Monday, December 17, 2012

NHL Network to Carry WJC Games

Current college players leading U.S. in pursuit of gold.

NHL Network to Carry WJC Games
Head coach Phil Housley leads the U.S. team in the first day of training camp Monday (via @usahockey).

The NHL Network-U.S. will broadcast live all U.S. contests at the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, with all preliminary-round games being re-aired in primetime. The NHL Network-U.S. will also air Team USA’s two pre-tournament games live from Finland.

USAHockey.com Coverage | United States of Hockey Blog

An additional 12 games from the IIHF World Junior Championship, set for Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Ufa, Russia, will also be aired live on the NHL Network-U.S. and then be re-aired later that same day, including six preliminary-round games and the entire medal round. For the complete schedule, click here.

In addition, NHL.com will provide a live stream of all Team USA tournament games (available only in the U.S.).

Fifteen current college players are contending for a spot on Team USA in the team’s training camp, which began today in Tarrytown, N.Y.

On the mic

Steve Mears, who handles play-by-play for Pittsburgh Penguins HD Radio and covered the NHL Playoffs and Final last year for the NHL Network, will call all U.S. games in the tournament, with the NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek serving as the analyst and Rob Simpson the rink-side reporter. Mears is the former radio voice at Bowling Green, his alma mater.

The IIHF World Junior Championship features the top men’s hockey players in the world under the age of 20 and is one of the top events on the world hockey calendar each year. Participating nations include Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The United States has earned a medal in two of the last three IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold in 2010 and bronze in 2011.