THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'E': The Ultimate ECHL Team Nickname Rankings Olli Jokinen was in his third season as captain of the Florida Panthers when the club had him transform from a Panther in a team video. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxMjM2MDM1ODM1Nzk5MDQx/usatsi_12665306_168400847_lowres.jpg] Olli Jokinen was in his third season as captain of the Florida Panthers when the club had him transform from a Panther in a team video. Hype videos have been a part of hockey for decades, whether they kick off a season or a gruelling playoff series. Some videos stand above the rest. Let's look at some of the best online from around the sport in recent years: THE FLORIDA PANTHERS 'COLD FRONT' VIDEO IS PEAK MID-2000S Where do we start with this Panthers video from the 2006-07 season? To begin, the outfits alone from Olli Jokinen and Nathan Horton show how much of a hold brands like Ed Hardy had on the public. Jokinen gathering his teammates for the season is hilarious for many reasons. Judging by the video, it's implied he went to at least a dozen different places to find everyone, from some players shooting pool or putting on a concert to some even in the middle of what appears to be a date. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PF086fy9Mg[/embed] The cover of Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight cover adds to the intensity but also adds to how funny the video is in hindsight as the Panthers come together. Full marks have to be given to the organization for creativity and no one taking themselves too seriously in this. THE CANADIENS INVOKE CLASSIC MEMORIES When you've been around as long as the Montreal Canadiens, multiple generations will have varying favorite moments on the franchise. The 2022-23 Canadiens pregame video paid tribute to the most memorable moments of the franchise, no matter the era, with players narrating the video. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ4ymjlulqM[/embed] The video commemorated Maurice Richard hitting the 500-goal mark and more modern memories like Saku Koivu's return to the roster in 2002 after battling cancer and the Canadiens' run to the 2021 Stanley Cup final. Full credit to the Habs for making something that made sure to honor all eras of the franchise, including the more recent history at the Bell Centre. UNLV TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF ITS LOCATION If you play in the Las Vegas area, you have to go big with your season-opening video, right? The ACHA's University of Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels made sure to come out with something eye-catching for their 2023-24 season. The team worked with Las Vegas-based freelance videographer Michael Craigwood and came up with a video that takes the players out of the rink and into Red Rock Canyon, one of the most beautiful areas of Nevada. No matter the UNLV program, the teams have always been proud of their region, and these shots in the canyon are such a well-done homage to one of hockey's coolest markets. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/p:CxrLjTOvyT4[/embed] THE COYOTES SHOWCASE ELEMENTS OF ARIZONA CULTURE When we get into creative hype videos, what the Arizona Coyotes released in November 2021 has to be up there. Not only is it a celebration of Sunbelt hockey, but it's a video that leans deep into various elements of Arizona culture with people from all walks of life. It also shows off how the Coyotes have truly had an impact on the sport in the state, from sled hockey to the very successful Arizona Kachinas program. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oCvVtgJv8[/embed] THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS CINEMATIC UNIVERSE? We may never learn the budget for team hype videos, but the Canucks went all out for theirs to kick off the 2021-22 campaign. Various players took on the role of superheroes from movies such as Star Wars, Iron Man and others. With the amount of big-budget movies shot in Vancouver, it's fitting the Canucks tapped into that well-established industry in the city.
