TORONTO and WINNIPEG – Rogers Sports and Media’s Sportsnet and APTN announced today Cree-language NHL broadcasts are returning with the debut of Hockey Night in Canada in Cree in January.
“Building on the historic debut of Rogers Hometown Hockey in Cree in 2019 and the ensuing landmark three-year deal to produce and air NHL on Sportsnet games in Plains Cree, Sportsnet and APTN are set to return to Canadian screens with Cree-language NHL coverage – now on Saturday night,” a press release says.
Hockey Night in Canada in Cree will broadcast nationally on APTN and feature six games starting Jan. 15. This includes:
- Saturday, Jan. 15 – Ottawa at Winnipeg, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Saturday, Jan. 29 – Hockey Day in Canada: Edmonton at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Saturday, March 5 – Vancouver at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Saturday, March 26 – Edmonton at Calgary, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
- Saturday, April 9 – Montreal at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Saturday, April 23 – Toronto at Florida, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
The 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,” the press release says.
Clarence Iron will provide play-by-play for the broadcasts and Earl Wood will host. Hockey Night in Canada in Cree will also feature analysts John Chabot and Jason Chamakese.
“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 of Sportsnet & NHL productions, in the press release.
“At Sportsnet, we have the responsibility to tell these national stories and explore the intersections between sport and culture. We look forward to reuniting with APTN to shine the national spotlight on these stories and celebrate Canada’s Indigenous communities through the power of sport.”
“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 at 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.”
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