of humor. After seeing former teammate Darren McCarty on TV as an analyst during the playoffs, Shanahan Tweeted, "Last one of the night. Can we all chip in and buy my boy Darren McCarty a new tooth for when he's on TV?" Shanahan was one of the most outgoing and personable players of his generation, and continues to be such on Twitter.