Ron MacLean Returns to Host Hockey Night in Canada, Alongside David Amber

– Panelists Friedman, Hrudey, and Kypreos back in-studio Saturday nights –
– Millard continues hosting Wednesday Night Hockey with panelists Friedman and Doug MacLean –
– MacLean and Slone visit 24 communities for Year 3 of Rogers Hometown Hockey, Sunday nights –

TORONTO (June 27, 2016) For more than 30 years, Ron MacLean has been a cornerstone of Hockey Night in Canada, and today Sportsnet announced he is returning to host hockey’s biggest night alongside David Amber.  MacLean will host Game 1 on Saturday nights with Amber hosting Game 2, and together they will guide Canadians through all of Hockey Night in Canada’s memorable moments and greatest stories.

MacLean will continue to host Coach’s Corner with Don Cherry in the first intermission of Game 1.  Following his hosting duties on Saturday nights, MacLean will head out to 24 communities across the country to host Rogers Hometown Hockey with Tara Slone on Sundays throughout the season.

“The impact Ron has had on the game and in communities across the country is immeasurable.  Hockey fans, young and old, have a deep connection with him,” said Scott Moore, President of Sportsnet & NHL Properties, Rogers.  “David is one of the top sports broadcasters in North America, with a long and impressive resume from both sides of the border.  He’s earned this coveted role.  With Ron and David at the helm, it’s the perfect mix for hockey’s biggest night.”

Amber has been a reporter with Hockey Night in Canada for the past five years.  He has nearly 20 years of sports broadcast experience in both Canada and the U.S., including eight years as anchor and reporter with ESPN, as well as covering four Olympic Games and a two-year stint hosting NHL On The Fly.

“Hockey Night in Canada is a tradition unlike anything else in this country.  It’s part of our national DNA, and so is Ron.  It’s a balance of giving our fans what they want and evolving the broadcasts to keep them fresh,” said Moore.

After hosting Hockey Night in Canada for the past two seasons, George Stroumboulopoulos will depart the company to explore new creative opportunities.

“George is an extremely versatile and creative broadcaster and we value the contributions he made to Hockey Night in Canada.  We look forward to seeing what his next great project will be,” said Moore.  “We are continually evaluating and evolving our broadcasts to deliver the best experience for fans.”

Panelists Elliotte Friedman, Kelly Hrudey, and Nick Kypreos join MacLean and Amber in-studio Saturday nights.  Daren Millard continues to host Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, alongside panelists Friedman and Doug MacLean.

“As part of our evolution, we will deliver more consistency each night of the week for our national NHL broadcasts. When fans tune in, they will know who they are going to see,” said Moore.

More details regarding Sportsnet’s 2016-17 NHL coverage will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bios

For Ron MacLean bio, click here

For David Amber bio, click here

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Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Delivering storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level, the multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet magazine, Sportsnet Mobile and Sportsnet NOW. Sportsnet consists of four regional channels (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific), and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet World, and Sportsnet 360. Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national broadcast rights holder, and is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder for the Calgary Flames (including radio rights on Sportsnet 960 The FAN), Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs (including radio rights on Sportsnet 590 The FAN), Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens. In addition, Sportsnet is also the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights holder of the CHL, including the Memorial Cup. Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in MLB television broadcasts and is home to all 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, Toronto Raptors, NBA, CIS Vanier Cup, Grand Slam of Curling, IndyCar, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, and extensive soccer programming including Barclays Premier League, Bundesliga, CONCACAF and Canadian national team matches for men and women. Sportsnet Central is the network’s news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day’s events in the world of sports.