Canadian Networks to Cover the Pre-Season

Thanks to those of you in the comments, here are some nationally televised games during the pre-season on the Canadian nets:

September 22 – Boston vs. Montreal, 7:30PM (RDS)
September 23 – Tampa Bay vs. Edmonton, 9PM (TSN)
September 25 – Anaheim vs. Vancouver, 10PM (CBC)
September 27 – Florida vs. Montreal, 7:30PM (RDS)
September 28 – Phoenix vs. Calgary, 9:30PM (TSN)
September 30 – Buffalo vs. Montreal, 7:30PM (RDS)
October 2 – Detroit vs. Toronto, 7PM (CBC)
October 2 – Montreal vs. NY Islanders, 7PM (RDS)

NHL TV Schedule Set For Tomorrow

According to the NHL’s Twitter (and confirmed to Puck the Media via e-mail:

We expect the Nat’l TV skeds for CBC, TSN, TSN2, RDS, RIS, NBC, VERSUS and NHL Network in Canada will be released tomorrow afternoon (ET).

Morning Music

Still quiet. I know. But hey, we did a post yesterday! Woo! You all helped me out sending me some pre-season games that’d be on Canadian TV, I’ll compile those for a post later, I think.

I promise I’ll ask again about what you want me to ask about today. For now, sing along.

Butch Goring to Replace Billy Jaffe in Isles TV Booth

From Chris Botta:

Point Blank has learned that Butch Goring has been hired by MSG Network and approved by the Islanders as the new color commentator on the team’s television broadcasts. Goring suceeds Billy Jaffe, whose four-year run in the job ended when the Islanders would not grant their approval to a contract negotiated between Jaffe’s agent and MSG Network, the employer.

Since joining the network in 2007, Goring has received increased responsibilities in the MSG studio and as a sideline analyst during select Islanders games. No word yet whom MSG Network will hire to take the four-time Stanley Cup winner’s place in the Islanders’ chair on “Hockey Night Live” and on game broadcasts. It does not appear that Denis Potvin, the Islanders’ dynasty captain who is now based out of Ottawa, is in the mix for a regular role.

Morning Music

I know what you’re thinking. I’m here and that means something. Well, tentatively – meaning until I hear differently – what you think that means has a very good chance of being correct. If it isn’t, I’ll let you know.

For now, let’s hear some music and figure out what’s going on today.

Canadian Tire to Sponsor NHL, Toews in Canada

Toronto, Ontario (August 20, 2010) – Canadian Tire, Canada’s largest hockey retailer, and the National Hockey League today announced that Canadian Tire has signed a partnership agreement with the NHL® to become the League’s Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the NHL in Canada. The agreement includes a hat trick of exciting announcements: a five-year NHL partnership, the launch of the NHL-powered Canadian Tire Hockey School (CTHS) and the naming of Stanley Cup winner and Olympic Gold Medalist Jonathan Toews as CTHS founding member and official spokesperson.

“As Canada’s largest retailer of sporting equipment and a brand steeped in Canadian history, Canadian Tire is who Canadians trust for their first pair of skates, stick, helmet and pads. Over the past 90 years, we’ve equipped millions of first-time hockey players, like Jonathan Toews, from head to toe,” said Mike Arnett, President of Canadian Tire Retail. “Through the Canadian Tire Hockey School, we’re building on our hockey roots to help develop a lifelong enjoyment of the game. We’re also thrilled to add the NHL and Canadian hockey star Jonathan Toews to our winning team. With this stellar line-up, we’ve become more than Canada’s hockey store; we’re Canada’s hockey school.”

Further developing a grassroots connection in Canadian communities, Canadian Tire will launch the Canadian Tire Hockey School NHL Skills Camps. These unique camps will provide Canadian minor hockey players the opportunity to develop and grow their skills through on and off ice skill development sessions led by experienced NHL hockey experts, with appearances by NHL alumni and coaches. The first of six Canadian Tire Hockey School NHL Skills Camps during the 2010-2011 season will take place in Winnipeg, MB on September 21, 2010. Details for how to win the chance for your child to be a part of one of these exciting Camps will be available through www.canadiantirehockeyschool.ca in late August.

In addition to becoming an Official NHL Partner in Canada, Canadian Tire will now be designated as an Official Partner of the NHL Heritage Classic™, NHL All-Star Game, Stanley Cup® Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final and NHL Face-Off™.

“The NHL is a driving force in uniting Canadians around their love of hockey, and in partnering with the iconic Canadian Tire brand, we have the potential to unite them in more ways and in more places,” said Keith Wachtel, Senior Vice President, Integrated Sales & Marketing, NHL. “Expanding our reach into new categories like this will continue to increase the NHL’s ability to reach and unite Canadian hockey fans.”

NHL And Canadian Tire Unveil New Hockey School

Selling more hockey sticks and pucks than any other retailer in the world, Canadian Tire has been the inspiration for millions of hockey firsts for players from coast to coast. The CTHS website will offer unparalleled content for Canadian hockey players, parents, coaches and fans. The robust site will deliver a full range of tips, drills, training and equipment advice that will help develop young players as they progress through their hockey career; support coaches in getting the most out of the game and their players; and help parents be the best hockey parents they can be.

“Canadian Tire has been a part of my hockey story since the very beginning – it’s where my grandfather bought me my first pair of skates and my first stick,” said Jonathan Toews. “I’m proud to be a part of Canadian Tire’s all-star team, and the founding member of CTHS. This exciting new program is sure to play a significant role in developing the next generation of Canada’s hockey stars, on and off the ice.”

From how to play on a backyard rink or advance in a local house league, to knowing how hockey gear fits and what it costs, CTHS will offer unique subject matter expertise and practical insights into how to mentor, parent and become a well-rounded player. CTHS members also will receive exclusive NHL-related offers and promotions, including a chance to win a trip with two tickets and VIP treatment to the NHL All-Star Game, the NHL Heritage Classic™ and a Stanley Cup Final game.

To join the Canadian Tire Hockey School and get ready for the upcoming hockey season, visit canadiantirehockeyschool.ca.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League’s international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other major professional sport. The NHL entertains more than 250 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, ESPN America, ASN and NHL Network™) and radio (NHL Radio™, Sirius XM Satellite Radio and XM Canada). Through the NHL Foundation, the League’s charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer™ and NHL Youth Development, and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

About Canadian Tire Corporation

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.a, CTC), is one of Canada’s most shopped general retailers with 480 Canadian Tire stores across the country. Our core retail and automotive operation is strengthened by PartSource, an automotive parts specialty chain; Canadian Tire Petroleum, one of the country’s largest independent retailers of gasoline; Mark’s “Clothes That Work,” a leading retailer of men’s, women’s and work apparel; and, Canadian Tire Financial Services, which has issued over five million Canadian Tire MasterCard credit cards. More than 58,000 Canadians work across Canadian Tire’s organization from coast-to-coast in the enterprise’s retail, financial services and petroleum businesses.

About Jonathan Toews

Born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Jonathan Toews is a Stanley Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. Toews currently plays for and is team captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, making him currently the youngest captain in the NHL, and the third youngest full captain in NHL history. The fully bilingual Toews competes internationally for Team Canada, having won gold medals at the 2005 World U-18, the 2005 World U-18 Hockey Challenge, 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships, 2007 World Championships, and the 2010 Winter Olympics (a tournament in which he was named Best Forward). Toews won the Stanley Cup in 2010, becoming the second-youngest captain ever to win the Stanley Cup, and was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. After winning the Cup, Toews passed Peter Forsberg as the youngest player to be inducted into the Triple Gold Club. As recognition for his ongoing contribution to his community, In July 2010 the City of Winnipeg gave Toews the Keys to the City.

Morning Music

Review of those two On the Fly’s a little later.

NOTE: If the TV schedule isn’t coming out next week, then Puck the Media will take a week off. If it is, then I’ll be here.

Enjoy.

CBC to Air AHL Games

CBC and the American Hockey League (AHL) today announced a one-year broadcast agreement that will see CBC broadcast 10 games throughout the upcoming 2010-11 season.

“We’re looking forward to featuring the stars of hockey’s future with the AHL on CBC,” said Scott Moore, executive director, CBC Sports and general manager, CBC Media Sales & Marketing.

“We’re tremendously excited that CBC, with its distinguished excellence in hockey broadcasting, will be helping us celebrate our historic 75th anniversary this season,” said David Andrews, President and CEO of the American Hockey League. “Viewers across Canada will be treated to the skill and excitement of the best young professionals in our sport.”

The AHL, this year marking its 75th anniversary, has been the home to future stars and legendary figures throughout its illustrious history including the likes of Don Cherry, Johnny Bower, Andy Bathgate, Gerry Cheevers, Larry Robinson, Patrick Roy, Brett Hull, Martin St. Louis, Ryan Miller, Michael Cammalleri, Eric Staal, Martin Brodeur and Duncan Keith, among countless others.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA Saturday broadcasts will be followed by an AHL on CBC game on 10 Sunday afternoons, giving fans across Canada a chance to cheer on the NHL stars of tomorrow. All games will also be available live and on-demand on CBCSports.ca.

All 10 games will feature AHL teams affiliated with one of the six Canadian NHL teams. The puck drops on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, with a 1 p.m. ET matchup between the Toronto Marlies and the visiting Binghamton Senators, the top affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. Other match-ups this season will also include the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens), Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames), Manitoba Moose (Vancouver Canucks), and Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers).

Morning Music

There will be a full, two-day On the Fly at the Shanny Summit review coming up tomorrow. For now, tell me your thoughts about it. Was it in HD? I was only able to get an SD recording of it. I’ll know more when I watch Part 2 tomorrow.

Til then, we wait for a press release or something. I apologize.

Morning Music

Look, I’m kind of in an awkward place here. The TV schedule was worth at least a week of material, and it still isn’t out yet. I don’t want to leave you all hanging, but I also don’t have anything to write about.

I’ll try and scoop out some links and press releases. I promise I’ll write a review of the NHL On the Fly from Fort Shanny. Until then, we are in uncertain mode. Stay tuned.