NHL Network to Broadcast Three CHL Regular Season Games
Toronto, ON – As teams wrangle for playoff positions, U.S. fans will get a taste of Canadian Hockey League (CHL) action in the month leading up to the league’s pinnacle tournament — the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The NHL Network U.S. in association with the CHL today announced it will carry three regular-season CHL games during the month of March — highlighted by a Windsor-London clash on March 12. Windsor’s roster includes two of the top three rated prospects for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, LW Taylor Hall and D Cam Fowler.
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The CHL has been the training grounds for more than half of all NHL players. It is also home to the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where every year top-ranked NHL prospects showcase their talent for NHL scouts and management. NHL stars that have participated in the game include John Tavares, Chris Phillips, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Rick Nash, Marc-Andre Fleury, Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos and this year’s top ranked player at the mid-term, Hall of the Windsor Spitfires.
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CHL games on NHL Network U.S. will begin this Sunday with a match-up of Western Hockey League rivals. Led by Los Angeles Kings 2009 draft pick RW Brandon Kozun (94 points), the Eastern Conference-leading Calgary Hitmen will play host to the third-place Saskatoon Blades at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
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The next featured game, an OHL clash for first place, features the Western Conference leader and 2009 Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires against the second-place London Knights at 7:00 p.m. ET on March 12. Spitfires LW Hall and D Fowler, the first- and third-ranked North American skaters in the NHL’s mid-term rankings for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, led Team Canada and Team USA, respectively, to the thrilling gold-medal game of the 2010 World Junior Championship in January that was won in overtime by the Americans.
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NHL Network U.S. takes viewers to the east coast and the QMJHL on March 14, when the top-ranked Saint John Sea Dogs, led by C Mike Hoffman (drafted 130th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2009), visit the Moncton Wildcats with top-ranked QMJHL prospect D Brandon Gormley at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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The MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament, which will take place May 14-23 in Brandon, Manitoba, will also be telecast live on NHL Network U.S. Broadcast details and times will be available at a later date.
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The NHL Network broadcasts will be using the feed provided by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, the official broadcast partners of the CHL.
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CHL on NHL Network U.S. Broadcast Schedule
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Date Game Time
Sunday, March 7 Saskatoon Blades at Calgary Hitmen 7:00 pm ET
Friday, March 12 Windsor Spitfires at London Knights 7:00 pm ET
Sunday, March 14 Saint John Sea Dogs at Moncton Wildcats 7:00 pm ET
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About the Canadian Hockey League:
The Canadian Hockey League is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and five American states. The CHL is made up of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League than any other league. Last season 527 graduates attended Canadian Universities on scholarships from CHL teams.
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 simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, 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 on NHL Network, log on to nhlnetwork.com.