SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League and Sportsnet announced today the addition of two AHL games to the network’s broadcast schedule, ensuring fans continue to receive weekly live AHL hockey into the New Year.
Saturday, Jan. 5 – Rockford IceHogs at Toronto Marlies
3 ET/noon PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
The Rockford IceHogs (top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks) roll into to the Ricoh Coliseum to take on the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) in this Western Conference match-up. The Hockey Central team of Jeff Marek, Brad May and John Shannon will provide pre-game and intermission analysis while Joe Bowen and Greg Millen return to the broadcast booth to provide play-by-play and analysis, respectively, and Paul Hendrick and Jim Ralph host from rinkside.
Saturday, Jan. 12 – Chicago Wolves at Abbotsford Heat
10 ET/7 PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
The Chicago Wolves (Vancouver Canucks) look to cool the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames) at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Rob Kerr handles the play-by-play and is joined by analysts Charlie Simmer and John Garrett in the broadcast booth. Roger Millions rounds out the broadcast team as host.
Sportsnet’s broadcast coverage of the American Hockey League continues this weekend with two games. The St. John’s IceCaps (Winnipeg Jets) visit the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens) tonight at 7:30 ET/4:30 PT on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific, and the Chicago Wolves (Vancouver Canucks) host the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames) Saturday at 8 ET/5 PT on Sportsnet ONE.
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League continues to serve as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives and broadcasters of all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 11th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2011-12. Through the years, the AHL has been home to more than 100 future members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, including legends such as Johnny Bower, Andy Bathgate, Gerry Cheevers, Larry Robinson, Patrick Roy and Brett Hull.
