NHL: 10 Under-the-Radar Players You Have to Follow on Twitter

The NHL is said to have the best players on the planet. Players that are easily approachable and let their personalities shine through their words. And with the dawn of social media, these players are even more approachable. 

The players of the NHL have flocked to Twitter and have become celebrities off the ice. Players like Paul Bissonnette are famous because of social media—but the guys on this list have the ability for fame both on and off the ice.

The following 10 guys may not be the biggest names in hockey, but their playing skills and Twitter feeds both have potential.

Enjoy the 10 under-the-radar players you have to follow on Twitter. 

Kyle Palmieri

Twitter Handle: @kylepalmieri

Kyle Palmieri is currently a winger for the Anaheim Ducks, who also splits time with the Norfolk Admirals. The winger has seen some on-ice success, putting up a point per game in the AHL, but has yet to see success at the NHL—scoring only eight points in 28 games. 

However, Palmieri does have an interesting Twitter feed.

He likes to use humor in his tweets, which range in topic from the presidential debates to his roommate's life to the hockey lockout. Photos are also used fairly frequently, giving followers a look into his life.

Palmieri may not tweet often, but comes up with some Twitter gold when he does. 

Jhonas Enroth

Twitter Handle: @JEnroth125

Goaltenders are known to be some of the most unorthodox, borderline-crazy sports figures out there.

Jhonas Enroth does not disappoint.

Enroth, back-up goaltender for the Sabres, likes to have his voice heard on Twitter. Enroth tweets fairly often, and touches on a multitude of topics. Enroth quotes Jay-Z songs, shows pictures of himself stranded by the net in a lockout practice, and even discusses his lockout problems. 

Enroth is becoming more of a figure in Buffalo, and talks about the Bills and Sabres. His Twitter account gives him exposure to his fans and he is becoming a star on and off the ice. 

Chris Butler

Twitter Handle: @TheButler44

Chris Butler, defenseman for the Calgary Flames, started seeing playing time in 2008 with the Buffalo Sabres. Through four seasons Butler hasn't put up many offensive numbers, rather focusing on the defensive side of the puck.

On Twitter, Butler likes to let his personality shine through. He shows his hometown St. Louis some love, particularly during the Cardinals' most recent postseason run.

Butler hides no shame in tweeting about guilty pleasures such as Duck Dynasty, and gives comments on topics ranging from the space jump to the upcoming elections.

Butler gives followers a genuine look into his life as a hockey player, and will give people a good laugh if they follow him.  

Erik Johnson

Twitter Handle: @6ErikJohnson

Erik Johnson is a former No. 1 overall draft pick by the St. Louis Blues. After injuries and lackluster play, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, and has played there for the past two seasons. 

Johnson is a sports nut–and followers can see that. Johnson recently has tweeted about the MLB playoffs, playing hockey with his past teams, and various football games. Johnson even pokes fun at his own injuries and lack of skills on the golf course, all while giving followers some insight on the current lockout.

Johnson does not really do anything spectacular with the majority of his tweets, but there are a few diamonds in the rough, which makes him worth following. 

Eric Nystrom

Twitter Handle: @enystrom23

Eric Nystrom has been in the league for a while, but not really making a name for himself outside of the markets he's played for.

For those who have paid attention to his Twitter feed, Nystrom is doing big things.

The majority of Nystrom's tweets are accompanied by pictures, which is why Nystrom is worth following. The pictures are not anything special, but go perfectly with what he is saying. His tweets will at least force a chuckle out of you with his tongue-in-cheek humor. 

Nystrom uses humor to get his followers to laugh.

If you need a daily laugh, follow Nystrom. 

Ryan Whitney

Twitter Handle: @ryanwhitney6

Ryan Whitney is entering the prime of his career, but has been in the prime of his tweeting career for quite some time.

This may be a bold prediction, but Whitney may be the second-best tweeter in the NHL. He uses humor in nearly every single one of his tweets, while also coming up with creative hashtags, such as #dadebate and #justeasingthetension.

Whitney also has used #lockoutproblems, which is perfect for the lockout situation.

Whitney can find humor in anything, sometimes even using multiple tweets for the same photo. Whitney is lighthearted and should be followed immediately. 

George Parros

Twitter Handle: @GeorgeParros

The majority of players that find their way onto this list use humor in their tweets and show their personality, but George Parros is not like the others.

The self-proclaimed "Minister of Moustachery" uses a different way to interact with his followers.

Parros has created his own hashtag: #nightlyhypothetical. And it is exactly as it sounds. Parros asks his followers a nightly hypothetical question, choosing between two different events or ideas. And throughout the day, fans tweet him their choice. He then tallies up the total and announces the winner before his next nightly hypothetical.

Parros instituted a creative way to interact with his fans, and his questions are always fun. He actively engages his fans–which is why Parros finds his way on this list. 

Matt Kassian

Twitter Handle: @Kassassination

The Kassassian does not hold anything back when it comes to his Twitter account. The enforcer for the Wild lets everything fly, and hilarity ensues.

Kassian tweets whatever is on his mind, whether it be trolling wrong numbers, or his random aspirations that comes to him at night. Every tweet garners a laugh from his followers, and he does not care how inappropriate his tweets may be.

Kassian continues the trend that enforcers are the funniest guys both in the locker room and on social media.

If you have to follow one person on this list, make sure its the Kassassian. 

Scott Hartnell

Twitter Handle: @Hartsy19

Scott Hartnell has become a big name on the Flyers, and is also becoming a big name on Twitter.

What makes Hartnell an interesting person to follow is his #HartnellDown campaign. What started as a joke between Flyers' fans has become a must follow for every hockey fan. The hashtag keeps track of how many times Hartnell falls down on the ice. There are now t-shirts for sale with the hashtag, and the proceeds are donated to a charity of Hartnell's choice.

Hartnell doesn't take for granted the opportunity he has playing in the NHL, and his #HartnellDown campaign is making the most of it. 

Kevin Shattenkirk

Twitter Handle: @shattdeuces

Kevin Shattenkirk came to St. Louis in the same deal that sent Erik Johnson to Colorado, and he has become one of the young studs on the Blues' blue line. He is also becoming a stud on Twitter.

Shattenkirk does not tweet often, but he comes up with some Twitter gold.

He stays connected with the community of St. Louis, even retweeting a photo of a high school athlete from the area. Shattenkirk won John Buccigross's Extra Inning Challenge, and adds some humor to his response. Shattenkirk also tweets regularly about baseball, especial Cardinal baseball.

Shattenkirk is one of those players that is a must follow for Blues fans, and if you enjoy seeing a player interact with his community, then give Shattenkirk a follow too.