Morning Music

I don’t have any planned material for today, so I’m going to have to play it by ear. If any press releases show up, I’ll let you know. From what I know, the NHL is not releasing their television schedule today. However, as always, stay tuned to Puck the Media, because you never really know…

Afternoon Music

Good afternoon. I’ve been told there won’t be a TV schedule today. I’m sorry. I’m as disappointed as you. We’ll all hear it soon enough.

Anyway, we’ll keep going here today. Enjoy the day.

More on Shanny Summit Broadcasts

TORONTO (August 16, 2010) – NHL Network and NHL.com have fans covered for the latest updates, sights, sounds and analysis from the 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp Fueled By G Series.

NHL Network’s “2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp fueled by G-Series” show will air each night of the Camp (August 18-19) from 9:00 – 9:30p.m. ET and provide a full re-cap and analysis from that day’s testing. Host Brian Duff and Analyst Mike Johnson will take viewers inside the Camp through exclusive interviews with NHL VP of Hockey and Business Operations Brendan Shanahan, veteran NHL coaches Ken Hitchcock and Dave King, prospects from the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft and more. NHL Net also will take a look at Gatorade’s G Series and speak with doctors onsite about the science involved with this product and how it helps players reach their potential.

NHL.com will take fans on-site and behind-the-scenes with updates throughout the day with all the sights, sounds and breaking news coming out of the Camp. Coverage includes exclusive locker room access for the player briefings and audio from Coach Hitchcock and Coach King who will be miked during the testing, along with reactions from NHL hockey operations, general managers, players and coaches.

The 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp fueled by G Series will gather a talented group of skaters and goaltenders including thirty-three of the top-rated players eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to test various potential rule changes, rink modifications and strategic innovations. The camp is comprised of four on-ice sessions over two days (August 18-19) at the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility (400 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke, ON).

Ebersol Says No Super Bowl, Other Major Events to Cable

Sort of related to VERSUS, this piece with Dick Ebersol from MediaPost:

As the Final Four goes to TBS and the Bowl Championship Series to ESPN, it begs the question of whether all premiere sports properties are en route to pay TV? ESPN chief George Bodenheimer stoked the fire recently, saying he “certainly wouldn’t rule it out” as far as the Super Bowl coming to his network.

But Ebersol, who heads NBC Universal’s sports and Olympics programming, sought to assure regulators that the recent past is not prologue.

With the FCC and Department of Justice reviewing the proposed Comcast-NBCU merger, Ebersol (and others from NBCU) effectively promised that the transaction would not bring the World Series to Comcast’s Versus network.

Instead, according to a meeting summary, the NBCU group indicated the merger would bolster NBCU’s ability to acquire sports rights and “would not result in the migration of such major sporting events away from broadcast television.”

That appeared to include prime Olympic events and marquee NFL games.

NHL Network Should Pay Tribute to Teams of the Past

I’ve pretty much been using the blog lately for floating ideas, so I assume one more won’t hurt since we’re all waiting for a schedule next Monday, and you’d better be here for all the news on that.

Anyway, MLB Network is producing a documentary on Sunday on the 1994 Montreal Expos. As many of you may know, the ’94 Expos were the class of baseball, considered by many to be a World Series favorite. However, the strike killed the World Series, the team was dismantled and never came close again to matching that success. Ownership troubles and the lack of a new stadium caused the team to move a decade later to Washington.

Here’s part of MLB Network’s press release on the special, which airs this Sunday at 10:00 PM ET:

The 1994 Montreal Expos are the featured subject in the latest edition of Major League Baseball Productions’ Triumph and Tragedy, airing on MLB Network this Sunday at 10:00 p.m. ET. With a roster including Moises Alou, Marquis Grissom, Pedro Martinez, Larry Walker and John Wetteland, the 1994 Montreal Expos were poised for a Postseason appearance before the season was cut short by the players’ strike in August. Triumph and Tragedy covers the ups and downs of that year and the next decade, including a season cut short, key players traded and the eventual relocation of the franchise to Washington, D.C. in 2004.

Narrated by MLB Network host Matt Vasgersian, the episode includes stories and new and archival interviews – some being seen and told for the first time on television – with manager Felipe Alou; the players listed above; former Expos players Gary Carter, Greg Harris, Ken Macha, Steve Rogers, Rusty Staub and others; former club executives, coaches, broadcasters and reporters who covered the team.

That sounds awesome, frankly, and inspiring for another idea: why not do an NHL Network documentary focusing on teams like the Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets? It could be educational to younger fans and give the nostalgia freaks a chance to hear Brass Bonanza and see those awesome uniforms again. I only remember seeing the Whalers and Jets play on TV once each, against the Devils, and the Nordiques were gone before I became fully aware of the sport.

Look, there’s no real proof against the claim that NHL Network viewers want casual, non-controversial talk on the network. But surely, the NHL must be able to see past all the bitterness and anger after the move to show that the memories – and the ability to sell merchandise of – these teams is quite good. If you aired a documentary on the Whale, Jets and ‘Diques, it’d only make them more marketable. Plus, who knows, you might need people to become familiar with these clubs again someday, might as well start now.

Meet the Players Who Will Participate in the NHL Net-Aired Shanny Summit

TORONTO (August 12, 2010) — Thirty-three of the top-rated players eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft have accepted invitations to participate in the 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp fueled by G Series, the National Hockey League announced today.

The talented group of skaters and goaltenders from the Canadian Hockey League, the USHL and United States colleges and high schools will provide the high level of skill required to properly test out the dozens of new rules, on-ice markings and game strategies that will be explored during two days of scrimmages at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice facility in Etobicoke, Ontario, August 18 and 19.

“This Camp has the bonus element of giving general managers and their staffs an early season look at many of the players whose names they will be calling out as their teams’ top-round selections in the June 2011 Entry Draft in St. Paul,” said E.J. McGuire, Director of the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau. “These are some of the most talented players available to execute the unique skills and strategies which the Camp is designed to test and evaluate.”

The players will be directed by accomplished head coaches Ken Hitchcock and Dave King through four on-ice sessions that will be contested under game conditions. They also will attend orientation sessions on social media and security designed to provide them with useful information as they begin their draft-eligible seasons in hopes of pursuing an NHL career.

“This will be a great learning experience and opportunity for these players,” said NHL Vice President Hockey and Business Brendan Shanahan. “Team personnel get an up-close look at these 2011 Entry Draft prospects while we hope to provide the players with a fun and informative two days.”

The following players have confirmed that they will participate:

Player Pos. Club (League) Height, Weight

Seth Ambroz RW Omaha (USHL) 6′ 2″, 211 lbs.

Nathan Beaulieu D Saint John (QMJHL) 6′ 1″, 175 lbs.

Gabriel Beaupre D Val d’Or (QMJHL) 6′ 2″, 198 lbs.

Myles Bell D Regina (WHL) 5′ 11.25″, 200 lbs.

David Broll LW Erie (OHL) 6′ 1.25″, 220 lbs.

Daniel Catenacci C Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 5′ 9.5″, 181 lbs.

Adam Clendening D Boston U. (H-EAST) 5′ 11.5″, 190 lbs.

Sean Couturier C Drummondville (QMJHL) 6′ 3.5″, 193 lbs.

Michael Curtis C Belleville (OHL) 5′ 11.75″, 174 lbs.

John Gibson G USA U-18 (USHL) 6′ 3″, 175 lbs.

Dougie Hamilton D Niagara (OHL) 6′ 3.25″, 180 lbs.

Scott Harrington D London (OHL) 6′ 0.5″, 195 lbs.

Jonathan Huberdeau C Saint John (QMJHL) 6′ 0″, 154 lbs.

Philippe Hudon RW Choate (HIGH-CT) 6′ 1″, 172 lbs.

Boone Jenner C Oshawa (OHL) 6′ 0.5″, 192 lbs.

Patrick Koudys D Rensselaer (ECAC) 6′ 4″, 190 lbs.

John Kurtz ** LW Sudbury (OHL) (2009-10) 6′ 2.5″, 200 lbs.

Gabriel Landeskog LW Kitchener (OHL) 6′ 0″, 200 lbs.

Keegan Lowe D Edmonton (WHL) 6′ 0.75″, 172 lbs.

Adam Lowry LW Swift Current (WHL) 6′ 2″, 167 lbs.

Scott Mayfield D Youngstown (USHL) 6′ 3.75″, 185 lbs.

Shane McColgan RW Kelowna (WHL) 5′ 8.25″, 170 lbs.

Garrett Meurs C Plymouth (OHL) 5′ 10.5″, 164 lbs.

Mike Morrison G Kitchener (OHL) 6′ 0.25″, 172 lbs.

Ryan Murphy D Kitchener (OHL) 5′ 10.75″, 160 lbs.

Matthew Nieto LW Boston U. (H-EAST) 5′ 11″, 180 lbs.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins C Red Deer (WHL) 5′ 11.5″, 155 lbs.

Xavier Ouellet D Montreal (QMJHL) 6′ 0″, 174 lbs.

Zack Phillips C Saint John (QMJHL) 6′ 1.25″, 177 lbs.

Alan Quine C Kingston (OHL) 5′ 10.25″, 168 lbs.

Ty Rattie RW Portland (WHL) 6′ 0″, 165 lbs.

Robbie Russo D USA U-18 (USHL) 6′ 0″, 180 lbs.

Nick Shore RW U. of Denver (WCHA) 6′ 0.5″, 191 lbs

Tyson Teichmann G Belleville (OHL) 6′ 0″, 139 lbs.

Zack Torquato ** C Erie (OHL) (2009-10) 5′ 11″, 198 lbs.

** overage player; not eligible for 2011 Entry Draft

So We’re All Decided, NHL Hard Knocks Needs to Happen, Right?

In case you haven’t noticed (why should you?) I’ve been working for SB Nation New York, SB Nation’s regional site dedicated to … wait for it … New York. On a whim, I decided I would do an AV Club/Television Without Pity style “recap” series for the HBO show, Hard Knocks, starring the New York Jets and Rex Ryan. You can read the first episode recap here. It was the first time I’d ever watched the series, which has had multiple incarnations over nearly a decade and, while it teetered on really boring at times, it was something I appreciated as it went on.

I believe I’ve written before in this space that the NHL should get involved with HBO Sports more than the one-off flirtation with that Flyers documentary. Why not try Hard Knocks: Hockey Edition? There are certainly a couple of teams in the post-lockout NHL that could be used. The Blackhawks certainly proved entertaining. The Capitals, I mean, Ovechkin and Boudreau could carry a 10-year series. The Flyers, with Pronger and the long-rumored locker room tensions between the players. The Sharks would be an interesting hockey story, but offers little in the way of personality to casual fans.

Like I said, the show can be really boring at times. Hockey players can be really, really boring at times. But why not take a shot on something edgy? Whenever the NHL produces anything, it can’t help but feel soft and down the middle. Hell, John Collins even said as much as that: he wants to keep the NHL Network from being too controversial or opinionated. Let the HBO folks draw some personality out of the game.  That, and lots and lots of swearing.

On the Fly to Air in HD This Season, Ending What Seems Like a Decade of Me Complaining About It

From Chris Botta’s must-read interview with NHL COO John Collins:

“Yes, ‘On the Fly’ will be available in HD this season,” said Collins, as if he anticipated the question.

“On the Fly” is the NHL Network equivalent of MLB Network’s “MLB Live Tonight.” “On the Fly” is for hockey junkies — an all-night barrage of highlights, commentary, interviews and live look-ins at games. However, since the network launched in 2007, the popular program has not been available in hi-def — a felony in Hockey Nation. No more.

Collins revealed that this season NHL Network is taking over the former studios of Rogers Sportsnet in Canada, “on the CTV campus,” as he called it. “On the Fly” will not see any drastic changes in editorial content, but everything else about the production will be elevated.

VERSUS Appears to Have Dropped Big 12, or 10, or … Whatever in 2010 Football Schedule

VERSUS’ College Football schedule is here by conference, and I’ll post it by date shortly.  It should be noted that it appears the Big 12 is no longer on the network, at least based on this.  Here’s the whole thing:

Sept. 2
8:30 Pittsburgh vs. Utah

Sept. 4
11:00 Wisconsin vs. UNLV

Sept. 11
4:00 BYU vs. Air Force

Sept. 18
4:30 Baylor vs. TCU

Oct. 2
2:30 Navy vs. Air Force

Oct. 9
7:00 Pac-10 TBA

Oct. 16
4:00 BYU vs. TCU
7:30 Pac-10 TBA

Oct. 30
7:00 Pac-10 TBA

Nov. 6
3:00 Penn vs. Princeton
7:00 Pac-10 TBA

Nov. 13
12:00 Brown vs. Dartmouth
4:00 San Diego St. vs. TCU
7:30 Pac-10 TBA

Nov. 20
12:00 Yale vs. Harvard

Nov. 27
4:00 TCU vs. New Mexico
7:30 Pac-10 TBA

Dec. 4
7:00 Pac-10 TBA 

Oilers and Flames End PPV Service in Landmark Deals with Rogers

Calgary, AB – Rogers Sportsnet today announced an unprecedented 10-year partnership with Alberta’s two National Hockey League teams, under which Rogers Sportsnet will be the clubs’ Official Television Broadcaster and provider of digital media content until 2020.

Beginning with the upcoming 2010-11 NHL season, Rogers Sportsnet West and Rogers Sportsnet ONE will combine to televise at least 58 Calgary Flames and 58 Edmonton Oilers games for 10 seasons within the Flames and Oilers regional territory which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

This agreement will also mean Alberta’s NHL hockey fans will no longer have to rely on Flames and Oilers Pay Per View broadcasts to in order to view games not being broadcast on Sportsnet West.

“Sportsnet has been a partner of both the Flames and Oilers since we launched back in 1998,” said Doug Beeforth, President, Rogers Sportsnet. “And as our relationship grew over the years, it became the foundation for this remarkable extension of the partnership. We could not be more excited and delighted about today’s announcement”.

Rogers Sportsnet ONE is a new 24-hour sports channel that will launch on Saturday, August 14th as the newest member of the Sportsnet family of channels, which includes Rogers Sportsnet West, the exclusive regional broadcaster of the Flames and Oilers since 1998.

“Rogers Sportsnet’s agreement with the Flames and Oilers ensures years of high quality production, maximum exposure, and full fan participation with their favourite Alberta team,” said Ken King, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Flames. “We are proud to be partners with Rogers Sportsnet.”

“I would call this agreement a milestone event for our organization and for our wonderful fans,” stated Patrick LaForge, Edmonton Oilers President and CEO. “Working together with Rogers Sportsnet, the Calgary Flames and the NHL, I believe we have created the most dynamic and dominant broadcast vehicle for our fans. It is equal to any television partnership anywhere in the NHL.”

NHL regional restrictions apply for Rogers Sportsnet West and Rogers Sportsnet ONE, with Flames and Oilers games made available to viewers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories.

Schedule details for Flames and Oilers games on Rogers Sportsnet ONE and Rogers Sportsnet West will be announced at a later date. Flames and Oilers fans should contact their local digital cable or satellite provider about ordering Rogers Sportsnet