TORONTO – Former Hockey Night in Canada and Leafs TV executive John Shannon has been named as executive in charge of programming and production for the NHL Network.
Shannon will continue to serve in his current role as executive vice-president of programming and production for the National Hockey League.
His additional responsibilities include overseeing programming and production for the NHL Network in both Canada and the United States.
Shannon will work closely with Joe Gabor, director of the NHL Network in Canada. The NHL Network’s programming and production operations will continue to be based in Canada. The programming feed in the United States will also be supplied by the NHL Network in Canada.
“John Shannon is a venerable institution when it comes to hockey broadcasts,” said Rick Brace, president of Revenue, Business Planning and Sports at CTV Inc., part owner in the channel. “We are thrilled that he will lead the programming and production arm for NHL Network as the channel gains popularity in both Canada and the United States.”
NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins added, “No one has more experience producing hockey in North America than John Shannon, and he is uniquely suited to lead the content for NHL Network and establish it as the authentic home of hockey.”
Shannon has been involved in the production of regional and national NHL hockey games for more than 30 years, including the production of 23 Stanley Cup finals.
Previously, he served as the vice-president of programming and executive producer of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, overseeing the launch, implementation and operation of Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV. He also spent six years as the executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada on CBC.
Shannon has also been involved in the production of five Olympics, receiving an Emmy for his work on NBC’s coverage of hockey at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
