NHL Launches New Weekly Animated Recap Show NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week' New 30-minute recap show follows NHLs live animated broadcasts with ESPN, TNT, and NBC Sports Chicago over the past year By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S.
Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 9:32 am
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The NHL is launching a new weekly 30-minute animated program that will recap an NHL regular-season matchup from the prior week in a fun, youth centric program, according to the league. Dubbed NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week, the first-of-its-kind program will be carried on Sportsnet in Canada, NHL Network in the U.S., and globally on the NHL YouTube channel. Debuting Feb. 1, the broadcast will bring viewers into an animated world where NHL Player avatars, powered by NHL EDGE Positional Data, will create a realistic and dynamic visualization of the on-ice action leveraging Sony's Beyond Sports technology.
The first episode of NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week, which will be produced by NHL Productions in collaboration with Sony's Beyond Sports, will feature a recap of the Vancouver Canucks-Washington Capitals matchup from Jan. 25 (a 2-1 Canucks win featuring two goals by Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes), and be broadcast on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. ET on NHL Network (re-airing at 12 p.m. ET) and on Sportsnet at 12 p.m. ET.
The league is targeting young fans and families with NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week, looking to take viewers out of traditional NHL arenas and immerse them in a dynamic, animated outdoor environment, inspired by the essence and character of Canadian cities. Each program will feature fast-paced, animated action, showcasing unique camera angles that bring viewers closer to the action than ever before. Quick, engaging camera movements and exciting visual effects will enhance the program, combining the best of gaming visuals and outdoor adventure.
NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week will feature teenaged commentators appearing as animated avatars, calling the action in a fun, entertaining and casual tone. They'll share insights, fun facts, and stories to take viewers deeper inside the NHL, making each episode a must-watch for fans of all ages.
By using avatars, vibrant animations and youthful commentary, NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week will further connect young fans and families to the NHL and build upon the League's recent national and local animated telecast successes, said David Lehanski, NHL Executive Vice President, Business Development & Innovation. We're delighted to air NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week on Sportsnet and NHL Network, to continue expanding the use of NHL EDGE Positional Data, excite new and existing young fans in Canada and the United States, and deliver even more innovative and unique ways to experience our great game.
NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week marks the league's latest animated-broadcast endeavor of the past year, following the second of two NHL Big City Greens Classic productions with ESPN, the MultiVersus NHL Face-Off with TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Games, and a regional broadcast with NBC Sports Chicago in 2024.
The broadcasts are created using the NHL EDGE puck and player tracking (positional data provided by SMT) and Hawk-Eye Innovations (a Sony company) optical tracking. Beyond Sports handles the automated tracking and rendering for the virtual playing field and animated players, combining single-point tracking via the NHL EDGE system with the 28-point optical tracking provided by Hawk-Eye Innovations.
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NHL Launches New Weekly Animated Recap Show NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week' New 30-minute recap show follows NHLs live animated broadcasts with ESPN, TNT, and NBC Sports Chicago over the past year By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. 
