SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League and Sportsnet, entering the third year of a five-year relationship, announced today that Sportsnet will deliver a 10-game package of regular-season AHL broadcasts during the 2013-14 season.
Sportsnet 360 will broadcast 10 AHL games in Canada on consecutive Sundays beginning Feb. 9. The games will also be seen on NHL Network in the United States.
The AHL on Sportsnet 360
Sun., Feb. 9 – Hamilton Bulldogs at Toronto Marlies, 3 ET
Sun., Feb. 16 – Utica Comets at Toronto Marlies, 3 ET
Sun., Feb. 23 – Oklahoma City Barons at Toronto Marlies, 4 ET
Sun., Mar. 2 – Lake Erie Monsters at Toronto Marlies, 3 ET
Sun., Mar. 9 – Lake Erie Monsters at Hamilton Bulldogs, 3 ET
Sun., Mar. 16 – Hamilton Bulldogs at Toronto Marlies, 3 ET
Sun., Mar. 23 – Abbotsford Heat at Toronto Marlies, 3 ET
Sun., Mar. 30 – Abbotsford Heat at Toronto Marlies, 4 ET
Sun., Apr. 6 – Utica Comets at Toronto Marlies, 3 ET
Sun., Apr. 13 – Oklahoma City Barons at Abbotsford Heat, 4 ET
The schedule features appearances by top affiliates of five Canadian NHL teams: the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs), Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens), Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks), Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers) and Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames). The Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche) also appear on the Sportsnet schedule.
In addition to the 10-game regular-season package, Sportsnet will broadcast two-day coverage of the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic as a team of American Hockey League All-Stars takes on the Swedish Hockey League’s Färjestad BK in a Skills Competition and All-Star Game in St. John’s, N.L., Feb. 11-12, both on Sportsnet ONE.
“There is definitely an appetite among hockey fans to follow the development of American Hockey League players as they prepare to take that final step to the NHL,” said AHL President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews. “We are delighted to be partnering with Sportsnet again this season to bring American Hockey League action into homes across North America.”
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the AHL with weekly Sunday afternoon games starting in February,” said Navaid Mansuri, Vice President, Broadcast Operations & Sportsnet Programming, Rogers Media. “Sportsnet is Canada’s prime destination for hockey, and this furthers our commitment to serving Canadian sports fans by providing world class hockey content showcasing some of the NHL’s future stars.”
The American Hockey League, which is now in its 78th season of play, 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 87 percent of NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 12th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2012-13. 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.
