May 17, 2012

2012 Scotiabank NHL Draft Lottery To Be Conducted Tonight

April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

 NEW YORK (April 8, 2012) — The 2012 Scotiabank NHL® Draft Lottery, a weighted system to determine the order of selection for the first 14 picks of the 2012 NHL Draft, will take place Tuesday, April 10, at 8 p.m., ET.

The League, in cooperation with TSN, will announce the results of the Draft Lottery live during a 30-minute program, produced and televised by TSN in Canada. The special presentation also will air in the U.S. on NBC Sports Network.

The 2012 Scotiabank NHL® Draft Lottery involves clubs that do not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or the clubs that have acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff clubs.

Per NHL rules, the club selected in the Draft Lottery may not move up more than four positions in the draft order. Thus, the only clubs with the opportunity to receive the first overall selection are the five teams with the lowest regular-season point totals, or the clubs that acquired an eligible club’s first-round draft pick. No club will move down more than one position as a result of the Draft Lottery.

Based on team finish, the percentage chance of being selected in the 2012 Scotiabank NHL® Draft Lottery is:

Columbus Blue Jackets – 25.0%
Edmonton Oilers – 18.8%
Montreal Canadiens – 14.2%
New York Islanders – 10.7%
Toronto Maple Leafs – 8.1%
Anaheim Ducks – 6.2%
Minnesota Wild – 4.7%
Carolina Hurricanes – 3.6%
Winnipeg Jets – 2.7%
Tampa Bay Lightning – 2.1%
Washington Capitals (from Colorado) – 1.5%
Buffalo Sabres – 1.1%
Dallas Stars – 0.8%
Calgary Flames – 0.5%

The 2012 NHL Draft will take place at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The first round will take place on Friday, June 22 commencing at 7 p.m., ET and the subsequent rounds (two through seven) will begin at 10 a.m., ET, on Saturday, June 23.

###

Filed Under: NHL

Every Game. Every Night. Because It’s The Cup.

April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Every Stanley Cup Playoff game to be televised nationally for first time

NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and NHL Network to carry games

NBC & NBC Sports Network to provide Stanley Cup Final coverage for 7th straight year

NBC Sports Group exclusivity begins with Conference Semifinals

PRESS EVENT SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY

 

NEW YORK – April 4, 2012 – For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group will provide unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 105 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

In addition, five Comcast SportsNets will surround their local teams with live event and/or news coverage, and NBCSports.com will provide comprehensive online coverage of the playoffs with online-only video, contributions from Comcast SportsNet insiders, and constant news updates from ProHockeyTalk.

“The NBC Sports Group is proud to employ all of its assets – broadcast, cable, regional and digital – to surround the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and provide fans and viewers with more live-event and news coverage than any previous post-season in NHL history,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.

The playoffs begin one week from today on Wednesday, April 11. A Conference Quarterfinal television schedule will be released Sunday or Monday following the conclusion of the 2011-12 regular season.

Below is a round-by-round preview of this year’s playoff coverage.

***************************************************************

PRESS EVENT

On Monday, April 9, the NBC Sports Group and NHL will provide access to executives, commentators and players in preparation for the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Detailed information will be released shortly.

****************************************************************

CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

For the first time in league history, every first-round playoff game will be televised on a national platform. In order to televise as many as four games on a given day/night, the NBC Sports Group will utilize NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network to carry Conference Quarterfinal games.

The NBC Sports Network will be the primary home of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, offering coverage of one or two games virtually every night of the first round. CNBC and the NHL Network will also provide live event coverage in primetime. NBC will present exclusive afternoon coverage during the weekends of April 14-15 and April 21-22. Games airing on NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network will be subject to local blackouts in the first round.

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

The NBC Sports Group’s Stanley Cup Playoff exclusivity begins with the Conference Semifinal round for the first time. Beginning in the second round and continuing through the Stanley Cup Final, all games will air exclusively on either NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC or the NHL Network.

The NBC Sports Network will serve as the primary home for Conference Semifinal coverage, offering one or two games virtually every night of the second round. CNBC and the NHL Network will again provide live event coverage in primetime, although more infrequently than in the first round. NBC will present exclusive afternoon coverage during the weekends of April 28-29 and May 5-6.

CONFERENCE FINALS

NBC and the NBC Sports Network will team to provide exclusive coverage of the Conference Finals. NBC will broadcast a game each day on the weekend of May 19-20. The remaining games from both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals will be televised exclusively on the NBC Sports Network.

STANLEY CUP FINAL

For the seventh consecutive year, NBC and the NBC Sports Network (formerly VERSUS) will provide exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final. NBC will broadcast Games 1-2 and Games 5-7 (if necessary), with NBC Sports Network televising Games 3-4.

· Last year’s Stanley Cup Final seven-game series, which featured the Boston Bruins defeating the Vancouver Canucks to claim their first championship since 1972, (Games 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 on NBC and Games 3, 4 on VERSUS) averaged 4.6 million viewers and a household rating of 2.7/5, surpassing the 2004 series (3.3 million, 2.2/4 on ABC/ESPN) as the most-watched combined network/cable Stanley Cup involving a Canadian team ever and up 39 percent from that series

· Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, which saw the Boston Bruins defeat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-0, was watched by 8.54 million people on NBC, making it the most-watched NHL game in 38 years, according to The Nielsen Company

PRE-GAME & POST-GAME COVERAGE

NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s NHL pre-game show, will air every game night at 6:30 p.m. ET. NHL Post-Game will air a 30-minute program following the conclusion of game coverage every night of the playoffs.

COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE

Comcast SportsNet, the local home for the Blackhawks, Capitals, Flyers and Sharks, will air comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (for its teams that advance to the post-season), including exclusive regional coverage of all first-round games with pre- and post-game shows.

For teams that advance past the first round, the regional networks will closely follow hometown playoff progress with pre- and post-game coverage as well as breaking news and analysis throughout each team’s playoff run.

Comcast SportsNet New England will air special pre- and post-game coverage for all Bruins games throughout the playoffs, as well as in-depth coverage and analysis of the team’s playoff run throughout all CSNNE programming and online at CSNNE.com.

NBCSPORTS.COM

NBCSports.com’s fast-growing ProHockeyTalk, which has experienced a 140% increase in unique visitors and a 289% in page views compared to last season, will anchor NBC Sports’ online and mobile coverage of the NHL Playoffs.

Featuring writers Jason Brough & Mike Halford, ProHockeyTalk provides unique, informative and entertaining news, commentary and analysis– updated around the clock — on all the stories surrrounding the NHL Playoffs. ProHockeyTalk is also an integral part of the popular NBC Sports Talk app. Other NBCSports.com features will include:

  • The debut of PHT Extra, a multiple-times-a-week. online-only. video segment, featuring ProHockeyTalk’s Brough and Halford
  • Online-only videos featuring NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network hockey commentators previewing upcoming playoff games and wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day
  • Content provided by Comcast SportsNet NHL insiders
  • An NHL Playoffs Channel Finder tool that will help fans locate the times and stations for every NHL playoff broadcast
  • “Second screen” companion programming on NBCSports.com for games airing on NBC will include live, in-game video highlights; a live chat with ProHockeyTalk’s Brough & Halford; “Star Cams” featuring alternating, video coverage of the best players on each team, and a newly-introduced “Spotlight Cam,” a just-above-ice-level/center ice look at the action

SOCIAL MEDIA

In addition to broadcast, cable, regional and digital platforms, the NBC Sports Group will connect with NHL fans via numerous social media initiatives, including social integration, on-air integration and news:

  • Social Integration:
    • #StanleyCup Hash Tag: NHL Fans can join the conversation by using the #StanleyCup hash tag across every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
    • Milestone Mania: With the launch of the new Facebook Timeline, fans can explore and answer Stanley Cup Playoffs trivia questions
    • NHL on NBC Sports Instagram: NHL fans can upload photos to Instagram and use #instahockey. The NHL on NBC Sports Instagram account “Because It’s the Cup” will feature the best fan photos
    • Live Twitter Chats: Fans will have the opportunity to have live Twitter chats with NHL and NBC Sports personalities and commentators throughout the playoffs
    • PHT Top 10 Countdown – The writers at ProHockeyTalk are providing their Top 10 moments from last year’s playoffs for NHL on NBC Sports’ social platforms.
  • On-Air Integration:
    • Playoff Polls: Fans can weigh in on a variety of NHL themed polls on Facebook and Twitter that commentators will discuss throughout the broadcasts
    • #MVPonNBC – During pre-game, post-game and in-game coverage, fans can tweet who they think the #MVPonNBC is. Commentators will discuss the fan favorites and weigh in with their own opinions.
  • News:
    • Fans can engange with Twitter (@NHLonNBCSports) and Facebook (facebook.com/NHLonNBCSports) to receive the most up to date tune-in information, scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk.

 

–NBC Sports Group–

 

Filed Under: NBC, NBC Sports Network, NHL

Race To The NHL Playoffs Heats Up On NBC Sports Network With Double-Header This Sunday

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

NBC Sports Network to Present Three Double-Headers & Seven Games Total Sunday-Wednesday

Exclusive Coverage of Minnesota at Washington, 5 p.m. ET followed by Nashville at Chicago at 7:30 p.m. ET

NEW YORK – (Mar. 21, 2012) – The NBC Sports Group continues its NHL coverage beginning with a double-header Sunday on the NBC Sports Network. First, a battle of East meets West when the Washington Capitals host the Minnesota Wild at 5:00 p.m. ET. Then, the Nashville Predators travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks in a Western Conference primetime battle at 7:30 p.m. ET. It’s the first of three double-headers and seven games overall in four nights on NBC Sports Network.

The NBC Sports Network continues NHL coverage on Mon., March 26, at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Philadelphia Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning, then on Tues., March 27, in Boston when the Bruins take on the Lightning at 10 p.m. ET. The week concludes with exclusive coverage of the Columbus Blue Jackets as they host the Detroit Red Wings on Wed., March 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The NBC Sports Network will also air bonus games on Mon. and Wed. nights, when the Los Angeles Kings head to Vancouver to battle the Canucks at 10 p.m. ET, and the Anaheim Ducks host the San Jose Sharks at 10 p.m. ET, respectively. The two non-exclusive telecasts will be subject to local blackouts.

The team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call the action for Sunday’s game in Washington, and Dave Strader (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call the game in Chicago. Emrick and McGuire will call Monday’s primetime coverage, with Mike Milbury (analyst) joining Strader and Engblom for Tuesday’s game in Boston. Liam McHugh hosts NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s pre- and post-game studio show, and is joined by expert analysts Milbury and Keith Jones. NHL Live pre and post coverage telecasts will welcome Jeremy Roenick, Mike Keenan and McGuire next week as guest analysts.

NBCSPORTS.COM: NBCSports.com continues to be the online destination for hockey fans. NHL content areas on the site include ProHockeyTalk, one of NBCSports.com’s popular “Sports Talk” sites that provide fans with day-to-day coverage of the league with sharp analysis on every angle for all the big stories of the day. NBCSports.com also has exclusive NHL videos wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day.

NBC Sports Group hockey schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Game Time Network

Sun., March 25 Minnesota at Washington 5:00 p.m. NBCSN

Sun., March 25 Nashville at Chicago 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Mon., March 26 Tampa Bay at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Mon., March 26 Los Angeles at Vancouver 10:00 p.m. NBCSN

Tues., March 27 Tampa Bay at Boston 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Wed., March 28 Detroit at Columbus 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Wed., March 28 San Jose at Anaheim 10:00 p.m. NBCSN

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: NBC, NHL

NBC Sports Group’s NHL Coverage Continues With Four Consecutive Nights Of Hockey

March 7, 2012 By

Boston at Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC; Los Angeles at Chicago, 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

“The Penguins and Bruins have both had significant injuries – the Penguins have fought through, the Bruins haven’t yet.” – Mike “Doc” Emrick

Hockey East Tournament coverage begins with Quarterfinal matchup between #1 Boston College and UMASS

NEW YORK – (Mar. 7, 2012) – The NBC Sports Group continues its NHL coverage with Sunday’s NHL Game of the Week on NBC featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Northeast Division-leading Boston Bruins at 12:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the NBC Sports Network airs a Western Conference showdown in primetime between the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks at 8 p.m. ET.

The NBC Sports Network continues NHL coverage on Mon., March 12, at 9 p.m. ET when the Colorado Avalanche host the Anaheim Ducks and on Tues., March 13 in New York when the New York Rangers take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:30 p.m. ET. The week concludes with exclusive coverage of the Buffalo Sabres as they host the Avalanche on Wed., March 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call the action for Sunday’s game on NBC, and NBC Sports Network’s Wednesday night game. Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call Sunday night’s game in Chicago. John Ahlers (play-by-play) and McGuire will call Monday’s primetime coverage, with Strader and Engblom teaming up again for Tuesday’s game in New York. Liam McHugh and analyst Mike Milbury will cover all the intermissions for NBC Sports’ coverage. Additionally, McHugh hosts NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s pre- and post-game studio show, and is joined by expert analysts Milbury and Keith Jones. John Walton (play-by-play) and Ken Hodge (analyst) handle college hockey for NBC Sports Network.

NHL 36: NBC Sports Network premieres the second installment of the all-access series “NHL 36” by profiling Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal, tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET. The show, produced by NHL Original Productions, leads into NBC Sports Network’s exclusive coverage of tonight’s Penguins’ home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

NBCSPORTS.COM: NBCSports.com continues to be the online destination for hockey fans. The website streams each NHL Game of the Week, allowing users to follow all the action and providing them with special features like “Star-Cam,” which follows marquee players throughout the game. NHL content areas on the site include ProHockeyTalk, one of NBCSports.com’s popular “Sports Talk” sites that provide fans with day-to-day coverage of the league with sharp analysis on every angle for all the big stories of the day. NBCSports.com also has exclusive NHL videos wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day.

NBC Sports Group hockey schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Game Time Network

Fri., March 9 UMASS at #1 Boston College 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Sun., March 11 Boston at Pittsburgh 12:30 p.m. NBC

Sun., March 11 Los Angeles at Chicago 8:00 p.m. NBCSN

Mon., March 12 Anaheim at Colorado 9:00 p.m. NBCSN

Tues., March 13 Carolina at New York Rangers 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Wed., March 14 Colorado at Buffalo 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

***

FRIDAY NIGHT ICE: The NBC Sports Network’s weekly Friday Night Ice college hockey series continues this week with Quarterfinal coverage of the Hockey East Tournament as Boston College, the No. 1 team in the nation, hosts UMASS at 7:30 p.m. ET. Currently, Hockey East’s 10-team conference has five teams ranked in the top 15 in the country, according to the USA Today/USA Hockey poll.

NBC Sports Network continues Hockey East tourney coverage next weekend by presenting both Semifinals on Friday, March 16 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET, as well as the Final on Sat., March 17 at 8 p.m. ET.

Hockey East Tournament (all times ET)

March 9 Quarterfinals 7:30 p.m.

-UMASS at No. 1 Boston College

March 16 Semifinals 5:00 p.m. and 8 p.m.

March 17 Finals 8:00 p.m.

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: NBC, NBC Sports Network, NHL

Five Games In Four Days Highlights NBC Sports Group’s NHL Coverage

March 2, 2012 By

Boston at New York Rangers, 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC; Philadelphia at Washington, 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

“This is a battle between the defending Stanley Cup Champs and the team that thinks they can replace them…we are in for a memorable afternoon.” — Pierre McGuire

“Friday Night Ice” college hockey features #9 Denver at Nebraska-Omaha

NEW YORK – (Mar. 1, 2012) – The NBC Sports Group continues its NHL coverage beginning with Sunday’s NHL Game of the Week on NBC when the Atlantic Division-leading New York Rangers host the Northeast Division-leading and defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins at 12:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the NBC Sports Network will air primetime coverage of the Flyers taking on the Capitals at 7 p.m. ET in a game featuring two teams fighting for playoff positioning.

The NBC Sports Network continues coverage on Mon., March 5, at 8 p.m. ET when the Buffalo Sabres face the Winnipeg Jets and on Tues., March 6 at 9 p.m. ET when the Minnesota Wild take on the Colorado Avalanche. The week concludes with exclusive coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wed., March 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call the action for Sunday’s game on NBC, and Emrick and McGuire will cover NBC Sports Network’s Wednesday night game. Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call Sunday’s game in Washington. Gord Miller (play-by-play) and McGuire will serve as announcers for Monday’s primetime coverage, with Strader and Engblom teaming up again for Tuesday’s game in Colorado. Liam McHugh and analyst Mike Milbury will be covering all the intermissions for NBC Sports’ coverage. Additionally, McHugh hosts NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s pre- and post-game studio show, and is joined by expert analysts Milbury and Keith Jones. Ron Vaccaro (play-by-play) and Ken Hodge (analyst) will handle college hockey for NBC Sports Network.

FRIDAY NIGHT ICE: The NBC Sports Network’s weekly college hockey series, Friday Night Ice, resumes this Friday when No. 9 Denver faces off against Nebraska-Omaha at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NHL 36: On March 7, NBC Sports Network will air the second installment of the all-access series “NHL 36”, profiling Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal. The show, produced by the NHL Original Productions, will air at 6:30 p.m. ET and leads into NBC Sports Network’s exclusive coverage of the Penguins’ home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

NBCSPORTS.COM: NBCSports.com continues to be the online destination for hockey fans. The website continues to stream the NHL Game of the Week, allowing users to follow all the action and providing them with special features like “Star-Cam,” which follows marquee players throughout the game. NHL content areas on the site include ProHockeyTalk, one of NBCSports.com’s popular “Sports Talk” platforms, where fans can get the most up-to-date news and events. NBCSports.com also has exclusive NHL videos wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day.

NBC Sports Group hockey schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Game Time Network

Fri., March 2 #9 Denver at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Sun., March 4 Boston at New York Rangers 12:30 p.m. NBC

Sun., March 4 Philadelphia at Washington 7:00 p.m. NBCSN

Mon., March 5 Buffalo at Winnipeg 8:00 p.m. NBCSN

Tues., March 6 Minnesota at Colorado 9:00 p.m. NBCSN

Wed., March 7 Toronto at Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

Filed Under: NBC, NBC Sports Network, NHL

NHL.com, NHL Network And NHL Social Focus Attention On NHL Trade Deadline Day 2012

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

NHL Media Platforms to Deliver Complete, Up-To-The-Minute Coverage and Analysis on One of the Hockey Calendar’s Most-Anticipated Days

NEW YORK (February 24, 2012) – To satisfy its fans’ ever-increasing demand for the latest “Deadline Day” trade news and analysis, the National Hockey League will mobilize all of its media platforms to provide more coverage than ever of all the suspense, drama and intrigue. By tuning into NHL Network, logging onto NHL.com or connecting with NHL Social, fans can follow all the action leading up to Monday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline — and then engage in the post-deadline analysis and conversation as the stretch run for the Stanley Cup Playoffs kicks into high gear.

Beginning at 8 a.m. ET, NHL Network U.S. will simulcast TSN’s 10-hour flagship show, TradeCentre ’12. Host James Duthie will be joined by a team of hockey analysts, insiders, former NHL players, coaches and general managers, as TradeCentre ‘12 provides breaking news and instant assessment of each transaction. Correspondents in various NHL markets will report the news and interview the general managers, coaches and players at the center of it all. Broadcasting live from the NHL Network’s New York studio, Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek will add their own unique analysis and updates.

Immediately following TradeCentre ’12, NHL Network will bring together an impressive panel of hockey insiders for NHL Network Trade Deadline Day Recap Presented by BlackBerry.This 90-minute show will provide reactions from general managers and players while the panelists assess the impact of the Deadline Day deals on the playoff push and beyond. Kathryn Tappen will host NHL Network Trade Deadline Day Recap Presented by BlackBerry and will be joined by former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes, NHL insider Hradek, Canadian Press hockey correspondent Chris Johnston, former NHL scout and general manager Craig Button and former NHL player and coach Barry Melrose.

Coverage continues at 7:30 p.m. ET with NHL on the Fly featuring David Amber, Billy Jaffe, Mike Johnson and Button. NHL Tonight wraps up the day-long coverage at 10 p.m. with Tappen, Weekes and Johnson at the desk.

Complete NHL Network Schedule for Monday, Feb. 27
8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. TSN’s TradeCentre ‘12 (U.S. only)
6:00-7:30 p.m. NHL Network Trade Deadline Day Recap Presented by BlackBerry
7:30-10:00 p.m. NHL On The Fly
10 p.m. NHL Tonight

NHL.com
NHL.com, the League’s official destination on the Web, will be a one-stop hub of Trade Deadline news and information, available at nhl.com/tradedeadline. In addition to reporting on breaking news through stories and video reports, NHL.com will provide fans with live streaming video from NHL Network’s coverage of Trade Deadline news and information for those who are not near a television during the day.

Visitors to NHL.com on Trade Deadline Day can expect:

· More than seven hours of live streaming video from NHL Network beginning at Noon ET (portions available in U.S. only)
· An all-day “Cover It Live” chat featuring NHL.com writers and NHL Network personalities, with fan questions and interactive polls
· Instant trade analysis video reports
· A real-time Trade Tracker list of completed trades, with written features and analysis from the editorial team and correspondents reporting back from nearly every NHL market
· A Trade Deadline Diary documenting all the trades and coverage throughout the day
· Hourly video updates from NHL analyst E.J. Hradek
· Exclusive stories, analysis and reactions covering every move and what each means for the remaining weeks of the regular season

NHL Social
The Trade Deadline chatter on Twitter and Facebook will be everywhere. Those participating in the day’s conversation are asked to use #NHLTrade – the official NHL hashtag for Trade Deadline Day. Those who follow @NHL on Twitter or “like” the NHL on Facebook will be informed of all official trades, while a number of NHL Network hosts and analysts and NHL.com writers will comment throughout the day with Trade Deadline-related content.

NHL Twitter Accounts:
Adam Kimelman ‏ @NHLAdamK
Billy Jaffe @bjaffe
Brian Compton ‏ @BComptonNHL
Brian Duff ‏ @dufferNHLN
Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Corey Masisak ‏ @cmasisak22
Craig Button ‏ @CraigJButton
Dan Rosen ‏ @drosennhl
Dave Lozo ‏ @DaveLozo
David Amber @DavidAmber
Deb Kaufman Placey ‏ @DebPlacey
EJ Hradek ‏ @EJHradek_NHL
Jeremy Roenick @Jeremy_Roenick
Kathryn Tappen ‏ @KathrynTappen
Kevin Weekes ‏ @KevinWeekes
Mike Johnson ‏ @mike_p_johnson
Mike Morreale ‏ @mike_morreale
Shawn Roarke ‏ @sroarke_nhl

#### (2/24/2012)

Filed Under: NHL, NHL Network

Hockey Day In America’s Regional Coverage Sets Ratings & Viewership Milestones

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Rating ties for best in eight years for NHL regular-season game, excluding Winter Classics; Viewership is best in six years for non-Winter Classic

NEW YORK – Feb. 24, 2012 – NBC Sports’ regional coverage during Sunday’s Hockey Day in America — highlighted by the Detroit Red Wings NHL-record 23rd home win in a row, a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks — tied for the best NHL regular-season rating in eight years, excluding Winter Classics, and was the most-watched coverage for a non-Winter Classic in six years.

The regional coverage (12:30-3:14 p.m. ET) — consisting of San Jose at Detroit, Pittsburgh at Buffalo, and St. Louis at Chicago — generated a 1.3 rating/3 share, up 30 percent compared to last year’s regional coverage (1.0/3), and tied with Jan. 14, 2006 (three-game regional on NBC) as the best rating for NHL regular-season game coverage in eight years, excluding Winter Classics (Jan. 10, 2004; 1.4 rating; three-game regional on ABC).

The regional coverage averaged 1.94 million viewers, the most since 1.96 million for regional coverage on NBC on Jan. 14, 2006. It was also up 26 percent compared to last year’s Hockey Day regional coverage (1.54 million).

ABOUT HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA

Created in 2011 by the NBC Sports Group, Hockey Day in America celebrates the sport of hockey in the United States with six-plus hours of coverage. This year, NBC Sports wove the stories of America’s affinity for hockey into and around its coverage of four NHL games (three regional and one national), which included interviewing and highlighting U.S. players. Hockey Day in America is part of Hockey Weekend Across America. Launched by USA Hockey in 2008, Hockey Weekend Across America is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the game and those involved at all levels, and to expose hockey to new audiences.

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: NBC, NHL, Ratings

Penguins’ James Neal Is Latest Player To Be Featured On “NHL 36″

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“NHL36: James Neal” Will Air on NBC Sports Network on March 7 at 6:30 p.m., ET

NEW YORK (Feb. 24, 2012) – The National Hockey League (NHL®) and NHL Original Productions announced today that Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal will be the next player profiled on the all-access series “NHL 36.” NHL Original Productions cameras will join Neal tomorrow morning and follow him for the next 36 hours as he and the Penguins host afternoon games on consecutive days — Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning (1 p.m. ET, NHL Network US) and Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Neal joined the Penguins just before last year’s Trade Deadline and scored only one goal in 20 regular-season games. With 22 games remaining in the 2011-12 campaign, he has 30 goals and 57 points and has established career highs in both categories. Earlier this week, Neal signed a six-season, $30-million contract.

NHL 36: James Neal will air Wednesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m., Eastern, on NBC Sports Network. Later that evening, NBC Sports Network will air the Penguins’ home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NHL 36: James Neal will re-air on the NBC Sports Network on the following dates (all times Eastern): Wednesday, Mar. 7 (10:30 p.m.); Thursday, Mar. 8 (4 p.m.); Friday, Mar. 9 (3 p.m.); Sunday, Mar. 11 (2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) and Monday, Mar. 12 (8 p.m.). The show also will air in the United States and Canada on NHL Network™ on Sunday, Mar. 11 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.); Wednesday, Mar. 14 (8:30 p.m.); Saturday, Mar. 17 (5 p.m.) and Sunday, Mar. 18 (9 p.m.).

NHL Original Productions is the latest collaboration between the NHL and renowned executive producer Ross Greenburg – an alliance that produced two critically acclaimed programs on HBO: Broad Street Bullies and the Emmy Award-winning 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic®. Throughout the year, NHL Original Productions will develop long- and short-form hockey programming for use by the League’s media platforms (NHL Network and NHL.com) as well as national and regional rights-holders.

### (2/24/12)

Filed Under: NBC Sports Network, NHL

Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile is Today’s Guest on “NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman”

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

  NEW YORK (February 23, 2012) – David Poile, President of Hockey Operations/General Manager of the Nashville Predators, will be today’s guest on NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman. The show, which encourages fans to call in with questions, airs Thursdays on NHL Network, NHL.com and on Sirius XM Radio at 6 p.m., ET.  

        Poile, who earlier this week received a contract extension from the Predators, remains the only GM in the history of the franchise, which entered the League for the 1998-99 season. Prior to that, he spent 15 seasons as GM of the Washington Capitals and five seasons as assistant GM for the Calgary Flames.

The Predators, who host the Central Division rival Blues tonight, are fifth in the Western Conference with 76 points, three behind St. Louis. They are aiming for their seventh playoff appearance in the last eight seasons.

        NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman broadcasts live on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network, NHL.com and NHL Home Ice (channel 92 on XM and channel 207 on Sirius Premier). The show will re-air on Sirius XM Radio, with archived shows available for download via podcast on NHL.com.  

        The show encourages fans to call in with questions. To submit questions to NHL Hour call 1-877-NHL-ON-XM (1-877-645-6696).  

Filed Under: NHL, Sirius/XM

NBC Sports Celebrates Hockey Across The U.S. With Second Annual “Hockey Day In America” Presented By Mcdonald’s

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Stories throughout day to explore hockey’s influence and impact in America

Nine hours of NHL coverage includes three regional games at Noon ET plus Bruins at Wild at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by Devils at Canadiens at 6 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

 

NEW YORK – Feb. 14, 2012 – NBC Sports will once again celebrate hockey in the United States with the second annual “Hockey Day in America” presented by McDonald’s this Sunday from Noon-6 p.m. ET on NBC. Immediately following “Hockey Day in America,” NBC Sports Network will present the New Jersey Devils at the Montreal Canadiens at 6 p.m. ET to conclude a nine-hour NHL block of programming across the broadcast and cable platforms of the NBC Sports Group.

From legendary high school hockey rivalries to the physically challenged who drive for hours to play their favorite sport to “The Program” that changed the game forever for the U.S. hockey elite, NBC Sports will weave the stories of America’s affinity for hockey into and around its coverage of four NHL games (three regional and one national), which will include interviewing and highlighting U.S. players. Among the stories scheduled to be told on Sunday:

Roseau High School vs. Warroad High School: It’s a “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere whenever Roseau (population 2,633) and Warroad (1,781) meet in Minnesota high school hockey. Considering their relatively small populations, the two schools near the Canadian border have produced a disproportionately large number of NHL players. Neal Broten is one of three brothers from Roseau to play in the NHL, and he also was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Warroad boasts a similar crop of NHL and former Olympic players.

Tampa Bay Lightning Sled Hockey: Through the Lightning Foundation, Tampa Bay was the first in the NHL to fund a community sled hockey program for the physically challenged. The program is so successful that numerous NHL teams have emulated it with participants of all ages traveling from across the state of Florida, some traveling up to six hours, to take to the ice with the Lightning sled hockey team.

The Program: Arguably nothing has had a greater impact on the growth and success of American-born hockey players as “The Program’” enacted in 1996 by USA Hockey. The National Team Development Program was founded with a dual goal: to provide a viable domestic alternative for elite American players who might otherwise opt for top Canadian junior leagues, and to improve U.S. results in international play. Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane is one of the Ann Arbor, Mich., program’s many success stories. At the Vancouver Games, the U.S. won a silver medal by fielding the youngest roster in the tournament, complete with seven NTDP alums, including Kane.

Liam McHugh, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury will anchor NBC Sports’ live pre-game and early-game intermission coverage from the Wells Fargo WinterSkate rink in downtown St. Paul, Minn. Olczyk (analyst) and McGuire (Inside the Glass analyst) will then move inside to join Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) for the call of Bruins-Wild.

Calling the early games on NBC will be Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (Inside the Glass analyst) for Penguins-Sabres; Ken Daniels (play-by-play) and Darren Pang (Inside the Glass analyst) for Sharks-Red Wings; and Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (Inside the Glass analyst) for Blues-Blackhawks. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Andy Brickley will call Devils-Canadiens (Inside the Glass analyst) for NBC Sports Network.

Sunday’s games on NBC and NBC Sports Network:

Noon-3 pm ET NBC Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres (regional)

NBC San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings (regional)

NBC St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks (regional)

3-6 pm ET NBC Boston Bruins at Minnesota Wild (national)

6-9 pm ET NBCSN New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens (national)

“Hockey Day in America” is part of “Hockey Weekend Across America.” Launched by USA Hockey in 2008, “Hockey Weekend Across America” is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the game and those involved at all levels and to expose hockey to new audiences.

NBC Sports experienced ratings success last year with the inaugural “Hockey Day in America.” Coverage of last year’s national game, Penguins-Blackhawks, which went head-to-head with the Daytona 500, was watched by 1.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched non-Winter Classic NHL regular-season game in five years (1/14/06, three-game regional on NBC, 2.0 million).

–Hockey Day in America–

Filed Under: NBC, NHL
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