Remember that scene in Season 2 of "HBO 24/7", when Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers took one of their cameras and began filming his own mini-documentary in his condo?
Well, look at what Uncle Scott's gonna eat, courtesy of the NHLPA's new deal with BlackBerry.
That's the just-released "Sizzle Reel" for the NHLPA's "Players' Playbook" series, in which players will be taking "home movies" with their BlackBerry Playbooks and the Players' Association will be posting them.
From the PA:
"Move over Hollywood—5 players are moving behind the camera for an all-access look at their lives off the ice. From the dressing room to their living room and beyond, The NHLPA Players' Playbook delivers exclusive videos shot by the NHL players themselves."
The players participating are Hartnell, his buddy Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Marty Biron of the New York Rangers; Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders; and amateur film critic Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks.
So, basically, five personable goofballs we can vicariously live through. Awesome.
Besides having the potential for hijinks, this is also a big money deal between RIM and the NHLPA — yes, the timing is impeccable.
Slowly, through stuff like this and social media, the players are starting to put themselves out there more ... just in time for the next CBA revenue sharing war.