Snider, Wirtz on the NHL Hour

NEW YORK (May 27, 2010) – And then there were two. The 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final will feature two teams that are meeting in the Final series for the first time in their storied histories. Team owners, Rocky Wirtz of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ed Snider of the Philadelphia Flyers will be today’s guests on NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio at 6 p.m. ET.

The 2010 Stanley Cup Final between the NHL’s two remaining teams, the Western Conference Champion Chicago Blackhawks and Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers will start in Chicago on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET (NBC, CBC, RDS).

Since Rocky Wirtz assumed control of the club in 2007-08, he has rejuvenated and revitalized the Blackhawks and has restored “the Roar” from the glory days of the “Original Six” franchise.

Ed Snider brought NHL hockey to Philadelphia as founder of the Flyers, who debuted in 1967-68. The team captured back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. Snider was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder in 1988.

NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman broadcasts live on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET 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 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 1-877-645-6696. NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman is a production of NHL Radio.

Media Day to Be Broadcast on NHL Net This Afternoon

Tune in to the NHL Network in the U.S. and Canada starting at 2 p.m. ET Thursday for full coverage of Stanley Cup Final Media Day from Chicago. Broadcasters Brian Duff, Kevin Weekes, Joe Micheletti and Dave Strader will bring you live press conferences and interviews from United Center as we countdown to Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday.

Hawks Allowed Precedence Over Cubs on Radio For Final

Chicago, IL (May 25, 2010) — WGN Radio today announced that the station will air all of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Finals games that would normally conflict with Chicago Cubs broadcasts. The conflicting Cubs games will be heard on 560 AM on June 2, June 4 and possibly June 9 (if game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals is necessary).

“Allowing all Stanley Cup Final games to air on WGN Radio 720 is another example of our great longtime partnership with the Cubs organization,” said Tom Langmyer, Vice President/General Manager of WGN Radio. “We deeply appreciate the Cubs’ community leadership in cheering on the Blackhawks during their historic Stanley Cup Finals run. We also are pleased to present the WGN broadcast of the Chicago Cubs on our companion station, 560 AM.”

NHL Goes Green With Re-Useable Stanley Cup Bag at NHL Store

NEW YORK (MAY 26, 2010) — The National Hockey League (NHL) will replace 30,000 plastic shopping bags with reusable bags during the Stanley Cup® Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers, it announced today. The commemorative bags, which feature the 2010 Stanley Cup Final logo, will be available starting Saturday, May 29 for a limited time to consumers who make purchases of $10 or more at arena shops in the two Stanley Cup Final markets – Chicago and Philadelphia – and at the NHL® Powered by Reebok store in midtown New York City.

“We believe our fans are just as committed to doing their part,” said Barry Monaghan, NHL Vice President, Retail Sales & Marketing. “And by offering a commemorative reusable bag, we are encouraging our fans to reduce waste by using it time and time again.”

The reusable bags are part of the NHL’s ongoing green initiative. The NHL has launched a League-wide green initiative to support sustainable living and business practices. NHL Green™ is a year-round commitment to making the League and its Clubs more ecologically responsible while educating our fans and raising awareness of environmental issues. For news stories and videos focused upon the League’s sustainability activities, tips for fans on how to live a more eco-friendly life and links to sites that will provide more information and resources, visit the NHL Green™ microsite housed on the league’s website, NHL.com.

VERSUS Promotes Hockey Games Of Some Importance

Bridgestone Signs Long-Term Deal With NHL

NEW YORK, N.Y.; TORONTO, Ontario; and NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 26, 2010) – The National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) today announced the renewal of a partnership with Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO) and Bridgestone Canada Inc. (BCA) in which the Bridgestone brand will serve as the “Official Tire of the NHL®, NHLPA and the Hockey Hall of Fame,” for the next five years.

As part of the agreement, Bridgestone will return as the title sponsor of the award-winning outdoor game, the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. Title sponsorship of the event delivers a significant platform for Bridgestone to showcase its brand during what is typically the NHL’s most-watched regular-season game, and one of the crown jewels of the New Year’s Day television schedule.

“Bridgestone has been a remarkable partner for the League,” said Keith Wachtel, NHL Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Marketing. “Their renewal and commitment to NHL hockey for the next five years is validation of the League’s ability to provide corporate partners with activation platforms that reach a fast-growing, highly desirable demographic.”

As the title partner for the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Bridgestone will be provided with a number of assets in addition to incorporating its logo into the official game and event mark. These assets include on-air title broadcast rights from all of the League’s broadcast partners (NBC, CBC and RDS); branded promotion in NBC programming; camera-visible dasherboard placements of the Bridgestone logo; in-arena video spots and PA announcements; and integration of the Bridgestone brand throughout all NHL media properties – including video, print, online and radio.

“This has been a great partnership to position the Bridgestone brand with a premiere sports league with a large and very loyal fan base,” said John Baratta, President, US & Canada Consumer Replacement Tire Sales division, BATO. “By continuing our partnership with the NHL, the NHLPA and the Hockey Hall of Fame we will continue to connect hockey fans across the world with our message: for drivers who want to get the most out of their cars, it’s Bridgestone or nothing.”

Serving as title sponsor for the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is just one of numerous exclusive promotional opportunities for the Bridgestone brand as part of the multi-year agreement. The NHL will grant BFNT and BFCA rights to the League’s premier trademarks and provide numerous exclusive promotional opportunities throughout the NHL season and beyond, including: the NHL Face-Off™, Stanley Cup® Playoffs, NHL Draft, NHL Awards™ and the NHL All-Star game. The deal also provides Bridgestone with the use of NHL Player rights and images.

“The NHLPA is very pleased to renew our successful partnership with Bridgestone,” said Mike Ouellet, NHLPA Chief of Business Affairs. “Bridgestone’s long-term commitment to NHL players and the NHL game will provide positive exposure for their industry leading brand to our loyal fan-base.”

The Bridgestone brand also will leverage its status as the exclusive tire of the NHL and NHLPA by supporting the League’s media properties including NHL.com and NHL Network™, various NHL clubs and by advertising on NHL telecasts in Canada and the U.S.

In addition, this sponsorship includes the Mark Messier NHL® Leadership Award Presented by Bridgestone, which recognizes the NHL player who has demonstrated superior leadership in hockey and has made positive contributions to society, and the Bridgestone Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award, which rewards youth hockey players or mentor/coaches for their contributions to youth sports or education.

More on VERSUS’ Post-Game Hockey Centrals

From John Ourand of Sports Business Daily (reg. required):

Versus plans to telecast “Hockey Central” following NBC’s Stanley Cup Final games, marking the first time the network will produce a postgame show around an event on another network. The show will be produced from Versus’ Stamford, Conn., studio. “Hockey Central” will be on location at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center following Games Three and Four, which are being carried by Versus. Bill Patrick hosts the show, with Keith Jones and Brian Engblom as analysts

Where Does Your Team Rank in Google Search?

NOTE: A very simple space-filler.  I typed in the home city/state of every National Hockey League team, and see where it ranks.  I’ll also post some of the stuff that beat the team out.

Anaheim Ducks
Rank: #1

Atlanta Thrashers
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘Airport’, ‘Braves’, ‘Journal-Constitution’, ‘weather’, ‘GA’, ‘Hawks’, ‘Aquarium’, ‘Falcons’, ‘Motor Speedway’.

Boston Bruins
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘University’, ‘Globe’, ‘College’, ‘Market’, ‘Proper’, ‘Tea Party’, ‘Celtics’, ‘Massacre’, ‘Herald’.

Buffalo Sabres
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘wild wings’, ‘exchange’, ‘wings recipe’, ‘chicken dip’, ‘news’, ‘bils’, ‘state college’, ‘university’, ‘jeans’

Calgary Flames
Rank: #2
Ahead of the team: Just ‘Calgary’ on it’s own.

Carolina Hurricanes
Rank: #7
Ahead of the team: ‘Herrera’, ‘Chocolate Drops’, ‘Herrera Bridal’, ‘Panthers’, ‘Liar’, ‘Bermudez’.

Chicago Blackhawks
Rank: #3
Ahead of the team: ‘Tribune’ and the city itself.

Colorado Avalanche
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘State University’, ‘Cafe’, ‘Springs’, ‘Mountain Express’, ‘Rockies’, ‘College’, ‘School of Mines’, ‘Secretary of State’, ‘Cyclist’

Columbus Blue Jackets
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘circle’, ‘Dispatch’, ’72′, ‘Ohio’, ‘Day’, ‘Circle Restaurants’, ’72 NYC’, ‘Square’, ‘Day 2010′.

Dallas Stars
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘Cowboys’, ‘BBQ’, ‘Morning News’, ‘Cowboy Cheerleaders’, ‘Cowboys Schedule’, ‘Mavericks’, ‘Cowboys Stadium’, ‘Weather’, ‘BBQ Times Square’

Detroit Red Wings
Rank: #6
Ahead of the team: ‘News’, ‘Auto Show’, ‘Free Press’, ‘Tigers’, ‘Lions’, ‘Red Wings’.

Edmonton Oilers
Rank: #1

Florida Panthers
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘keys’, ‘state university’, ‘DMV’, ‘Real Estate’, ‘Lottery’, ‘Weather’, ‘Map’, ‘International University’, ‘Department of Corrections’, ‘Gators’

Los Angeles Kings
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘Times’, ‘Weather’, ‘Zip Code’, ‘Lakers’, ‘Dodgers’, ‘Superior Court’, ‘Angels’, ‘County’, ‘News’, ‘Police Department’

Minnesota Wild
Rank: #4
Ahead of the team: ‘Twins’, ‘Vikings’

Montreal Canadiens
Rank: #4
Ahead of the team: ‘Canada’, ‘Gazette’, ‘Tourism’

Nashville Predators
Rank: #4
Ahead of the team: ‘TN’, ‘Wraps’, ‘Weather’

New Jersey Devils
Rank: #5
Ahead of the team: ‘Transit’, ‘Lottery’, ‘DMV’

New York Islanders/New York Rangers
Rank: NR
Ahead of the teams: ‘Times’, ‘Post’, ‘Magazine’, ‘Lottery’, ‘Public Library’, ‘Daily News’, ‘Sports Club’, ‘State Unemployment’, ‘and Company’, ‘Weather’.

Ottawa Senators
Rank: #1

Philadelphia Flyers
Rank: #6
Ahead of the team: ‘Flower Show 2010′, ‘Museum of Art’, ‘Inquirer’, ‘Airport’, ‘Flower Show’.

Phoenix Coyotes
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘band’, ‘University’, ‘House’, ‘AZ’, ‘Suns’, ’1901 lyrics’, ‘newspaper’, ‘weather’, ‘lyrics’, ‘airport’.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Rank: #3
Ahead of the team: ‘Post Gazette’, ‘Steelers’.

San Jose Sharks
Rank: #2
Ahead of the team: ‘Mercury News’

St. Louis Blues
Rank: #5
Ahead of the team: ‘Cardinals’, ‘Dispatch’, ‘Rams’, ‘University’.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Rank: #4
Ahead of the team: ‘Rays’, ‘Downs’, ‘Buccaneers’.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Rank: #6
Ahead of the team: ‘Star’, ‘lime’, ‘Sun’, ‘Weather’.

Vancouver Canucks
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ’2010′, ‘Olympic Schedule’, ’2010 Death’, ‘BC’, ’2010 Opening Ceremonies’, ‘Canada’, ‘Sun’, ‘Weather’, ’2010 Mascots’.

Washington Capitals
Rank: NR
Ahead of the team: ‘Post’, ‘DC’, ‘DC Weather’, “DC Metro’, ‘University’, ‘Mutual’, ‘State University’, ‘Nationals’, ‘Monument’, ‘Times’. 

Western Ratings Roundup: Hawks Crush Lost Finale, While Sharks Don’t Set the Bay on Fire

While the Stanley Cup Final-bound Chicago Blackhawks topped two of TV’s most recent seminal programs’ season (or series) finales, their opponents in San Jose trended weak ratings throughout Chi-town’s four game sweep.

The Blackhawks previously reported (here on Puck the Media) 14.1 rating in the nation’s #3 market trumped both the finales of Lost on ABC (9.3), as well as beating the Celebrity Apprentice on NBC (10.3).  Incidentally, and I’m no fan of either, but in what city is Donald Trump more popular than those crazy kids on the island?  The game also beat the early afternoon games of both the Cubs on WGN (5.9) and the White Sox on CSN Chicago (1.1).  Game #4 peaked in the Second City from 4:45-5:00 PM CT, when it drew a 20.4/44, which translates to 714,000 viewers.

Another intriguing point of interest is that among the highly profitable demographic of Adults 25-54, the Hawks drew a 10.4 rating, again beating Lost (8.8) and Celebrity Apprentice (6.8) and showing that Chicago hockey fans are of a most desirable age group.

Meanwhile, in San Jose, it turns out the series peaked locally with Game #1′s 5.6 overnight rating, going no higher than a 4.4 for NBC’s coverage of Game #4.  The two games on VERSUS showed a significant loss in interest, and perhaps coupled with the area’s unfamiliarity with exclusive games on the network (this is San Jose’s first trip to the Conference Final under the current TV contract).

Game #3 scored a 4.2 rating (around 105,000 households) in the San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose triumvirate, with Game #4 dropping further to a 4.4 (about 101,000 households).  After a Game #6 victory over the Red Wings which drew a record 6.5 rating, you have to think the early losses triggered the loss of interest in the market.  The Bay Area finished the series with an average rating of 4.5, compared to Chicago’s 11.9.

Nationally, the series averaged 1.7 million viewers through Game #3.  Game #1 on NBC totaled 2.1 million, while Games #2 and #3 drew 1.4 and 1.5 million respectively.  No numbers for NBC’s telecast of Game #4 are available at this time.  Thanks to Jon Swenson of Sharkspage for some of the numbers.

More Shifts For Broad Street Bullies to Get Ready For the Final

With the Stanley Cup Finals between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks set to begin this weekend in Chicago, HBO has added additional playdates for the hour-long documentary BROAD STREET BULLIES, a look at one of pro sport’s most polarizing teams, the legendary Philadelphia Flyers Stanley Cup championship squads of the 1970s. The increase in ice time for the BROAD STREET BULLIES on HBO includes Tuesday, May 25 (8:00 p.m.), Thursday May 27 (7:00 p.m.), Saturday, May 29 (11:00 a.m.) and Tuesday, June 1 (7:00 p.m.). All times are ET/PT.

HBO2 playdates: May 26 (1:10 a.m.), 29 (9:00 p.m.) and 30 (11:30 p.m.)

HBO On Demand® availability through June 7

This exclusive presentation tells the backstories of these engaging and colorful athletes, who won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975 with a bold, aggressive style that sparked controversy and criticism.

Playing before adoring fans at the Spectrum, the Philadelphia Flyers rose to prominence in the 1970s under the guidance of shrewd coach Freddie Shero. With larger-than-life figures like Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Bernie Parent, Ed Van Impe, Bill Clement, Rick MacLeish, “Moose” Dupont, Bob Kelly, Joe Watson and Gary Dornhoefer, the team won many games, fought in just about all of them and made numerous enemies. The club’s popularity soared as their physically imposing and sometimes bloody style generated headlines across North America.

Although the franchise did not exist until 1967, the team rose to national prominence in just a few short years, and some NHL teams would see their home attendance double when the Flyers came to town. The club became a favorite of other hardscrabble cities and towns where blue-collar communities were taking an economic beating.

In a bizarre twist, singer Kate Smith’s rendition of “God Bless America” became the Flyers’ good luck charm. Eventually, the team that showcased players with gap-toothed grins, funny hair and goofy nicknames evolved into one of the NHL’s elite franchise. In 1976, the Flyers engaged the vaunted Soviet Central Red Army team in the finale of an exhibition series that would do little to ease the cold war tension between the two nations.

BROAD STREET BULLIES interviews include former Flyers standouts Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Bill Clement, Gary Dornhoefer, Bob Kelly, Bernie Parent, Ed Van Impe, Don Saleksi, Orest Kindrachuk, Bobby Taylor, Joe Watson and Dave “The Hammer” Schultz; team founder and chairman Ed Snider; former NHL stars Phil Esposito, Terry O’Reilly and Larry Robinson; radio personalities Howard Eskin and Anthony Gargano; former NHL director of broadcasting Stu Hackel; journalists Jay Greenberg, Frank Orr, Jack Chevalier and Mark Mulvoy; Flyers historian Bruce Cooper; and former director of NHL officiating Bryan Lewis.

The executive producers of BROAD STREET BULLIES are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; senior producer is Joe Lavine; produced by George Roy; Erik Kesten is the writer; Brian Keane scored the music; Liev Schreiber is the narrator.

Former Flyer Bill Clement: “Our legacy now is exactly what it was then…loved in one part of the world, and hated everywhere else. And there isn’t an apologetic bone in my body or anybody else’s body on our team.”