- NHL on CTV Sportsnet
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NHL on CTV Sportsnet was CTV Sportsnet's broadcast of National Hockey League games. CTV Sportsnet held the national cable rights for NHL regular season and playoff games from 1998 to 2002. The broadcasts were sponsored by Labatt.
Contents
History
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998. The name was chosen to match the regional Fox Sports Net operations in the United States. CTV owned 40% and was the managing partner of the new network; Rogers Media, Molson and Fox Entertainment Group each owned 20%.[1]
The new network wrestled the NHL Canadian cable package away from long-time holder TSN. From 1998–99 until 2001–02, Sportsnet aired Labatt Blue Tuesday Night Hockey to a national audience during the regular season and covered first-round playoff series not involving Canadian teams. On the day CTV Sportsnet went on the air, its first live sports event was an NHL opening-night telecast between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.[1] The national cable rights have since returned to TSN, though Sportsnet retains regional rights to five of six Canadian-based clubs.
On-air staff
Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson served as the lead broadcast team.[2] Kevin Quinn and Ryan Walter served as the secondary team.[3] Darren Dreger was as the studio host[2] and Greg Millen (1998-1999)[4], Nick Kypreos (1998-2002)[5], Mike Keenan (1999-2000)[3], Scott Morrison (2001-2002), and John Garrett (2001-2002) worked as studio analysts.
Playoff coverage
Year Round Series Games covered Play-by-play Colour commentators(s) 1999 Conference quarterfinals New Jersey-Pittsburgh Game 4 (ESPN2's feed) Dave Strader Brian Engblom San Jose-Colorado Games 1–6 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson Detroit-Anaheim Games 1–4 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson 2000 Conference quarterfinals Philadelphia-Buffalo Games 1–5 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson St. Louis-San Jose Game 5 Kevin Quinn Ryan Walter Colorado-Phoenix Games 1–5 Kevin Quinn (Games 1–4)
Jim Hughson (Game 5)Ryan Walter (Games 1–4)
Craig Simpson (Game 5)2001 Conference quarterfinals New Jersey-Carolina Game 2 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson Washington-Pittsburgh Games 1–4, 6 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson Philadelphia-Buffalo Games 1, 4–6 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson Detroit-Los Angeles Games 3–4 Kevin Quinn Ryan Walter St. Louis-San Jose Game 4 Kevin Quinn Ryan Walter 2002 Conference quarterfinals Carolina-New Jersey Game 2 Kevin Quinn Ryan Walter Colorado-Los Angeles Games 1–2, 4–7 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson (Games 1, 4–7)
Ryan Walter (Game 2)San Jose-Phoenix Game 1, Games 3–5 Jim Hughson Craig Simpson St. Louis-Chicago Game 1 Kevin Quinn Ryan Walter Theme song
Stompin' Tom Connors' "The Hockey Song" was used as a theme song for CTV Sportsnet's NHL broadcasts.
References
- ^ a b "From inspiration to perspiration". Sportsnet.ca. Rogers Sportsnet. http://www.sportsnet.ca/more/2008/10/08/sportsnet_10yrs/. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Cruyff people's choice to coach Dutch team". Toronto Star. July 25, 1998. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/444392141.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ a b "CBC comes close to dream schedule". Toronto Star. April 11, 2000. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/426701141.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ "Sportsnet impresses, with a few exceptions". Toronto Star. October 11, 1998. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/444506151.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ "Nick Kypreos Bio". Sportsnet.ca. Rogers Sportsnet. http://www.sportsnet.ca/bios/kypreos_nick/. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
Related articles "The Hockey Song" • Entry Draft broadcastersKey figures Darren Dreger • John Garrett • Jim Hughson • Mike Keenan • Nick Kypreos • Greg Millen • Scott Morrison • Craig Simpson • Kevin Quinn • Ryan WalterNHL on CTV Related programs Related articles Carling O'Keefe • Stanley Cup Finals television ratingsCommentators Key figures Stanley Cup Finals Lore National Hockey League on national television Contract history Ice hockey broadcasting • Sports television broadcast contracts (Canada) • Sports television broadcast contracts (United States) • History of the NHL on United States televisionAmerican network broadcasters Canadian network broadcasters American pay TV carriers Canadian pay TV carriers NHL owned and operated entities NHL Network (1975–79) • NHL Network (American) • NHL Network (Canadian) • NHL Center Ice (American) • NHL Centre Ice (Canadian)News television series Specialty programming Broadcasters by event All-Star Game • Entry Draft • Stanley Cup playoffs (Original Six era) • Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals • Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals • Stanley Cup Finals • Winter ClassicLocal broadcasters Individual networksIndividual seriesFlyers Post Game Live • Hockey Night Live! • Pittsburgh Penguins ConfidentialRatings Categories: National Hockey League on television | Canadian sports television series | Sports telecast series | Rogers Sportsnet shows | 1998 Canadian television series debuts | 2002 Canadian television series endings | 1990s Canadian television series | 2000s Canadian television series
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