#ThePlayers Are Back On The Ice!

By Catherine Faas //
January 21, 2013 //
Player of the Week

NHL hockey is back! This past weekend, #theplayers laced up and hit the ice for the first time this season, as the 2012-13 NHL campaign got underway. Whether their teams won or lost, players were just happy to be back playing hockey in front of their fans again. Many of the guys took to Twitter this weekend to share their excitement with fans, show love to their teammates, and congratulate other players on their achievements.

Here are some of the best tweets:

View the story "#ThePlayers Are Back On The Ice" on Storify#ThePlayers Are Back On The IceStorified by NHLPA· Mon, Jan 21 2013 08:22:43 No better way to start off the year than with 2 points!James van Riemsdyk- What a way for James Wisniewski to get his first goal as a Blue Jacket: he ended a 17-game (0-12-5) Columbus... http://fb.me/29LRQaxKFJames WisniewskiMan that felt great out there on the ice. Solid and steady performance by the boys today. Proud to be part of the #Sens #keeponrollin'Marc MethotGreat day for @LAKings @aegworldwide and my teammates. Banner and these #blessed http://pic.twitter.com/kswKgJDAWillie MitchellIt's go time! 2013 season. #JTB #CBJJack JohnsonEven though the Wild are division rivals, Josh Harding getting a shutout in his first start since being diagnosed with MS is great to see.Sam GagnerThanks for all the great tweets, I sure had a lot of fun with the boyz in front of that wild crowd! #SabreTimeSteve OttCongrats to @6Schultz6 and @Nail10_1993 on their first career games. Looked like wily veterans out there. #OilersSam GagnerFeels great to be back in the National League and win the first one on the road. The #Oiler fans made it feel like a home game. #NHLSam GagnerCongrats @JLupul on the new deal! Excited we locked up a big part of our team for 5 more... #uke #teamdinnerJohn-Michael LilesNot the outcome we wanted last night but definitely the greatest home opener ceremony I've ever been a part of. #pro #habs #torchColby ArmstrongFirst 2 road games in the books. Feels good to be back. Excited 2 hear #pensnation in the home opener. #cyawednesdayjames nealThrilled to be a Maple Leaf for 5 more years. Look forward to doing everything I can to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto.Joffrey LupulThat building was electric last night! Can't thank Blues fans enough for the support. #bluenatics #LGBKevin ShattenkirkCan't wait to watch the boys take on the Canucks tonight. Wish I could be out there with them. Give em hell gents! #roadtorecoveryRyan JonesGreat game tonight from the boys... Easy to play in front of such a great crowd, thanks for coming out everyone!!! #RedRisingGeorge ParrosThanks so much for the warm welcome from @washcaps fans. Can't wait to play in front of you on Tuesday and get that first win. #winningWojtek WolskiForgot how fun that is.. Man I love hockey.Joffrey LupulCan't say it enough, thanks all blues fans for your support. Congratulation to tarasenko on his first two NHL goals. #thetank#peskybluespatrik berglundGood start for the boys! Felt great to be back out there.Tyler BozakQuite the start to the season, great to meet some fans after the game. Now it's time to be road warriors! #hockeyisback #theboysErik GudbransonWhat a great night tonight was. Can't explain how exciting that was to play at the garden! Huge win!!chris bourqueFeel like a little kid at Christmas time. I hope I can sleep tonight!! #Excited #hockeyisbackMikael BacklundJust another THANK YOU to the fans that have stuck by us and the game we all love through this whole thing. Now the fun begins for all of usTim BrentCouldn't be more excited. One more little nap then #GameOn the greatest game on earth is back. #GoAvsGo #HockeyIsBackJohn MitchellBeen waiting for this for 8 months #itsgotime #flyersnationWayne Simmonds