Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

NHL Network U.S. To Broadcast Team USA Quest For Historic Gold Medal Repeat At 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship

By

NHL NETWORK U.S. TO BROADCAST TEAM USA QUEST FOR HISTORIC GOLD MEDAL REPEAT AT 2011 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Renowned Play-By-Play Broadcaster Gary Thorne To Call The Action

NEW YORK, NY / COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 21, 2010) — For the first time in six years, the IIHF World Junior Championship returns to U.S. soil, and NHL Network™ U.S. will be there every step of the way in host city Buffalo, N.Y., as Team USA attempts to defend its title. Last year, the U.S. team defeated Canada, 6-5, in overtime of a thrilling gold medal final in Saskatoon. If Team USA is able to repeat this year, it would be a first for them to achieve back-to-back titles, and a first to capture a championship on home soil.

NHL Network U.S. will provide exclusive live coverage of the U.S. National Junior Team games at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. NHL Network also will televise all medal-round games and five additional preliminary-round match-ups, airing a total of 15 games in high-definition from the tournament, and provide nightly re-caps in its signature show “NHL On the Fly.” All USA games will be NHL Network original broadcasts.

The tournament’s popularity stems from its reputation as a showcase for the game’s best up-and-coming young players from around the world. Many current NHL stars have played in the tournament; an abbreviated list includes Sidney Crosby, Mike Richards and Jarome Iginla for Canada; Patrick Kane, Zach Parise and Bobby Ryan for the United States; Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk for Russia; Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and the Sedin twins for Sweden; Martin Havlat, Milan Hejduk and Tomas Kaberle for the Czech Republic; Teemu Selanne and the Koivu brothers for Finland and Marian Hossa, Marian Gaborik and Jaroslav Halak for Slovakia.

Many players who will take to the ice in this year’s tournament are very close to realizing their dream of an NHL career — no fewer than 25 players who played in last year’s competition already have made their League debut.

Broadcast Team

Gary Thorne, Dave Starman, Fred Pletsch and Billy Jaffe will make up the broadcast team for the NHL Network’s coverage of Team USA’s games.

Thorne, who will handle play-by-play duties, boasts over 30 years of sports broadcasting experience. He served a 12-year stint (1992-2004) as the voice of ESPN’s NHL telecasts and was also the lead hockey play-by-play voice of NBC’s 2002 Olympic Winter Games coverage. Thorne currently serves as the play-by-play voice for Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles, and provides play-by-play for Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio.

Starman, who will serve as the analyst, is currently the lead analyst for CBS College Sports coverage of NCAA hockey. He served as the analyst for the NHL Network’s coverage of Team USA’s games at the 2009 and 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, as well.

Pletsch, who will serve as the rinkside reporter in the preliminary round for the third straight year, is in his 11th season as an analyst on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Game of the Week on Fox Sports Detroit. He has also worked as a sideline reporter for ESPN during the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship and is currently the associate commissioner of the Central College Hockey Association.

Billy Jaffe, who will serve as the rinkside reporter for the medal round, regularly contributes the popular “NHL Live!” show simulcast on Sirius XM Radio and NHL Network, the Network’s “NHL On the Fly,” and serves as the color analyst and in-studio for NHL on VERSUS.

NHL.com Coverage

NHL.com will cover all angles of the 2011 World Junior Championship, from an in-depth, country-by-country tournament preview to a look back at the 2005 WJC, when Canada invaded Grand Forks, N.D. to battle the defending champion Team USA on its home turf — the last time the event was staged in the United States. NHL.com also will unveil its all-time World Junior Championship team. NHL.com will have live coverage of every game at the tournament, as well as an all-encompassing blog of all the happenings in Buffalo starting Dec. 26. Full coverage of the 2011 World Junior Championship can be found at NHL.com as well as NHL.com/Draft.

A full NHL Network-U.S. / 2011 IIHF World Junior broadcast schedule is below.

2011 IIHF World Junior Championship – NHL Network-U.S. Broadcast Schedule
Dec. 26 – Jan. 5, Buffalo, N.Y.

A full NHL Network-U.S. / 2011 IIHF World Junior broadcast schedule is below.

2011 IIHF World Junior Championship – NHL Network-U.S. Broadcast Schedule
Dec. 26 – Jan. 5, Buffalo, N.Y.

Date        Game        Time (EST)

Sun., Dec. 26        Russia vs. Canada        4 p.m.
Finland vs. USA 8 p.m.

Tues., Dec. 28        Canada vs. Czech Republic        4 p.m.
USA vs. Slovakia 8 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 29        Norway vs. Canada        7:30 p.m.

Thurs., Dec. 30        Sweden vs. Czech Republic        3 p.m.
Germany vs. USA 7 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 31        Canada vs. Sweden        4 p.m.
USA vs. Switzerland 8 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 2        Quarterfinal #1        3:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal #2*        7:30 p.m.

Mon., Jan. 3        Semifinal #1        3:30 p.m.
Semifinal #2*        7:30 p.m.

Wed., Jan. 5        Bronze-Medal Game        3:30 p.m.
Gold-Medal Game        7:30 p.m.

*If qualified, USA will play at this time slot

NHL Network is a trademark of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.
### (12/21/2010)

NHL Network U.S. to Broadcast Penguins-Capitals Showdown on December 23

By

NHL NETWORK U.S. TO BROADCAST PENGUINS-CAPITALS SHOWDOWN ON DEC. 23
Teams Set the Stage for 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day

NEW YORK (December 21, 2010) – NHL Network U.S. will televise a clash between two of the NHL‘s hottest rivals on Thursday, Dec. 23, only a week before the teams meet again in one of the NHL’s coldest games of the season — the highly-anticipated 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. For fans in the United States, NHL Network will provide live coverage when Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals play host to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, December 23 at 7 p.m. ET.

Thursday’s game, broadcast in high definition from Washington’s Verizon Center, will pit a Capitals’ team that has struggled in the past month against a Pittsburgh team that recently won 12 straight games. Nevertheless, with a victory Sunday night in Ottawa, Washington trails Pittsburgh by only four points in the Eastern Conference standings.

NHL Network will broadcast the game beginning at 7 p.m. with an abbreviated pre-game show before the puck drop. Brian Duff, host of NHL Network’s daily signature program NHL On The Fly, will be joined by former NHL goaltender and On The Fly analyst Kevin Weekes. The duo also will host full intermission reports with game analysis, highlights and interviews with key players. NHL On The Fly will immediately follow the game.

The game will re-air on NHL Network U.S. on Friday, December 24 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

NHL Network U.S. will air a number of live games this season including a “flex” schedule of games later in the season to guarantee viewers key matchups with playoff implications. Live game action from every NHL market is spread over multiple days per week throughout the regular season. Local blackout regulations will apply to all live games and game replays.

NHL Network – U.S. December 23 Programming Schedule (all times ET)
Noon NHL Live!
2:00 p.m. HD Classics: 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinal (Pittsburgh @ Washington, Game 2)
4:00 p.m. NHL Power Play
6:00 p.m. Off The Ice: Sidney Crosby
6:30 p.m. An Ovechkin Ovation: Alex’s Greatest Goals
7:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals
9:30 p.m. NHL On The Fly

About NHL NETWORK
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers. For more information log on to www.nhlnetwork.com.

###12/21/10

NHL Network U.S. To Broadcast Live AHL Games This Season

By

NHL NETWORK U.S. TO BROADCAST LIVE AHL GAMES THIS SEASON

NEW YORK (October 13, 2010) – The NHL Network U.S. will put the developing talents of many of  the game’s top young players on display this season when it broadcasts 10 American Hockey League games in partnership with the AHL.

Beginning on Oct. 17, when the Toronto Marlies play host to the Binghamton Senators, the NHL Network will broadcast 10 Sunday afternoon games.

The AHL is the sole primary development league for all 30 NHL Clubs and over 85 percent of current NHL players are AHL alumni – including 2010 Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, who was 2005 AHL goaltender of the year for Rochester, and 2010 Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks, who played two AHL seasons with Norfolk.

In addition to Toronto and Binghamton, future NHL Network broadcasts of AHL games will feature the Hamilton Bulldogs, Abbotsford Heat, Manitoba Moose and the inaugural edition of the Oklahoma City Barons.

The NHL Network’s U.S. schedule of AHL broadcasts:

Day         Date         Visiting Team        Home Team        Time (ET)
Sun        Oct. 17, 2010        Binghamton        Toronto        1pm
Sun        Oct. 24, 2010        Oklahoma City        Hamilton        1pm
Sun        Nov. 21, 2010        Hamilton        Toronto        1pm
Sun        Dec. 12, 2010        Toronto        Hamilton        1pm
Sun        Jan. 16, 2011        Toronto        Abbotsford        2pm
Sun        Jan. 23, 2011        Abbotsford        Manitoba        1pm
Sun        Feb. 27, 2011        Manitoba        Toronto        1pm
Sun        Mar. 6, 2011        Hamilton        Toronto        TBD
Sun        Mar. 27, 2011        Abbotsford        Manitoba        1pm
Sun        Apr. 3, 2011        Manitoba        Toronto        TBD
About NHL NETWORK
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The Network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly™ – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable, satellite, or telco providers.  For more information log on to nhlnetwork.com.

###(10/13/10)

NHL Network U.S. Announces 2010-11 LIVE NHL Game Schedule

By

NHL NETWORK U.S. ANNOUNCES 2010-11 LIVE NHL GAME SCHEDULE
Network Televising 78 Live Games Featuring All 30 NHL Clubs, Every Game In HD,
Highlights Include Last Meeting Of Penguins Vs. Capitals Before 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic
“NHL On The Fly” Returns Oct. 4

NEW YORK (October 4, 2010) – NHL Network U.S. will televise 78 live games this season, all in HD, with live game action from every NHL Club spread over multiple days a week throughout the regular season.  Three “flex” games in addition to the 75 listed below will guarantee viewers get the key matchups with playoff implications.  Local blackouts will apply to all live games and game replays.

NHL Network™ U.S. drops the puck on the live 2010-11 NHL® regular-season schedule Saturday, Oct. 9, with a double-header of live games.  First up is San Jose Sharks against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Stockholm, Sweden as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere.  That same night, captain Jonathan Toews and the Stanley Cup® Champion Chicago Blackhawks will raise a new banner to the United Center’s rafters before their first home game for the season against the Detroit Red Wings.  Other highlights from the NHL Network U.S. broadcast schedule include the last meeting between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals before they go head-to-head in the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field.

Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 23 and for the third year in a row, NHL Network U.S. will feature acclaimed programming from CBC’s “Hockey Night In Canada” every Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m., ET.  Fans in the U.S. will continue to see the 30-minute pre-game show “Hockey Tonight,” followed by an early game from the “HNIC” doubleheader including popular segments “Coach’s Corner” with Don Cherry and Ron MacLean and “The Hotstove.”  Post-game of the first match-up will broadcast on the Network in the U.S. until 10 p.m.  The late “HNIC” game along with “After Hours,” will be telecast on NHL Network U.S. Sunday afternoons, on tape-delay.  The “HNIC” games not televised live on NHL Network U.S. will be available on TV on NHL® Center Ice® and NHL GameCenter LIVE,™ the NHL’s digital subscription programming package.

NHL Network’s flagship show, “NHL On The Fly” will return nightly throughout the season starting on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. ET with an Eastern Conference Preview Show.  The Western Conference Preview Show will air the following night, Oct. 5, and on Oct. 6, “NHL On The Fly” will take an in-depth look at the 2010 Compuware Premiere games taking place around Europe.  On Oct. 7, the “NHL On The Fly” crew will broadcast live from the 2010 NHL Face-Off™ in Dundas Square, Toronto from 4 – 7 p.m., followed immediately by a regular full-length program beginning an hour earlier than usual.   “NHL On The Fly” features up-to-the minute hockey information, live look-ins, extended highlights, overtimes and shootouts, real-time scores, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and news conferences.  The nightly highlight show is hosted by David Amber and Brian Duff, with expert analysis from a variety of NHL notables including Kevin Weekes, Gary Green, Craig Button, Mike Johnson, Brad May, Bobby Holik and more.

Highlights of the NHL Network U.S. schedule this season include:

•        Saturday, Oct. 9 – First up, the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the San Jose Sharks at Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere.  Later that night, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks will raise a new banner to the United Center rafters before going up against Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and the Detroit Red Wings.

•        Sunday, Oct. 10 – The Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes will open their seasons in Prague as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere. This will be second of two back-to-back matches between the Bruins and Coyotes in Prague, Czech Republic at O2 Arena.

•        Thursday, Oct. 14 –Dallas’ home opener against the Detroit Red Wings featuring former face of the Stars, Mike Modano – who will wear the famed winged wheel for the first time in his old stomping grounds.

•        Monday, Nov. 1 – A clash of two Original Six teams with the New York Rangers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden.

•        Wednesday, Nov. 24 – It’s a rematch of the 2010 Western Conference Final, with San Jose hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.

•        Thursday, Dec. 2 – Dany Heatley makes his return to Ottawa as a member of the San Jose Sharks.

•        Thursday, Dec. 23 – Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Washington to face Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in a preview of the 2011 Bridgestone / NHL Winter Classic® on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field.

•        Friday, Feb. 18 – Rod Brind’Amour will have his number retired in Carolina as the Hurricanes host the 2010 Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers.

NHL Network U.S. 2010-11 Live Game Broadcast Schedule

October
Saturday, Oct. 9                Columbus vs. San Jose        3 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 9                Detroit @ Chicago                8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 10                Boston vs. Phoenix                10 a.m. ET
Thursday, Oct. 14                Detroit @ Dallas                8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 16                Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia        7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Oct. 21                Washington @ Boston        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 23                Toronto @ Philadelphia        7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Oct. 27                New Jersey @ San Jose         10:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, Oct. 28                Washington @ Minnesota        8:00 p.m. ET
Friday, Oct. 29                Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 30                NY Rangers @ Toronto        7 p.m. ET

November
Monday, Nov. 1                      Chicago @ NY Rangers        7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 3                Toronto @ Washington        7 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 5                Boston @ Washington        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 6                Buffalo @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 7                Philadelphia @ Washington5 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 10        Boston @ Pittsburgh                7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 10        NY Islanders @ Anaheim         10 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 11                Tampa Bay @ Washington         7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 13                Vancouver @        Toronto        7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 14                Anaheim @ Chicago        7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 18                Tampa Bay @Philadelphia         7 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 19                Washington @ Atlanta        7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 20                Toronto @ Montreal                7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 24        Chicago @ San Jose        10:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 25                Colorado @ Edmonton        9 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 27                Buffalo @ Montreal                7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 30                Detroit @ San Jose                10:30 p.m. ET

December
Wednesday, Dec. 1                Washington @ St. Louis        8 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 2                San Jose @ Ottawa                7:30 p.m. ET
Friday, Dec. 3                Vancouver @ Chicago        8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 4                Boston @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 5                Calgary @ Chicago                7 p.m. ET
Friday, Dec. 10                 Montreal @ Detroit                7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 11                Montreal @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 12                Washington @ NY Rangers        7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 16                Boston @ Montreal                7 p.m. ET
Friday, Dec. 17                Detroit @ Chicago                8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 18                Toronto @ Vancouver        7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 19                Los Angeles @ Chicago        7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Dec. 22        Vancouver @ Detroit        7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 23                Pittsburgh @ Washington        7 p.m. ET

January
Saturday, Jan. 1                     Toronto @ Ottawa                7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Jan. 6                Pittsburgh @ Montreal        7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Jan. 12                Washington @ Tampa Bay        7:30 p.m. ET
Friday, Jan. 14                Vancouver @ Washington        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Jan. 15                NY Rangers @ Montreal        7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 16                Nashville @ Chicago        7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Jan. 19                Toronto @ NY Rangers        7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Jan. 20                Pittsburgh @ New Jersey        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Jan. 22                Washington @ Toronto        7 p.m. ET

February
Friday, Feb. 4                Buffalo @ Pittsburgh                7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Feb. 10                Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh        7 p.m. ET
Friday, Feb. 11                Detroit @ Boston                7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Feb. 12                Toronto @ Montreal                7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Feb. 17                Los Angeles @ NY Rangers7 p.m. ET
Friday, Feb. 18                Philadelphia @ Carolina        8 p.m. ET
Saturday, Feb. 19                Ottawa @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Feb. 24                Dallas @ Detroit                7 p.m. ET
Friday, Feb. 25                NY Rangers @ Washington 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Feb. 26                Pittsburgh @ Toronto        7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 27                Phoenix @ Chicago                7 p.m. ET
Monday, Feb. 28                Detroit @ Los Angeles        10:30 p.m. ET

March
Thursday, Mar. 3                St. Louis @ Washington        7 p.m. ET
Friday, Mar. 4                Pittsburgh @ New Jersey        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Mar. 5                Chicago @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Mar. 6                Washington @ Florida        5 p.m. ET
Saturday, Mar. 12                Buffalo @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Friday, Mar. 18                Washington @ New Jersey        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Mar. 19                Boston @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET
Thursday, Mar. 24                Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia        7 p.m. ET
Friday, Mar. 25                New Jersey @ Pittsburgh        7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Mar. 26                Toronto @ Detroit                7 p.m. ET

April
Saturday, April 2                    Toronto @ Ottawa                7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 9                    Montreal @ Toronto                7 p.m. ET

*Schedule subject to change.  Three additional games will be added to this schedule and announced at a later date.

NHL, the NHL Shield and Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and NHL Network, NHL On The Fly and NHL Live are trademarks of the National Hockey League.

NHL Network, NHL Radio and NHL.com Set to Launch 2010-11 Season; “NHL On The Fly” Season Previews Begin Monday Night

By

NHL NETWORK, NHL RADIO AND NHL.COM SET TO LAUNCH 2010-11 SEASON
NHL Network’s “NHL On The Fly” Season Previews Begin Monday Night

NEW YORK/TORONTO (October 1, 2010) – The NHL’s media platforms —  NHL.com, NHL Network™ and NHL Radio, are primed to cover every minute of action for every game during the 1,230-game regular season over the course of the next 200 days, the National Hockey League announced today.

NHL Network’s daily staple for fans, NHL On The Fly, will re-launch on Monday, Oct. 4, at 8:00 pm. ET with a special preview of the Eastern Conference.  The Network’s expert panel will then review and analyze the Western Conference on Tuesday (8:00 p.m. ET), while NHL On The Fly Premiere Edition will air on Wednesday (8:00 pm. ET), to break down the League’s six season-opening games in Europe.   NHL Network’s newest addition, David Amber, will make his debut alongside veteran NHL On The Fly host Brian Duff and a panel of special guests and analysts, including returning experts Kevin Weekes, Gary Green, Craig Button and Mike Johnson.  Brad May and Bobby Holik, who each enjoyed 18-year NHL careers, will also provide their insight when NHL On The Fly returns next week.

Amber, an anchor and reporter at ESPN since 2002, who also was a part of TSN’s broadcast team that covered a number of Stanley Cup Final series and Olympics, will anchor the nightly NHL On The Fly show.  Amber also will serve as co-host for the Network’s coverage at the NHL’s signature events — including the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic, and the 2011 NHL All-Star Game — and exclusive programming from the Stanley Cup Final and General Managers meetings.

The opening weekend of the 2011-12 season on NHL Network™ U.S. will be highlighted by a doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 9.  Live from 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere™, the afternoon match-up at 3 p.m. ET, will feature the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on the San Jose Sharks from Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.  Captain Jonathan Toews and the Stanley Cup® Champion Chicago Blackhawks will raise the Stanley Cup banner to the United Center’s rafters before opening the season against the Red Wings in the second game of the day beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.

NHL Network Canada will also air its first live game action on opening weekend with an Oct. 10 match-up between the Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes from Prague, Czech Republic, with a special 10 a.m. ET broadcast.  Games on the network continue the next day when captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to New Jersey to face the Devils for a 4 p.m. ET start.  In all, NHL Network will televise 31 live games this season for Canadian viewers.

NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman is back for another season on NHL Home Ice (XM Channel 204 and on SIRIUS Channel 208 as part of the “Best of XM” programming package) and NHL.com.  The weekly show broadcasts live on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. ET.  Commissioner Bettman will host the first show of the season on opening day, October 7, live from the new CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh with special guests, Penguins CEO/President David Morehouse and executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

NHL Live!™, the League’s daily radio show, is broadcast live on Sirius XM Radio, streamed on NHL.com and simulcast on NHL Network each weekday from noon – 2 p.m. ET. Listeners and viewers also can count on NHL Live! to provide season-long access to the game’s brightest stars and most influential people in addition to its daily newsmakers.

The NHL.com team of writers and reporters will provide 24-hour coverage in all 30 NHL markets and beyond.  From off-ice activities to inside the League’s video room to exclusive video features, visitors to the site will have every opportunity to check out their favorite teams and players from all angles.  Real-time statistics, predictions, frozen moments, podcasts and breaking news make NHL.com the place to visit for all hockey-related news.

NHL Network Opening Week Highlighted Events (all times ET)
Monday, Oct. 4        NHL On The Fly Season Preview: Eastern Conference        8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 5         NHL On The Fly Season Preview: Western Conference        8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 6        NHL On The Fly 2010 Premiere Special         8:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 7        2010 NHL Face-Off        4:00 p.m.
Season Debut of “NHL On The Fly”         7:00 p.m.

About NHL NETWORK
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The Network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly™ – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.  For more information log on to www.nhlnetwork.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and NHL Network name and logo, NHL On the Fly and NHL Live are trademarks of the National Hockey League.  All Rights Reserved.

###(10/1/10)

NHL Network Front and Center for 2010 NHL Face-Off; Three Hours of Live Programming Broadcast Season Opening Party Throughout North America

By

NHL NETWORK FRONT AND CENTER FOR 2010 NHL FACE-OFF™
Three Hours of Live Programming Broadcast Season-Opening Party throughout North America

NEW YORK/TORONTO (September 30, 2010) – NHL Network cameras will chronicle all the events and capture all the excitement of 2010 NHL Face-Off™ when the puck drops on the 2010-11 NHL season on Thursday, October 7, with an all-day celebration in Dundas Square in downtown Toronto.

From its vantage point at the center of the Square, NHL Network™ will overlook a synthetic ice surface and capture the essence of 2010 NHL Face-Off with three hours of live programming from 4 -7 p.m. ET.  The broadcast will air live performances and exclusive interviews with three of Canada’s top bands — Hedley, Down With Webster and Hey Rosetta! — while keeping viewers updated on the plays of the day and scores from the afternoon’s European match-up.

Roving reporter Christine Simpson, NHL On The Fly™ host Brian Duff and panelist Mike Johnson will take viewers inside all of the activities happening on the square –including a hotstove session with Maple Leafs’ alumni Darryl Sittler, Wendel Clark and other special guests.

Simpson will visit the many hockey-theme interactives on-site and speak with the parents, kids and guests participating in the on-ice skill clinics.  NHL Network also will offer a unique opportunity to all those fans in attendance who aspire to a career in television broadcasting — On The Fly studio analysts Larry Murphy, Bill Berg and Craig Button will give fans the chance to host a virtual On The Fly newscast.

NHL Face-Off, the NHL’s annual season-opening event, will run from noon until the conclusion of the Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game at Air Canada Centre.  The NHL® will treat fans to live musical performances; interactive attractions that test hockey skills; prizes and giveaways, including the chance to win a trip to the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic™; special guest appearances, including those by former NHL players; food, beverage and merchandise tents; and live CBC and VERSUS game broadcasts on giant video screens, including the Dundas Square video boards. CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and VERSUS also will broadcast from the event throughout the day, including portions of CBC’s pre-game show, Scotiabank Hockey Tonight, which begins nationally at 6:30 p.m. ET.

NHL Network Schedule – Thursday, October 7 (all times ET; all programs air in HD in U.S.)
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.        NHL On The Fly Season Preview: Eastern Conference
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.        NHL On The Fly Season Preview: Western Conference
11:30 – noon        NHL On The Fly 2010 Premiere Special
Noon – 2:00 p.m.        NHL Live!
2 – 4:00 p.m.        2010 Stanley Cup® Final: Game #6 Chicago @ Philadelphia
4 – 7:00 p.m.        2010 NHL Face-Off
7:00 p.m.        NHL On The Fly

For more information, contact: Julie Young, NHL (416.359.7964, jyoung@nhl.com)

About NHL NETWORK
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The Network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly™ – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.  For more information log on to www.nhlnetwork.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Network name and logo, NHL On the Fly and NHL Live are trademarks of the National Hockey League.  All Rights Reserved.

###(9/30/10)

NHL Live! Welcomes Commissioner Bettman For Season Premiere Monday

By

NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN TAKES THE OPENING FACE-OFF
WHEN NHL LIVE! RELAUNCHES FOR 2010-11 SEASON ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
New Segments, Special Guests and NHL Insiders Highlight Weekly Programming

NEW YORK (September 24, 2010) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will recap the eventful summer and look ahead to the 2010-11 regular season when NHL Live!™, relaunches on Monday, September 27, the National Hockey League announced today. NHL Live!, the League’s daily radio show, is broadcast live on Sirius XM Radio, streamed on NHL.com and simulcast on NHL Network each weekday from noon – 2 p.m. ET.

Host Don La Greca and frequent contributor E.J. Hradek will anchor Monday’s show live from the NHL Powered by Reebok Store, the NHL’s state-of-the-art flagship store located in the heart of New York City. In addition to Commissioner Bettman, the first show of the season will focus on bringing fans up-to-speed on all the off-season transactions, events and storylines from all 30 NHL markets.

New this season, Stanley Cup-winners Ken Hitchcock and Bobby Holik will join the roster of NHL Live! insiders. Hitchcock will bring his wealth of coaching knowledge to the show on a regular basis. Holik will provide his unabashed candor every Wednesday, joining a rotation of returning insiders that includes TSN’s Bob McKenzie (Mondays), USA Today writer Kevin Allen (Tuesdays), NBC and CBC analyst Mike Milbury (Thursdays) and NBC and Versus color commentator Ed Olczyk (Fridays). NHL.com reporters and columnists will provide a mix of timely reports from around the League.

Other NHL Live! hosts include Deb Placey, Billy Jaffe, Bill Clement, Ken Daneyko, Dave Maloney and Stan Fischler.

Of course, listeners and viewers also can count on NHL Live! to provide season-long access to the game’s brightest stars and most influential people in addition to its daily newsmakers.

For daily show updates and guest schedules, visit www.nhl.com and follow NHL Live! at Twitter.com/nhllive.

### (9/24/10)

NHL Network U.S. Announces 2010-11 Pre-Season Broadcast Schedule

By

NHL NETWORK U.S. ANNOUNCES 2010-11 PRE-SEASON BROADCAST SCHEDULE

– Most Pre-Season Coverage Ever With Twice The Amount of Broadcast Hours Over Last Season –

NEW YORK (September 20, 2010) –  Live NHL® hockey returns to NHL Network™ beginning Tuesday, Sept. 21, with an unprecedented total of 35 pre-season games broadcast on the Network in the U.S. providing fans with nightly contests from around the League through Sunday, Oct. 3.   This is the most comprehensive coverage of the pre-season ever on the Network with 40 hours of live game broadcasts and 78 hours total of live and delayed broadcasts.  Including re-broadcasts, there will be more than 200 hours of pre-season action available on NHL Network U.S. The 2010-11 NHL regular season commences on Thursday, Oct. 7.

The 35-game schedule begins with the Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers taking on local rivals the New Jersey Devils at 7 p.m. ET in the first game of a Sept. 21 broadcast triple-header. The next night, the Tampa Bay Lightning will play host to the Stanley Cup® champion Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre and will be among three games available.  Other highlights of the pre-season schedule include the 2010 Kraft Hockeyville game between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators in Dundas, Ontario.  33 out of the 35 games will be shown in HD.

2010-11 NHL Network U.S. Pre-Season Game Schedule
(All times listed as ET)
Date
VISITOR
HOME   /  Time
Tues, 9/21
New Jersey Devils
Philadelphia Flyers         7:00 PM LIVE
Tues, 9/21
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs 10:00 PM
Tues, 9/21
Vancouver Canucks
Calgary Flames           2:00 AM *
Wed, 9/22
Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay Lightning
(MTS Centre, Winnipeg) 8:00PM LIVE
Wed, 9/22
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs    11:00 PM
Wed, 9/22
Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucks        2:00 AM *
Thu, 9/23
Toronto Maple Leafs
Philadelphia Flyers
(London, ONT) 7:00 PM LIVE
Thu, 9/23
Tampa Bay Lightning
Edmonton Oilers       2:00 AM *
Fri, 9/24
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings           7:00 PM LIVE
Fri, 9/24
Philadelphia Flyers
Toronto Maple Leafs  10:00 PM
Fri, 9/24
Minnesota Wild
St. Louis Blues        12:00 AM *
Sat, 9/25
Detroit Red Wings
Chicago Blackhawks       8:00 PM LIVE
Sat, 9/25
Toronto Maple Leafs
Buffalo Sabres             11:00 PM +
Sat, 9/25
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pittsburgh Penguins        1:00 AM * +
Sat, 9/25
Anaheim Ducks
Vancouver Canucks        4:00 AM *
Sun, 9/26
Vancouver Canucks
Edmonton Oilers               8:00 PM LIVE
Mon, 9/27
Buffalo Sabres
Toronto Maple Leafs            7:00 PM LIVE
Tue, 9/28
Buffalo Sabres
Ottawa Senators
(Kraft Hockeyville – Dundas, ONT)7:00 PM LIVE
Tue, 9/28
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks             10:00 PM LIVE
Tue, 9/28
Chicago Blackhawks
Pittsburgh Penguins        2:00 AM *
Tue, 9/28
Phoenix Coyotes
Calgary Flames             4:00 AM *
Wed, 9/29
New York Islanders
Philadelphia Flyers            7:00 PM LIVE
Wed, 9/29
Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks                 10:30 PM LIVE
Wed, 9/29
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators             2:00 AM *
Wed, 9/29
Calgary Flames
New York Islanders
(Saskatoon, SK)           4:00 AM  *
Wed, 9/29
Phoenix Coyotes
Edmonton Oilers            6:00 AM *
Thu, 9/30
Buffalo Sabres
Montreal Canadiens           7:30 PM LIVE
Thu, 9/30
Columbus Blue Jackets
Minnesota Wild           11:00 PM
Fri, 10/1
Buffalo Sabres
Philadelphia Flyers           7:00 PM LIVE
Fri, 10/1
Vancouver Canucks
Anaheim Ducks                  10:00 PM LIVE
Fri, 10/1
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings        1:00 AM *
Fri, 10/1
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers           4:00 AM *
Sat, 10/2
Detroit Red Wings
Toronto Maple Leafs           7:00 PM LIVE
Sun, 10/3
St. Louis Blues
Chicago Blackhawks          6:00 PM LIVE
Sun, 10/3
Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames             12:00 AM *

* Denotes airtime is day after contest
+ Not available in HD
Schedule subject to change

About NHL Network
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The Network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly™ – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.  For more information log on to nhlnetwork.com.


NHL Network Canada Announces 2010-11 Live NHL Game Schedule

By

NHL NETWORK CANADA ANNOUNCES 2010-11 LIVE NHL GAME SCHEDULE
Network Schedule Includes 31 Live Games For Canadian Viewers In 2010-11

TORONTO (August 25, 2010) – NHL Network™ Canada drops the puck on the live 2010-11 NHL® regular-season schedule Oct. 10 when the Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes go head-to-head in Prague, CZE as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere™ in a special 10 a.m. ET matinee.  The action continues the next day when captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to New Jersey to face the Devils for a 1 p.m. ET matinee.  In all, NHL Network will again televise 31 live games this season for Canadian viewers.

The live game schedule in the Canada focuses on Sunday games, with approximately half of the schedule on a Sunday. Four teams will each make a League-high five appearances on the Network, the defending Stanley Cup® champion Chicago Blackhawks, the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks.  The Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils each make four appearances.

Highlights of the NHL Network Canada schedule this season include:

· Sunday, Oct. 10 – The NHL Network Canada schedule begins with the Boston Bruins taking on the Phoenix Coyotes in Prague, CZE as part of the 2010 Compuware Premiere.

· Monday, Oct. 11 – Sidney Crosby and the Penguins head to “The Rock” to face Martin Brodeur and the Devils.

· Monday, Nov. 1 – The champion Blackhawks make their first appearance in an Original Six matchup at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.

· Sunday, Nov. 28 – Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin makes the first of his two appearances as the Caps host Eric Staal and the Hurricanes,

· Wednesday, Jan. 5 – Steven Stamkos and Crosby, who shared the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy last season as the League’s top goal scorers, face off at the new CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.

· Sunday, Jan. 9 – NHL Network presents a Sunday tripleheader: Atlanta at Carolina; Tampa Bay at New Jersey and San Jose at Anaheim.

· Sunday, Jan. 23 – The one and only game featuring a rematch of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final as the Flyers look for a small piece of revenge against the Blackhawks in Chicago.

NHL Network’s flagship show, “NHL On The Fly,” once again will be appearing nightly throughout the season.  The program features up-to-the minute hockey information, live look-ins, extended highlights, overtime shootouts, real-time scores, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and news conferences.  Information on the dates and times of the NHL Network U.S. 2010-11 live game schedule will be released in the near future.

NHL Network Canada 2010-11 Live Game Broadcast Schedule

October
Sunday, Oct. 10                Boston @ Phoenix                10 a.m. ET
Monday, Oct. 11                Pittsburgh @ New Jersey        1 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Oct. 12                Atlanta @ Los Angeles        10:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Oct. 27                New Jersey @ San Jose        10:30 p.m. ET

November
Monday, Nov. 1                Chicago @ NY Rangers        7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 10                NY Islanders @ Anaheim        10 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 11                Dallas @ Los Angeles        10:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 14                Anaheim @ Chicago                7 p.m. ET
Monday, Nov. 15                Los Angeles @ San Jose        10:30 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 26                Chicago @ Anaheim                4 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 28                Carolina @ Washington        5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 30                Detroit @ San Jose                10:30 p.m. ET

December
Thursday, Dec. 2                Florida @ Los Angeles        10:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 5                Philadelphia @ NY Islanders        1 p.m. ET

January
Sunday, Jan. 2                Philadelphia @ Detroit        5 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Jan. 5                Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh        7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 9                Atlanta @ Carolina                1:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 9                Tampa Bay @ New Jersey        5 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 9                San Jose @ Anaheim                8 p.m. ET
Monday, Jan. 17                Carolina @ Boston                1 p.m. ET
Monday, Jan. 17                San Jose @ Phoenix                5 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 23                Philadelphia @ Chicago        TBD
Sunday, Jan. 23                Florida @ New Jersey        TBD

February
Sunday, Feb. 13                Boston @ Detroit                TBD
Monday, Feb. 21                Chicago @ St. Louis                2 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 27                Tampa Bay @ NY Rangers        1 p.m. ET
Monday, Feb. 28                Detroit @ Los Angeles        10:30 p.m. ET

March
Sunday, March 6                Washington @ Florida        5 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 13                Phoenix @ Anaheim                5 p.m. ET

April
Sunday, April 3                NY Rangers @ Philadelphia        TBD
Sunday, April 10                Dallas @ Minnesota                TBD

*Schedule subject to change

About NHL Network
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.
For more information log on to nhlnetwork.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and Stanley Cup, are registered trademarks and NHL Network is a trademarks of the National Hockey League.

NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.  All Rights Reserved.

NHL Network U.S. Plays Host To The Frenzy Of Free Agency

By

NHL NETWORK U.S. PLAYS HOST TO THE FRENZY OF FREE AGENCY
Four Hours of TSN Coverage to Follow NHL Live! on July 1

NEW YORK, NY (June 29, 2010) – When the National Hockey League’s annual race to sign veteran talent commences on July 1, fans in the United States will be able to keep up with all the moves of free agency on NHL Network™ and NHL.com.

American hockey fans can watch TSN’s Free Agent Frenzy show on NHL Network and streamed live on NHL.com to follow all the signings and rumors during one of the most exciting days on the League’s calendar. The NHL on
TSN: Free Agent Frenzy will be broadcast on NHL Network and streamed on NHL.com from 2-6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 1.

Before throwing it to TSN in Toronto, NHL Network and NHL.com will carry NHL Live! The League’s daily satellite radio call-in show on Sirius XM, that is simulcast on NHL Network and streamed live on NHL.com each weekday from noon-2 p.m. ET, will be hosted by Don La Greca and E.J. Hradek live from the NHL Powered by Reebok store in Manhattan. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will join Don and E.J. in studio as a special guest as the free-agency signing period officially begins at noon ET.