Kukla's Korner Hockey
NHL On Versus Begins Thurdsay
by Paul on 09/29/09 at 10:43 AM ET
Comments (0)
NEW YORK, N.Y. (September 29, 2009)-VERSUS, the exclusive cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), kicks off its fifth year of NHL coverage on Thurs., Oct. 1, with a must-see night of hockey featuring three of the best teams during last year’s regular season. Opening night will also showcase NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin’s season debut and the Colorado Avalanche honoring 20-year NHL veteran Joe Sakic by retiring his jersey. The double-header begins with a clash between Eastern Conference titans when the Washington Capitals visit the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Avalanche hosting the San Jose Sharks at 10 p.m. ET.
As the fastest growing cable sports network in the country and on the heels of the most-watched September in network history, VERSUS continues its first week of NHL coverage on Friday, Oct. 2, with an overseas double-header featuring the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks at 12 p.m. ET from Helsinki, Finland, followed by a Central Division battle between the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings at 3 p.m. ET from Stockholm, Sweden.
Joe Beninati, Andy Brickley and new rinkside reporter Charissa Thompson will serve as the in-arena team in Boston, while Mike “Doc” Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and Bob Harwood will be on-site in Colorado for opening night. On Oct. 2, Dave Strader and Billy Jaffe will call the action for the Helsinki game and Rick Peckham and Darren Eliot will provide commentary for the contest in Stockholm.
VERSUS.com, which saw video views grow more than 140 percent during the 2008-09 NHL season, has been revamped to increase its comprehensive offerings to viewers. This season, team pages will include up-to-date statistical information for all NHL teams, a blog called “The Daily Drop” which will provide a daily update on what is happening in and around the NHL, interactive games and a new video feature titled “Rookie Diaries” which will spotlight the league’s top draft picks for this year’s regular season. The site will continue to include editorial coverage from some of the most knowledgeable hockey sources in the industry, exclusive videos and interviews as well as game highlights.
This season, VERSUS’ dedicated studio show Hockey Central, hosted by Bill Patrick with analysts Brian Engblom and Keith Jones, will feature high-profile guest analysts on select game telecasts for the first time. Details about guests will be announced when information becomes available, but may include former players and/or coaches. Hockey Central provides extensive insight and commentary of the sport and features regular segments, including highlights from games around the league; Plays of the Week; a telestrator segment in which Engblom breaks down and discusses the night’s top plays; Parting Shots, where Engblom and Jones debate hockey’s hottest topics in rapid fire fashion; Live-Look-Ins wherever possible, bringing viewers live action from games being played concurrently during VERSUS’ telecast; and features on NHL players away from the ice.
In addition to the VERSUS.com and Hockey Central enhancements, the network has added Charissa Thompson to the NHL on VERSUS talent roster. Thompson will serve as a rinkside reporter, providing in-game updates and on-the-bench interviews. Most recently, Thompson was a correspondent for the Best Damn Sport Show Period and served as the sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network’s Saturday game of the week.
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Video- The Relationship Between Brodeur And Kovalchuk
Video- “Lof Of Good Guys In Hockey”
It Will Be The New Jersey Devils Against The Los Angeles Kings In The 2012 Stanley Cup Final
Open Post- Rangers/Devils Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Make extra cash while playing online poker. Rakeback is free and comes with rake races.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.