NHL on Hughes explained

Alt Name:NHL '80
Genre:NHL hockey telecasts
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Location:Various NHL venues
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:180 minutes or until the game ends
Network:Hughes Television Network

NHL on Hughes is the de facto name of a TV program that broadcast National Hockey League games on the defunct independent Hughes Television Network during the 1979–80 season.[1] The program aired under the title The NHL '80.[2]

Hughes broadcast[3] eight Friday night games,[4] two Thursday night games[5] (on March 20 and April 3, 1980),[6] the All-Star Game,[7] some playoff games, and the first five games[8] of the Stanley Cup Finals[9] (the final game, Game 6, was broadcast by CBS). Hughes' broadcasts were distributed to about 55% of the United States[10] with a notable exception being the Florida Suncoast.

Hughes and the USA cable network technically, used CBC's Hockey Night in Canada feeds for the American coverage of the first five games of the Stanley Cup Finals. The first broadcast involved the Atlanta Flames against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 25.[11]

Playoff coverage

RoundTeamsGamesPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)
First roundPittsburgh-BostonGame 2
New York Rangers-AtlantaGame 4Jiggs McDonald
QuarterfinalsBuffalo-ChicagoGame 3Dan KellyJim Craig[12]
Montreal-MinnesotaGames 6–7Dan KellyMickey Redmond
SemifinalsPhiladelphia-MinnesotaGames 1, 3–4
Game 4 used (CBC's feed)
Dan Kelly (Games 1, 3, and first half of Game 4)
Jim Robson (second half of Game 4)
Bill Clement (Game 1)
Pete Stemkowski (Game 3)
Gerry Pinder and Howie Meeker (Game 4)
Buffalo-New York IslandersGames 3, 6 (CBC's feed)Dan Kelly (second half of both games)
Jim Robson (first half of Game 3)
Bob Cole (first half of Game 6)
Gerry Pinder and Howie Meeker (Game 3)
Gary Dornhoefer (Game 6)

Stanley Cup Finals

See main article: 1980 Stanley Cup Finals.

Videos:

Notes and References

  1. News: Sports BRIEFING. October 10, 1979. Chicago Tribune.
  2. News: Tait is named to VPI post. Gadsden Times. January 14, 2024.
  3. News: October 11, 1979. NHL Games Telecast On Hughes Network. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 14, 2024.
  4. News: October 10, 1979. NHL hits jackpot with Friday games. The Calgary Herald. January 15, 2024.
  5. News: October 10, 1979. Newspaper says Unger to suit up with Flames. The Phoenix. January 15, 2024.
  6. News: 1979-10-11 . Hughes Network to Show Number of Hockey Games . en-US . New York Times. 2023-03-24 . 0362-4331.
  7. News: NHL, Hughes Network Agree on Prime-Time TV Coverage. October 10, 1979. Los Angeles Times. F6.
  8. News: Rothenberg. Fred. May 25, 1980. NHL may be robbed of TV showcase. The Daily Sentinel. January 14, 2024.
  9. Web site: The Canadian Press. Games Will be Televised. May 13, 1980. 2023-09-04 . Reading Eagle. en.
  10. News: Ledman. Gary . March 8, 1980. Despite Gold, TV Brass Has Hockey On Hold. The Evening Independent. January 14, 2024.
  11. News: October 10, 1979. Hughes network NHL finalize deal. The Montreal Gazette. January 15, 2024.
  12. News: April 19, 1980. CRAIG ON TV. The Bryan Times. January 15, 2024.