NHL prospects advised to stop posting about ‘addictive’ Fortnite game if they want to go pro

OHL teams are warning players to eliminate Fortnite references from their social media as the game is viewed as a distraction to some NHL executives. Yes, actually.

This just in: “Some NHL teams” hide in the bushes in Fortnite (translation: they suck).

The worst way to get kids to stop doing something is by telling them to stop doing it. When I was a child, my parents told me not to stick my fingers in the wall outlets. So what did I do? Stuck my fingers in the wall outlets until they were forced to buy those plastic covers for each and every one (I wasn’t the smartest kid).

Point is, if you tell a bunch of kids they can’t do something and they most certainly will continue to do said thing.

An OHL (Ontario Hockey League) employee recently advised players to scrub their social media timelines of all Fortnite references because some NHL executives think the game is a major distraction/obsession and it might hurt their draft stock.

Listen here, “some NHL teams.” We get it. You’re old, slightly out of touch and you don’t understand today’s youth. These crazy kids and their stupid Fortnite game, right? If only they were into cocaine, booze and strippers instead. Point is, it could be worse.

Live look at “some NHL executives:”

Players who play the popular multi-player battle royale game are bonding, getting closer and most likely becoming better teammates. All while doing nothing illegal or harmful. Fortnite isn’t hurting anyone’s hockey career.

Even if a player is obsessed with the game, it’s not like this is something new. Video games have been a part of professional sports for years. Halo, Call of Duty, now Fortnite; the name of the games change but the popularity within the athletic community remains the same. 

Here’s a very short sample of the many players who are playing Fortnite regularly: Patrik Laine, Auston Matthews, Aleksander Barkov, Mitch Marner, Alex Ovechkin, Brock Boeser, Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski, among many others. Do these guys seem distracted by their “gaming addiction” to you?

It’s worth noting that Sidney Crosby plays PUBG, which is a lesser version of the same game (loser).

In fact, the entire Carolina Hurricanes are using Fortnite as a way to connect with their players and bring them closer. The team recently sent their prospects to the Epic Games headquarters to play some Fortnite and build chemistry and friendship among each other. They reminded everyone about this on Twitter moments after the story broke this morning.

The fallout from Westhead’s tweet this morning is likely an overreaction. Maybe one or two old team execs are upset about the game being the primary source of entertainment for these young players. Trust us, they could be doing far worse things with their time.

Here’s a tip: If you really want to get OHL kids to stop playing the game, start playing yourselves. If there’s one thing young people hate, it’s doing the same thing as old people (see: Facebook).

Until then, let the kids play!