Several new faces — some of them very familar to Philadelphia Flyers fans — will join NHL Network as the operation is taken over by MLB Advanced Media this coming season.
John Tortorella is probably the most exciting new addition to the network, bringing some passion and fire to the analyst’s chair. He’ll join as an analyst, along with two former Philadelphia Flyers goaltenders: Brian Boucher and Martin Biron. Here’s a full list of analysts, both new and returning, who will be featured on NHL Network programming in 2015-16:
- E.J. Hradek
- Kevin Weekes
- Scott Stevens
- Dave Reid
- Mike Rupp
- John Tortorella
- Martin Biron
- Brian Boucher
- Mike Johnson/
Joining the network as hosts will be Steve Mears, who will continue to co-host NHL Live with Hradek, as well as former NESN anchor Jamison Coyle and former CBS Sports Radio host Tony Luftman. The latter duo will host NHL Tonight, the network’s nightly recap show. Live programming will debut on NHL Network for the 2015-16 season on October 5.
NHL Network says it will “revamp” the night’s “On The Fly” program, which is usually on-air during live games each night. That program will be hosted by former Fox Sports North reporter Jamie Hersch.
More improvements are expected to come with NHL Network into the new year as the network moves more under the control of MLB Advanced Media, which took control of the channel and the NHL’s digital operation this offseason. It’s expected that the network will move from its longtime home in Toronto to MLB Network studios in Secaucus, N.J in time for the new season.
Long-time NHL Network main anchor Kathryn Tappen will return to the network in the 2016 calendar year. She has mostly been occupied with duties at NBC Sports in Connecticut since 2014, appearing only on NHL Network for major events like outdoor games.
