There is no doubt the NHL continues to gain momentum with attendance up, national and local TV ratings nearing all-time records and sponsors falling all over themselves to be a part of the league.
The latest example of the rise of the NHL comes Sunday when NBC and its new little brother Versus dedicate an entire day of coverage to the first “Hockey Day in America.” There will be at least nine hours of hockey action on the two networks. NBC starts things off at noon with a pregame show outdoors from Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Then the Capitals will be part of the big day with their game in Buffalo being telecast by NBC at 12:30 p.m., followed at 3:30 p.m. by the Pittsburgh vs. Chicago game. Next comes the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic at 6 p.m. on Versus, with Calgary hosting Montreal in front of about 50,000 fans at McMahon Stadium.
I spoke to Brian Engblom — an inside-the-glass analyst for Versus — who will be in Calgary for the big day.
Engblom on how this got started » The day is based on “Hockey Day in Canada,” and we will be doing features all day long on the parents that take their kids to games and to practice. This is about the people who help grow the sport in this country. One of the many stories will focus on Neal Henderson, who founded the Fort DuPont ice hockey program in inner-city Washington, D.C., in 1978 and has helped make a difference in the lives of countless children and young adults ever since.
Engblom on the impact of the new relationship between NBC and Versus » It is a great relationship that has gotten better. We have been together less than a month, and the cross-promotion and the sharing of talent and ideas just keeps flowing. I think that hockey fans will see that all day Sunday as we go from what should be an outstanding doubleheader on NBC to one of the biggest events in Canada since the Olympics.
Engblom on the Caps » They have 28 or so games to get that Washington swagger back before the playoffs begin. Last season, they were the aggressor — a team that really took it to you. I know they felt that they needed to work on their defense, but the Caps are at their best when they are playing wide-open, crash-the-net hockey. I think they can get that back. I know that Bruce Boudreau, Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom and the rest of the team just need to get out of the slump and play their style.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
