It didn't take long for the news that about two dozen NHL players were holding lockout workouts together in Plano to spread through Twitter.
"There are no secrets anymore, with social media and all that stuff," said Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"It was supposed to be very low key," said Tom Hulsey, general manager of the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Plano.
But once the news spread, the crowds started growing.
"There was some good scrimmaging going on right there," observed Connor Walton, who is originally from Toronto.
Hulsey said the StarCenter brought in security to handle the hundreds of people who were turning out every day to watch the practices and forming a line that looped around the building to try to catch players for autographs and pictures.
With the news Thursday afternoon that all league games would be canceled through November because of the lockout, hockey fans said they're looking for whatever professional action they can find.
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"I really should be studying," Andrew Gifford said. "This is the only hockey we get right now."
"I don't know when I'm going to see them next on the ice," agreed Hallie Stephenson, who has been at the facility twice this week.
Many are looking for a resolution to the lockout dispute, perhaps no one more than the players.
"They got a little taste of hockey that they're probably missing right now -- we all are," said Crosby, who called the lack of progress in negotiations "disappointing."
