AHL, Leafs TV announce broadcast agreement

John Shannon, executive producer of Leafs TV, announced Tuesday that the digital television network has acquired the rights to a minimum of 10 live American Hockey League games during the 2004-05 season. The first five match-ups feature the Hartford Wolf Pack, primary affiliate of the New York Rangers.

“With the arrival of the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate set for next season, we thought it was imperative that we further expose the AHL product to the Toronto market,” said Shannon.

Leafs TV, which will already air over 30 St. John’s Maple Leafs games this season, will broadcast its first live AHL game Wednesday, November 10, when the league’s oldest franchise, the Hershey Bears travel to Hartford to face the Wolf Pack.

“We are pleased that Leafs TV will provide more live American Hockey League action to what is likely the world’s top market for hockey,” said AHL President and CEO David Andrews. “We look forward to working with Leafs TV in the years to come.”

The five games announced are also scheduled to be shown on the MSG Network or Fox Sports Net New York:

DateMatch-upTime (ET)
November 10 Hershey at Hartford 7 pm
November 20 Hartford at Springfield 7 pm
November 26 Hartford at Bridgeport 7:30 pm
December 11 Manchester at Hartford 7 pm
December 18 Providence at Hartford 7 pm

Leafs TV launched in September, 2001, and is available through most television service providers in the Maple Leafs broadcast region.