Sportsnet and APTN on Thursday announced the return of Cree-language NHL broadcasts with the debut of Hockey Night in Canada in Cree, starting Jan. 15.
Featuring all seven Canadian NHL teams in action from Jan. 15 to April 23, the six-game national broadcast series will see APTN leverage Sportsnet’s NHL production to deliver exclusive Cree-language commentary and analysis to hockey fans and communities across the country.
Returning are play-by-play broadcaster Clarence Iron, host Earl Wood, and analysts John Chabot and Jason Chamakese.
Rogers Hometown Hockey in Cree debuted in 2019, spurring a three-year deal to produce and air NHL on Sportsnet games in Plains Cree. This latest iteration will see the games moves to Saturday nights.
“In Canada, our shared passion for sport creates a strong and resilient bond that unites diverse communities coast-to-coast-to-coast,” said Rob Corte, vice president, Sportsnet & NHL Productions. “At Sportsnet, we have the responsibility to tell these national stories and explore the intersections between sport and culture.”
“Language is one of the strongest threads that connects people to their culture, and we are proud and thrilled to once again offer NHL games in Plains Cree to Canadians across the country,” said Mike Omelus, executive director of content and strategy, APTN. “The path of reconciliation extends beyond the horizon, but it’s initiatives like this, and partners like Sportsnet, that ensure it’s a path never walked alone.”
The 2022 Hockey Night in Canada: Cree Edition broadcast schedule on APTN is as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 15 – Ottawa @ Winnipeg, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Saturday, Jan. 29 – Hockey Day in Canada: Edmonton @ Montreal, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Saturday, March 5 – Vancouver @ Toronto, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Saturday, March 26 – Edmonton @ Calgary, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Saturday, April 9 – Montreal @ Toronto, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Saturday, April 23 – Toronto @ Florida, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
*Schedule subject to change
Sportsnet also contributes to the national production of Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition on OMNI Television.
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