Hockey East and NESN have extended their television rights agreement, beginning with the upcoming 2006-07 season and running through 2008-09.
“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with NESN,” said Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna. “NESN has proven to be a valued partner of Hockey East, and we look forward to Boston Universityilding a stronger, mutually beneficial relationship with the network in the future.”
“NESN’s affiliation with Hockey East dates back to the network’s beginnings in 1984 and the conference has always provided the best hockey action that the college game has to offer,” said Joel Feld, NESN’s vice president of programming and executive producer. “With all 10 teams located here in New England, this package is a perfect fit that allows us to serve all of the regions hockey fans.”
The three-year agreement boasts a live, prime-time lineup of nine regular season games, four tournament games including both semifinal matches and the championship tilt at the TD Banknorth Garden, and the Women’s Hockey East championship game at the University of New Hampshire. New this season, NESN will produce a live 30-minute pre-game show at 7 p.m. before every game broadcast and deliver intermission reports live from the NESN HD Television Center.
“We asked NESN to work with the league to develop an even more attractive package for our fans, and they have responded,” said Bertagna. “This new agreement will provide our league with unrivaled television coverage in one of the country’s premier media markets, and the season-long package will showcase each of our 10 teams.”
2006/2007 Hockey East on NESN schedule
Friday, Jan. 5: New Hampshire at Vermont
Friday, Jan. 12: Boston University at Maine
Saturday, Jan. 13: Providence at Mass. Lowell
Friday, Jan. 19: Massachusetts at New Hampshire
Friday, Jan. 26: Boston College at Boston University
Friday, Feb. 2: Merrimack at Northeastern
Friday, Feb. 9: Vermont at Maine
Friday, Feb. 16: Boston University at New Hampshire
Friday, March 2: Boston College at New Hampshire
Sunday, March 4: Women’s Hockey East Championship
March 9 or 10: Hockey East Quarterfinal (teams TBA)
Friday, March 16: Hockey East Semifinals (both games)
Saturday, March 17: Hockey East Championship
All nine regular season games start at 7:30 p.m.
