Entries with the tag: espn

Hockey Media Approval Ratings: John Buccigross

Our first ESPN hockey outcast on the HMAR.  John Buccigross joined ESPN and ESPNews in 1996 as a SportsCenter anchor.  He became the full time host of the now missed NHL2Nite.  He is still one of the only people they let touch hockey highlights at the network.

Bucci’s shtick has died down quite a bit since he stopped hosting NHL2Night.  He’s, in fact, one of the least annoying SportsCenter personalities, I may say.  He is, to paraphrase himself, to SportsCenter what Johnny 5 is to up-and-coming hip-hop/rock combo Flobots.  That said, I felt that the network wasted him at big events in favor of John Saunders and Steve Levy.  I’ve traded E-Mails with Bucci, and he is a genuinely nice guy.

So, what do you guys think of what Bucci is doing?

Hotstove: Could the Mullet be back in the Coaching Ranks?

According to Al Strachan on Saturday’s “Hockey Night in Canada” Satellite Hotstove, Tampa coach John Tortorella is on the outs.  Who might be the favorite to replace him?

The world’s greatest mullet.  That’s right, Barry Melrose would be prospective owner Owen Koules’ favorite on the list.  Tampa GM Jay Feaster would stick it out for the last two years of his contract.

I only post this because it’d make me wonder, since Melrose has been synonymous with ESPN’s hockey coverage for so long, where would they even go to replace him?

My best be would be that Ray Ferraro, former NBC studio analyst who recently worked the NCAA Frozen Four for the WWL, or Darren Pang, who left Bristol on good terms for Phoenix Coyotes color analysis, would likely be the men for Melrose’s chair.  Of course, Bill Clement is always available too.

And remember, it IS Al Strachan talking.

Bettman: “Anticipate the Status Quo” on TV Deal

I’ll admit that I don’t always listen to “The NHL Hour” with Commissioner Gary Bettman.  But yesterday’s broadcast, which also featured an interview with Gordie Howe and you can listen to on NHL.com in their podcast section, provided a noteworthy nugget of television news by way of a question from a caller on the possibility of doing a new broadcast deal, possibily with ESPN, though he hates ESPN, yet he loves Gary Thorne and VERSUS.  Anyway, here is Commissioner Bettman’s response:

Continue Reading »

Bucci Calls the Action

From The Boston Globe:

Starting tomorrow, the ESPN anchor will realize a dream when he handles play-by-play duties for the Northeast Regional hockey games of the NCAA Tournament at DCU Center in Worcester. No. 1 seed Miami (Ohio) will face No. 4 Air Force at 4 p.m., followed by No. 3 Boston College against No. 2 Minnesota at 7:30. The BC game will be televised locally on Channel 38. Buccigross will also call Sunday’s regional final with analyst Barry Melrose on ESPNU.

Continue Reading:

Catch Some Hockey Madness This Weekend

Every year, when most Americans concern themselves with college basketball, I try to get excited about the NCAA Hockey Tournament.  But I don’t usually, because, ya know, I have an NHL team to worry about, and that’s hard enough (Thanks a lot, Sheldon Brookbank and Travis Zajac).  But I’m going to really try this year, because I am after all, a hockey addict.  Plus, the Devils have the weekend off.  Anywho, a reminder that the tournament airs on ESPNU and many local sports networks (like MSG Plus, FSN North and FSN Detroit) across the country, so make sure to check it out.  Here’s a TV Schedule and some players to watch, in case your into seeing the future of your team play.

Continue Reading »

ESPN Family of Networks go Round the Clock on NCAA Tourney

From ESPN Media Zone:

ESPNU, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will combine for complete coverage of all 15 games from the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship March 23-April 12. For the first time ever, ESPNU will telecast eight regional games exclusively, while ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband service, will supplement the TV network’s coverage by offering seven games live, including the Frozen Four.

The Frozen Four will be presented live from Denver on ESPN2, which will feature both national semifinal games Thursday, April 10, at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. ESPN will televise the national championship Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m.  All three games will also be offered on ESPN360.com.

More including some very interesting commentating teams for this tournament, if your an ESPN-NHL nostalgic like me.  A reminder that you can check out who’s playing here.