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In absence of NHL news, photo of hockey insider goes viral

Storified by Maclean's Magazine· Fri, Jan 04 2013 03:02:37

Covering the NHL lockout can be long, stressful and tiring as journalists wait on NHL and NHLPA representatives to finally announce they have resolved their differences.. But amid the endless waiting, Pierre LeBrun took a quick snapshot of TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger. Neither could have imagined that this photo could have created such excitement on Twitter.

NHL has rescued us off the frigid sidewalks and let us wait out the meeting in its offices.. :) http://pic.twitter.com/6a8lawf0Pierre LeBrun

I owe Dregs a big steak dinner. At least. Sheesh.Pierre LeBrun

@JayOnrait @Real_ESPNLeBrun. I wasn't aware we were playing candid camera. I'll play. Look out LeBrun...Darren Dreger

@DarrenDreger @Real_ESPNLeBrun No way you are now a hero. Everyone loves "Dreger Face". Let's get it trending.Jay Onrait

It wasn't long until #dregerface was trending, thanks in large part to some pretty original photo-shopping.

MONSTER #DregerFace http://twitpic.com/bryxilGreg Wyshynski

#DregerFaceConner McTague

"It's been taken care of." #DregerFace http://pic.twitter.com/ug7122vJChris Peters

@DarrenDreger . Here's my contribution to #dregerface. http://pic.twitter.com/x1YD6YBGBackyard Coach

@J_Shappy @foreverdoug #DregerFace http://pic.twitter.com/gZtajeOyWill Leslie

More #DregerFace from around the Twitterverse. Send in your best usong the hashtag! Dreger will choose one to use as his twitter avatar for 3 days. #TSNTSN

#dregerface is the best thing about the lockout so farGary Rossiter

"@BigBadBruins88: .@toucherandrich @RochieWBZ check out #dregerface Boston #Bruins style http://pic.twitter.com/DJYJ1J9k"Jay Halcrow

#DregerFace http://pic.twitter.com/EX55JMjqCody DeCraeke

Didn't realize @DarrenDreger had so many talents #DregerFace http://pic.twitter.com/Mj8cuepOanthony j wood

Just can't believe how many people are spending their Wednesday night cropping and pasting #Dregerface into pictures.Hosea Cheung

Dreger for Mayor!! @DarrenDreger #dregerface http://pic.twitter.com/q3wLv8wzP

This. Is. Amazing. RT @JohnBryja: @Real_ESPNLeBrun @bruce_arthur #Dregerface Gangnam style video. http://www.jibjab.com/view/xcCmaKEmW8ofpaYF3eC0Bruce Arthur

Despite the modest embarrassment, Dreger agreed to temporarily change his avatar picture to the most popular photo of the night.

What happens first, lockout ends or I exercise revenge on @Real_ESPNLeBrun for world wide humiliation? I'm cranky this am.Darren Dreger

If #DregerFace is trending, we all need to re-evaluate how we spend our nights. @Real_ESPNLeBrun STK is an expensive spot.Darren Dreger

Hoping to make good on a promise. Need @bruce_arthur to declare winning #DregerFace for 3 day run as my avatar.Darren Dreger

As it turns out, the winner was Dreger's personal favorite.

@DarrenDreger Your winner: Lee Harvery Oswald. IKEA Monkey finished second, bless its plucky IKEA monkey heart.Bruce Arthur

It's endless, so I will chime in with this. Without question http://yfrog.com/nug6pdp is the best.Darren Dreger

Avatar has been changed and will remain there until Sunday.Darren Dreger

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