The Western Hockey League (WHL) and FSN Northwest announced Dec. 23 a new multi-year broadcast agreement that will see FSN Northwest serve as the league’s exclusive Pacific Northwest cable broadcast home starting with the current 2009-2010 season through 2011-2012.
FSN Northwest will broadcast a minimum of 10 WHL regular season games each year.
The broadcast schedule will feature all five U.S.-based WHL clubs: Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans.
The first televised game features the Seattle Thunderbirds against the rival Everett Silvertips Jan. 8 at the ShoWare Center in Kent. The game will be broadcast at 9:30 p.m. on a tape-delay basis.
The WHL on FSN Northwest broadcasts will bring hockey action into 3.4 million homes across the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
“Our new multi-year agreement with FSN Northwest is another indication of the tremendous growth the WHL is experiencing in the Pacific Northwest market,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We look forward to showcasing our five U.S.-based clubs and the world’s finest junior hockey talent to FSN audiences through the Western United States.”
FSN officials said ratings last season for hockey were solid.
“We are proud to be able to bring the excitement of the WHL to all of our viewers across FSN Northwest’s five-state region,” said Mark Jorgensen, vice president/station manager of FSN Northwest. “The feedback we received from fans last season was tremendous, and we look forward to our enhanced partnership with the WHL for years to come.”
WHL on FSN Northwest Schedule
Game 1 – Friday, Jan. 8 – Everett at SEATTLE, 9:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Wednesday, Jan. 13 – Portland at Kamloops, 7 p.m.
Game 3 – Friday, Jan. 15 – Everett at Chilliwack, 7 p.m.
Game 4 – Friday, Jan. 22 – Everett at Portland, 7:30 p.m.
Game 5 – Friday, Jan. 29 – SEATTLE at Spokane, 7 p.m.
Game 6 – Friday, Feb. 5 – SEATTLE at Portland, 7:30 p.m.
Game 7 – Friday, Feb. 12 – Spokane at Everett, 7:30 p.m.
Game 8 – Friday, Feb. 19 – Everett at Tri-City, 7 p.m.
Game 9 – Friday, March 5 – SEATTLE at Kelowna, 7 p.m.
Game 10 – Friday, March 12 – Tri-City at Spokane, 11 p.m.
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