NEW YORK (October 6, 2010) – Pittsburgh Penguins CEO/president David Morehouse and executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero are Thursday’s guests on NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio at 6 p.m., ET. The inaugural show of the season will be broadcast live from the new CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
VERSUS president Jamie Davis also will join Commissioner Bettman to discuss the network’s coverage of the 2010-11 season and its exclusive coverage Thursday night of the first regular-season NHL game at CONSOL.
CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh’s new multi-purpose entertainment venue, replaces Civic Arena/Mellon Arena, which had operated since 1961 and was home of the Penguins from their inception in 1967. It was the oldest arena in the National Hockey League.
“CONSOL Energy Center represents an exciting new era for the city, the region and the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Morehouse said. “With open concourses, comfortable seating, cutting-edge technology, a state-of-the-art scoreboard and sound system, and an extensive array of food and beverage options, it is a spectacular symbol for the Pittsburgh of the 21st century.”
In the past four years, Ray Shero has helped transform the Penguins from a team that did not qualify for the playoffs in 2005-06 to one that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2007-08 and won the Cup in 2008-09.
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 for the Commissioner. To submit questions to NHL Hour call 1-877-645-6696.
NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman is a production of NHL Radio.
NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 5, 2010)—VERSUS will drop the puck on the 2010/11 NHL regular season, and its sixth year of on-ice action, with an unprecedented amount of coverage featuring nine games across the first seven days of the season. The network’s coverage begins with a triple-header on Thursday when the Carolina Hurricanes battle the Minnesota Wild from Helsinki, Finland, at 12 p.m. ET, followed by a Keystone State showdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. ET before finishing the night with a match-up featuring the Colorado Avalanche and 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. ET. Every NHL game on VERSUS is available in HD.
The first week of coverage continues with three additional overseas games from Helsinki; Stockholm, Sweden and Prague, Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday afternoon. The network will then feature exclusive coverage of the Colorado Avalanche/Detroit Red Wings contest on October 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET in VERSUS’ regularly-scheduled Tuesday night slot, as well as games on Wednesday (New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET) and Thursday night (Tampa Bay Lightning at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET), marking the first time in network history that bonus games will be played during the opening week.
During each NHL season, VERSUS always seeks to institute production enhancements to provide an even better viewing experience for fans. After receiving huge acclaim for utilizing a hi-motion super slow mo camera during the 2010 postseason, VERSUS will add this technology, which provides viewers with greater in-game analysis, to select games throughout the regular season.
The network’s studio show, Hockey Central, with host Bill Patrick and analysts Keith Jones and Brian Engblom will wrap up each night of NHL coverage. In addition, VERSUS is increasing its on-air studio presence by adding pre-game shows before 30 game telecasts this season, starting on October 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The added pre-game shows will allow the network to air additional features profiling the on- and off-ice personalities of the players in a more in-depth and complete manner.
Last year Hockey Central featured high-profile guest analysts during regular season coverage and will continue to feature guests on select telecasts this year. Darren McCarty, 17-year NHL veteran and four-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings, will once again join the studio team as will Aaron Ward, who secured three Stanley Cup Champion titles during his 13 years in the NHL. The studio show will also feature Mike Milbury, currently an analyst for NHL telecasts on NBC and CBC and whose NHL tenure included a 12-season career with the Boston Bruins and as GM of the Islanders, on several telecasts. Dave Maloney, who played in the NHL for 11 seasons and was the youngest player to serve as Captain for the New York Rangers, will also make in-studio appearances.
Shortly after announcing the 2010/11 regular season schedule, VERSUS picked up an additional bonus game which will feature the Florida Panthers at the Washington Capitals on December 9. This addition brings VERSUS’ total number of games to 79, 14 more than last season, including 53 exclusive games and 26 bonus games.
The network will also air All-Star weekend and cap off the final week of the regular season with a game each night (Monday-Friday) leading into the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. One major addition to VERSUS’ 2010/11 regular season schedule is coverage of the NHL Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames from McMahon Stadium on Sunday, February 20, at 6 p.m. ET. This game, which is the first outdoor game in Canada since 2003, is also the first outdoor game ever broadcast on cable in the United States. For the network’s complete schedule, visit www.VERSUS.com.
VERSUS is entering the 2010/11 regular season with a ton of momentum based on tremendous ratings and viewership successes last season. The network saw a 33-percent spike in HH ratings and a 20-percent increase in average viewership for the final six weeks of exclusive regular season game coverage as compared to the season prior. In the postseason, the Conference Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds were the most-watched first two rounds on cable since NHL Playoff viewership became available by Nielsen in the 1993/94 season, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final made VERSUS the most-watched cable network in the country while Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Final averaged 3.369 million viewers, up five percent over the 2009 average (3.212 million viewers). Overall, last year’s postseason was the most-watched on cable since 2002.
VERSUS prides itself on super-serving passionate sports fans across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 75 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR). VERSUS also airs NASCAR, NBA, UFC, college football and college basketball programming. The network is home to the best outdoor programming on television and airs original programs not available anywhere else, including The Daily Line and The T.Ocho Show. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.
Welcome to Part 1 of Puck the Media’s two-part NHL Season Preview for 2010-11. Hope you enjoy gobbing heaps – or heaping gobs – of irony!
When I was a young boy, age of 12, I was confused. I didn’t know where I fit in, and I was struggling to find myself in this crazy world. Then, one day, in a store called Best Buy, I found a CD with one only one word on it. It was a word that changed my life, and the lives of millions of others.
Hoobastank.
“Wow,” I said “they must be the greatest band ever. No band would ever be allowed to have a record contract or any measure of success with a name that terrible.” Little did I know how right I was. Hoobastank went on to change lives, sell out stadiums, and sell over thousands of hundreds of albums throughout the past decade. I’ve long wondered how I can pay tribute to them.
Then, it dawned on me. I can combine my two greatest loves – the wonderful sport of hockey and the wonderful bro-rock of Hoobastank – by making a combo preview. Hoobastank and hockey – together at last! Huzzah!
So, I sent out a few feelers. I tried to e-mail the members of Hoobastank to see if they could help me in my quest. I really wanted to get the hockey knowledge of lead singer, Doug Robb.
He’s a brilliant, passionate poet who wrote words that licked my delicate soul, such as:
But its not all about you,
all about you,
the more you speak the less I care about
you, you, you, YOU!!!
Gah, what human being who hasn’t developed any worldview or cultural taste wouldn’t flock to that en masse? It’s what’s made Hoobastank the multi-billion platinum-selling alt-bro-rockers they are today. In fact, Mr. Robb is a hockey fan, having written about the NHL lockout back in 2005, as the inspiration for the song “If I Were You.”:
” ‘If I Were You …’ was really inspired by, um, the NHL strike. Not like ‘Oh, I’m going to write a song about hockey!’ but watching all that — and going on tour with Velvet Revolver — you see all these guys who have so much and don’t appreciate it,” he said. “They seem to have forgotten where they came from. Actually, let me rephrase that: Four of those guys were the coolest ever, one of them is just in his own world. And I’ll leave it at that.”
Here’s the song it inspired:
Isn’t that great and not self-serving or indulgent coming from a multi-millionaire post-grungee? Guys? Bueller?
So, when I sent out the feelers, I got a response from a PR person. She said that Mr. Robb was “unable to afford a computer at the moment, due to irreconcilable differences with his previous PC.” I was stunned that the computer world was trying to fight my poet-laureate hero, and thought about then and there quitting using technology for the rest of my life.
Then, two things happened. 1. I realized I could no longer listen to music, or Hoobastank, if I went ahead with that. 2. I realized there was more to the letter. Mr. Robb was willing to give his brief, but valuable thoughts on all 30 teams if I was willing to accept his responses via carrier pigeon.
Then I waited for the summer for all of them to arrive, and yesterday, the last of them did! So now we can begin with the preview! Day one is the East, day two is the West. Much like Hoobastank, you’ll be left wondering what the hell you just listened to at the end. Enjoy.
15. Florida Panthers
Why They’re Here: Because I literally can’t name a player on this team other than Scott Clemmensen.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Hell freezes over.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Anything other than that happens.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Up and Gone”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Aw shoot, I remember when we shot the awful video for this song. I was tellin’ the director, like ‘dude, doesn’t this look exactly like that Incubus video?’ and he was like ‘doesn’t everything you do look like an Incubus video?’ and I was like ‘touche’ and then I ate a sandwich.”
14. Atlanta Thrashers
Why They’re Here: Because they traded for all the parts of the Blackhawks that will be great second gear players in the playoffs, but none of the players that actually helped get them there.
Will Make the Playoffs If: The defense continues to grow and mesh into the promising unit they appear to be, and if the pieces all do meld together correctly, and a few unexpected names reach 30 goals. Looking at you, Niclas Bergfors.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Zach Bogosian is their leading scorer, and if neither goalie manages to hit 55 games.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Pieces”.
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Aw, brah, I totally love going to Atlanta man. Greatest city on Earth. They got hockey there now? Oh, they’ll be fine as long as Dominique Wilkins is still on the team. He was great for the Falcons last year, too.”
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
Why They’re Here: Because I just don’t see them being better than these other 12 teams. I feel like a lot of people rank them higher than they should be because they’re afraid Brian Burke will eat them.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Kessel scores 50 goals, and that isn’t the most on the team by more than 20.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Brian Burke eats Phil Kessel.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Crawling in the Dark”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Aw dip, Toronto, Canada? They got hockey in Canada now? That’s alright. Well brah, I been to Canada before, and it’s a pretty serious place. They got 10 or 15 bands that sound exactly like us, and they were like ‘Pft, we don’t need to hear no Americans do this shit, we got Hedley.’ Hedley was nice though. We didn’t go back to Canada though. We’re more of a success in a place like Japan, where the entire country doesn’t get English.’
12. New York Islanders
Why They’re Here: They were here before all the injuries, I’m just trying to be fair.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Tavares keeps them afloat til’ December, DiPietro stays healthy.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: DiPietro stays healthy until about 16 seconds into game one.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Too Little Too Late”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Aw bro, what is this, Nino Niedereitter? That’s some crazy razzmatazz right there. We had a bass player named Markuu Lappalainen, in fact, his middle name was Hoobastank. Ya dig me? We use the middle name of a guy who isn’t even in the band anymore! Can we get more punk rock? I love turkeys.”
11. New York Rangers
Why They’re Here: Because I’m a hater. Also, I don’t think Gaborik stays healthy another year, which I guess is another example of me being a hater. But you don’t look to me for expert stuff.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Gaborik scores 50 and the defense continues to develop. Lundqvist gets decent backup from Martin Biron.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Wade Redden comes back.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Running Away”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Yo dudebrah, you know how the guitar player in that video’s playing an electric guitar but the whole first verse is acoustic? Guess what? He’s not really playing guitar at all! It’s just a backing track! What’s this, another New York team? Are they like the Mets or the Yankees?”
10. Montreal Canadiens
Why They’re Here: Jesus Price will not save your soul.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Another goalie pops up, or Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalieri somehow recreate their playoff magic.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Scott Gomez’s dad makes statements in the media.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Out of Control”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Another Canada team? It’s like they like hockey like I love a good cherry pie up there in the Canadaland. This reminds of a time when we played a gig in Japan, and they love us there, we’re like the hockey of Japan. Nobody else really likes us anymore.”
9. Carolina Hurricanes
Why They’re Here: I feel like they could be a surprise team for the first half, but they’ll fade to the back once things get tough.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Cam Ward has another ridiculous season.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: There’s another Devils season to ruin.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “So Close, So Far”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Man, this song is tight! I’m glad you picked it for Carolina, because I love me a hurricane. You know, some people say our band is the reason natural disasters happen! What a complement, those things are crazy, just like our band.”
8. Ottawa Senators
Why They’re Here: Like all #8 picks, they’re a team you don’t really know all that much about, but you like them a little more than your other bubble teams, and I like Daniel Alfredsson.
Will Make the Playoffs If: They get at least semi-competent goaltending.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: If the loss of Volchenkov is more gaping than anyone originally thought.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Same Direction”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Brodawg, where the high hell is Ottawa? Man, you just making up cities now. I remember what time, we were in some place called ‘Alabama’? I mean, that’s gotta’ be made up. Tell you what’s not made up: Japanese girls. Those girls are my thing, and the only girls that recognize me as a celebrity. Sweet.”
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Why They’re Here: I think Vinny Lecavalier’s due for a rebound season, and they have the core to support him if he does. A lot better than I think even the people that have them pegged as a surprise team do.
Will Make the Playoffs If: If Steven Stamkos turns into one of the league’s elite, consistent snipers.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: If they start having #DanEllisProblems.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Inside of You”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Lecavalier? That’s another one of them funny names. Hockey sure has a bunch of funny names, reminds me of being in Europe. Do they have Europeans in hockey? I love Europeans. Malaria is a terrible disease.”
6. Buffalo Sabers
Why They’re Here: They always seem to sneak in, but I don’t see them as much of a team outside of Miller, one of the biggest goaltending talents of his generation.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Ryan Miller is Ryan Miller.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: If Ryan Miller is not Ryan Miller. Simple as that.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Disappear”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Man, back in the days when we used to tour with Incubus, it was rough. Because nobody knew that we were actually a different band and not just Incubus wanting to keep a toe in the ‘awful, lame, bland rock’ genre when they went on to better things. Buffalo reminds me of that time.”
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Why They’re Here: The Flyers were pesky all of last year, and they will be again this year, despite obvious goaltending flaws. Hasn’t mattered in the past.
Will Make the Playoffs If: They use fewer than 14 goalies.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Chris Pronger continues to show the fatigue he showed in the playoffs.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “Face the Music”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Philadelphia Flyers. Man, I saw an HBO show on them before they caught me stealin’ my neighbor’s cable package. They were cool as hell. Are some of those guys on this team?”
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
Why They’re Here: I don’t think they’re as good a regular season team as New Jersey, however, I see them likely making another legitimate run to at least the Eastern Final.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Jordan Staal manages 50 points.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Sidney Crosby manages 50 points.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “More Than a Memory (Part II)”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Can you believe we have a song in two parts? That I actually couldn’t finish my thought into one terribly bland song and had to begin another? Unbelievable. But the fans love it. Japan loves two part songs. I love sushi.”
3. Boston Bruins
Why They’re Here: They’re just slightly better than everyone else in the Northeast. I have a feeling we might hear more than one “Northeast is the new Southeast” jokes this year.
Will Make the Playoffs If: They continue to play Claude Julien’s system, which has proven successful during the regular season.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: The memory of 2009 hangs over them.
Hoobastank song to describe them:
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Aw, Boston’s a great city, because they literally have no discerning taste in music. They’re so into sports, they don’t really care if you’re a good band or not. It’s just something to do on an off night from some sports thing. Incidentally, they’re one of our most dedicated fanbases.”
2. New Jersey Devils
Why They’re Here: They destroyed my summer, I’m deluding myself into thinking they’ll be better than last year no matter what.
Will Make the Playoffs If: Ilya Kovalchuk scores 600 goals this season.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Anything less is unacceptable.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “New Jersey? Next question.”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says:
1. Washington Capitals
Why They’re Here: Because the window is never going to be more wide open than it is now.
Will Make the Playoffs If: They play every game on one skate.
Won’t Make the Playoffs If: Ovechkin goes down for the entire season.
Hoobastank song to describe them: “The Reason”
Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb says: “Aw, you posted ‘The Reason’! The only song of ours that both your 10-year old brother and his 60-year old grandma likes. And you did it for your #1 team. Aw, this is gonna’ make our next record sell, like, six and half copies!”
Tomorrow: See if you can bear with me for the Western Conference.
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.
NEW YORK/TORONTO (October 4, 2010) – The National Hockey League (NHL) will celebrate the opening of the 2010-11 NHL season on October 7 with 2010 NHL Face-Off™, a hockey and entertainment festival at Dundas Square in downtown Toronto. From Noon until the conclusion of the Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game at Air Canada Centre, the NHL® and ten official League partners will treat fans at Dundas Square to live musical performances; interactive attractions that test hockey skills; prizing and giveaways, including a chance to win a trip to the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic™ courtesy of Canadian Tire; special guest appearances including former NHL players; food, beverage and merchandise tents; and live game broadcasts on giant video screens.
NHL Network™, CBC and VERSUS will broadcast from Dundas Square throughout the day. Portions of CBC’s pre-game show, Scotiabank Hockey Tonight, will air live from Dundas Square beginning nationally at 6:30 p.m. ET. With multiple video screens surrounding the 2010 NHL Face-Off area in Dundas Square, fans also will be able to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Philadelphia Flyers, while the “Battle of Alberta” with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames will be available for fans to view at the Official 2010 NHL Face-Off After Party at Maison Club.
“It’s very satisfying to see the excitement from our fans at the start of each season and we’re glad that we will be able to provide them with such a memorable experience with help from our partners,” shares Brian Jennings, NHL Executive Vice President of Marketing. “NHL Face-Off is one of the League’s signature events that creates a call-to-action for hockey fans of every team and provides a meaningful opportunity for our partners to activate against and engage with a highly desirable demographic.”
While festivities are underway in Toronto, an unprecedented six NHL teams – Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks – will open their season by playing six games in Europe as part of 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere™ and 2010 NHL Face-Off™. Title sponsor Compuware is joined by Reebok, Blackberry, ESPN America, McDonald’s, Panini, and Elisa (Helsinki only) in support of the fourth consecutive year of regular-season games taking place across Europe.
The following is a breakdown of partner activation for 2010 NHL Face-Off.
Corporate Marketing Partner Face-Off Initiatives
Blackberry
BlackBerry® Brand Ambassadors will be on site giving away merchandise and providing demos of BlackBerry smartphones and apps. Fans will be able to BBM™ the team for battery swaps and to receive BlackBerry accessories, BBMe t-shirts and screen wipes.
Bridgestone
Bridgestone has developed a shoot-out skills competition where fans will attempt to shoot pucks past a goalie from a local highschool for a chance to win a set of Bridgestone Blizzak Tires.
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire has created a green screen for fans to get their photo taken with a simulated Blackhawks Captain and current Stanley Cup® Champion Jonathan Toews.
On-site kiosks will allow fans to sign up to become a member of the Canadian Tire Hockey School.
EA Sports
EA Sports is working with Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Wii to set-up a demo station for NHL11 and NHL Slap Shot with prizes given away on-site.
Honda
Honda has developed an interactive stick handling challenge that will be set-up like an obstacle course for players to test their stick handling skills. Honda will be handing out pairs of tickets to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Also, the all-new Honda Odyssey will be on display for all fans to experience this exciting new vehicle.
Labatt
In the Bud Light Beer Garden, the “Hardest Shot” will be hosted where fans have the opportunity to test the difference in speed of shot using different projectiles – real puck, plastic puck, tennis ball, road hockey ball and sponge puck. Speed is measured on reader board with a “shot of the day” board tracking the best shots per ball/puck type.
Bud Light will also present a hockey trivia game that will run throughout the afternoon giving away Bud Light prize packs.
PepsiCo
Inspired by Sidney Crosby’s favorite childhood pastime of shooting pucks into a dryer in the basement of his family home, PepsiCo will set up an actual dryer into which fans may try to shoot pucks into. PepsiCo will also give fans the opportunity to win a chance to meet Sidney Crosby at the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic ®.
To promote their low calorie drink Pepsi Max, PepsiCo will be handing out cooked bacon slices to connect to Pepsi Max’s “save the calories for bacon” campaign.
Scotiabank
Fans are invited to dress up in goalie equipment and test their skills in net by making saves against foam pucks. Fans will also have the opportunity to develop their memory skills as they play ‘What’s In The Tin?’ for a chance to win regular season NHL tickets and Gary Roberts’ autographed jerseys.
Visa
Visa Infinite Cardholders will be given Visa NHL merchandise when they show their Visa Infinite Card to the Visa representatives at Visa’s on-site tent.
In addition, Visa Infinite Cardholders will have the chance to get Curtis Joseph’s autograph at the Visa tent from 5:15 – 6:45 pm.
XM Satellite Radio – North America
XM will create a shoot-out area, give away coupons for XM service and accessories, and register participants for the XM Home Ice Advantage Contest via iPads.
Additional details, including applicable rules, regarding these exciting NHL partner initiatives will be available on-site at the NHL Face-Off event.
Earlier this month we brought you the news that “Goon,” a Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg-penned screenplay that we hope will develop into this generation’s “Slapshot,” was set to begin production in Winnipeg. At 2:32 a.m. this morning our source confirmed to GTOG that Seann William Scott will indeed play the lead role of enforcer Doug “the Thug” Glatt. Despite all kinds of speculation to the contrary, he will NOT be involved in the Kevin Smith project “Hit Somebody.” We new SWS was leaning this way, but the major breaking news of the morning is the addition of Schreiber as Glatt’s antagonist Ross “The Boss” Reardon. This is a HUGE coup for the “Goon” production. Schreiber is a serious, method actor, and he’ll bring an authenticity and real sense of menace to the role. You may have seen him recently in the Angelina Jolie film Salt or as “Sabretooth” in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. We predict a handle-bar mustache and a perfect Canadian accent.
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.
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.
NEW YORK (October 1, 2010) – The National Hockey League (NHL) will open the 2010-11 season with a national advertising campaign designed to build on the hope and anticipation and feed the excitement fans and players have for the season. Five Questions Will Become Answers™ spots will debut Friday, Oct. 1 on NHL Network™, NHL.com and the official NHL® fan page on Facebook.
Each spot features a player performing a rigorous off-ice training routine while two sports talk radio analysts are heard in the background, providing running commentary on team and player performances from last season and the outlook for the upcoming season. The sports talk analysts raise questions shared by fans and players alike – questions that can only be answered on the ice, once the season starts.
“Each season, our fans bring a sense of anticipation and excitement to the start of the season,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Executive Vice President, Marketing. “The campaign is intended to not only ask the provocative questions that fans have on their minds about their favorite teams but to also showcase the intense training and preparation the players endure to the answer those questions.”
In one spot, the radio hosts ponder whether “the Penguins rebound and return to the top” as Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby throws a heavy medicine ball while teetering on a balance board supported only by a metal pipe. In another, Washington captain Alex Ovechkin snaps two heavy tabata ropes back and forth with extra vigor when the hosts question whether the Capitals can “be the best team in the regular season and the playoffs.”
Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews performs squats as the analysts muse whether the Blackhawks have “what it takes” to “repeat as champs” when “they’ll have a target on their backs every night.” Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller works on his hand-eye coordination by rapidly bouncing tennis balls off a wall outdoors while the commentators ask “will these Sabres be the ones that win the Stanley Cup®?” Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri is seen flipping a huge tire on an outdoor court while the commentators ask “did the Canadiens just get hot at the right time, or are they really that good?”
In addition to the five national spots, 30 team-specific television spots featuring each club’s players were created for in-NHL market use. The campaign also will be supported through online digital banners, in-store POP and social media platforms. NHL Live! host Don La Greca and frequent contributors E.J. Hradek and Billy Jaffe lend their voices to all five national spots and the 30 local commercials.
Creative was developed by the National Hockey League with creative consulting by global advertising agency Young & Rubicam.
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