NHL's 16 Greatest Fan Tributes on YouTube

In the age of digital and social media, the fans of the NHL get to express their support for their favorite players in many creative and unique ways.

Through the use of digital editing software, documented video clips and YouTube, fans can pay tribute to players and teams in an amazing way.

The pending lockout certainly puts a damper on things when you consider that the fans are the ones who are affected the most. With September 16 currently slated to be the first day of the lockout, here are 16 of the greatest fan tribute videos on YouTube.

NHLvideosOnly: Pavel Datsyuk Dekes and Dangles Compilation

This tribute produced by NHLvideosOnly is one of the most comprehensive highlight packages on YouTube. 

This user really captured the essence of the puck wizard known to the world as Pavel Dastyuk. Each moment seems to get better and better as Datsyuk amazes and dazzles the fans with his unique dekes and dangles.

A lot of hard work definitely went into the production of this video.

Blackhawks1818: Sidney Crosby #87 (HD)

This highlight reel packages comes courtesy of YouTube user blackhawks1818 and is a well-produced tribute to one of the NHL's top players.

This video showcases Sidney Crosby and who he is as a player. It starts off with Crosby getting to the rink with equipment in hand, shows Crosby's on-ice wizardry with the puck and even showcases his defense side as he famously dove across the crease to prevent a goal during the playoffs.

Love him or hate him, Crosby is one of the league's best and this video is one of the best tributes on YouTube.

careyprice14782: Carey Price Take That (HD)

This video really is tastefully done and it tells a great story. The use of analyst voiceovers laid over video clips of Carey Price really illustrates how bad things were for Price early on.

However, as the video progresses, Price proves his detractors and naysayers wrong and as the title says, he basically says "take that!"

This highlight package has tons of great elements that were really skillfully put together in a way for the fans to appreciate and understand.

LoFFen1987: Brad Richards: "Broadway Bound"

LoFFen1987 is one of the most creative highlight reel makers on YouTube. He is a die-hard New York Rangers fan but he also makes videos featuring other players like Steven Stamkos and Claude Giroux.

Last summer, Brad Richards was the premier free-agent on the market and he signed with the Rangers on July 2, 2011. It didn't take LoFFen1987 long to post this highlight-reel tribute to the newest Ranger, as it was released on July 3.

For more amazing features by LoFFen1987, check out his YouTube profile.

seancampbell11: Steven Stamkos #91 (HD)

Steven Stamkos is one of the NHL's most electrifying players, and the intro featuring lightning bolts sets a great tone early on. This video is high octane and fast-paced, much like its subject is.

Stamkos is a speedy and in-your-face type of player, and this highlight reel throws clip after clip at you in order to illustrate the awesomeness that is Steven Stamkos.

I have a feeling that this user will make another tribute in the near future, especially when you consider the year Stammer just had.

seancampbell11: Marian Gaborik #10 (HD)

The user seancampbell11 gets another shout-out because of his amazing creative ability and talent.

The feature of this video was Marian Gaborik, who, when healthy, is one of the most electrifying players in the game. The use of clips, music and special effects really ties things together nicely when showing off a flashy and skilled player like Marian Gaborik.

There are tons of different features by this user so be sure to look him up on YouTube.

snoodawg: Nicklas Lidstrom- All Time Great

This video really hits home and will get you teary eyed when you consider that Nicklas Lidstrom's career is finally over.

The NHL will no longer have the "perfect human" patrolling the blue line, and the game lost one of the nicest and classiest players in league history. This highlight package does a great job showing what type of player Lidstrom was on and off the ice in the locker room.

HeRoZ17: Martin St.Louis [HD]

Martin St. Louis is arguably the greatest undersized forward in the history of the NHL. He stands at 5"8 and is only 180 lbs. yet he has had an amazing career that has allowed him to rack up 852 points in 931 games.

He is fast, agile and a talented goal scorer that just has a knack for finding open ice. This tribute was one of the best on YouTube and it really does a great job capturing who St. Louis is as a player.

VazorProductions: Marian Hossa Compilation (HD)

VazorProductions took a great level of care when producing this highlight reel and it shows when you look at all the elements. The music, special effects, the unique presentations and the highlight clips chosen for this compilation were truly outstanding.

Hossa has been in the NHL for quite sometime and he is still one of the league's top goal scorers. He is a dangerous player you can never turn your back on, and these clips make you appreciate the talents of the Chicago Blackhawks' sniper.

xEvolu7ioNx: Alex Ovechkin |Run This Town HD

Alex Ovechkin is arguably one of the NHL's most charismatic and electrifying players. He had a rough past season in which his production dropped, but this video does a good job of reminding us what Ovechkin can still do.

He has a blazing shot, great hands, is an amazing skater and great overall player. Ovechkin will look to rebound this year under new bench boss Adam Oates, so sit back and await the return of the "Great 8."

PhilKessel: Henrik Lundqvist-King of New York

Henrik Lundqvist is the NHL's top netminder as the reigning Vezina Trophy recipient, and he has been one of the most consistent goalies since the NHL returned from the lockout.

This video really shows who Lundqvist is as a player, what he means to the city and exhibits his athleticism as a goaltender.

This user really did a great job tying things together with visuals and music to give a unique and well-done perspective.

For another amazing Lundqvist tribute, check this out.

BearsHockey18: Jonathan Toews (HD)

Jonathan Toews is one of the NHL's most complete players in the game today. He is an offensive threat, a solid defender and two-way player and is arguably one of the NHL's top captains.

He led the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup since 1961 in 2010 and electrified a city in the process.

The addition of Toews to the Blackhawks' franchise really rejuvenated the team and the city. This tribute really sums up what Toews means to the Blackhawks.

Tubeface95: Evgeni Malkin Highlights (HD)

Evgeni Malkin lit up the NHL during the 2011-12 season and proved why he is one of the league's best. He captured the Art Ross, Hart and Ted Lindsay trophies as top scorer, league MVP and the NHLPA's top player.

Malkin is an electrifying player and the use of thumping music, amazing highlights and a great overall presentation makes this one of the best fan-made tributes on YouTube.

RG32hockey: Claude Giroux-Highlights [HD]

This highlight package surprisingly only has 79 views, but it should have at least a few thousand views.

Claude Giroux took the NHL by storm this year and emerged as a top star. Many critics, myself include, thought that trading away Mike Richards and Jeff Carter would spell disaster for the Flyers.

However, no one anticipated the meteoric rise of Giroux. He is a skilled playmaker, passer, and shooter, while still being a player who is just starting to come into his own.

Giroux represents the new Philadelphia Flyers, and it is only a matter of time before he becomes the official team captain.

Moves Like Jagr (jaromir Jagr Tribute)

Jaromir Jagr is one of the greatest players in the history of the NHL, and this highlight reel spans his entire career up until this point.

Jagr has been a charismatic player who has showed he has tons of skills, and this highlight package really illustrates what he has accomplished.

The song choice was also fun because it uses play on words to emphasize moves like Jagr when the song title is "Moves like Jagger."

This tribute is pretty impressive and the user put a lot of effort into it.

Hypefor6: Teemu Selanne Tribute

Teemu Selanne is one of the greatest wingers in the history of the NHL and he has had a lengthy career. He is a surefire first-ballot Hall-of-Fame candidate once he retires from the game he loves.

This comprehensive tribute really showcases Selanne's entire career and how amazing he is as a player. When Selanne finally decides to hang up his skates, it will be a sad day but it will have been a helluva career for the man known as the Finnish Flash.

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If an amazing tribute was left of this list, leave a comment below so it can be added to the list.