TVA Sports Signs Broadcast Deal with AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs

October 5, 2012

The Hamilton Bulldogs, the top development team for the Montreal Canadiens, come to TVA Sports starting in October as the result of a new broadcast agreement between the channel and the American Hockey League (AHL).

The first TVA Sports broadcast will be on October 20th at 7 p.m. as the Bulldogs face off against the Toronto Marlies, the top affiliate of the Maple Leafs, in Toronto.

Future broadcasts will be announced at a later date.

Play-by-play for Bulldogs’ games will be handled by the well-known, experienced team of commentator Michel Langevin and analyst Yvon Pedneault. Joining them will be Enrico Ciccone, reporting on each team’s performance from ice level, at the heart of the action.

“With this new agreement, TVA Sports is proud to provide fans with high-level professional hockey starting in October,” declares Pierre Dion, President and CEO of the TVA Group. “Up-and-coming Canadiens talent will be showcased early on in the Bulldogs’ season, and this agreement allows fans to follow the progress of future NHL stars such as Louis Leblanc, Brendan Gallagher, Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi.”

“The American Hockey League has long had a terrific fan base in Quebec and among all of French-speaking Canada,” said David Andrews, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am certain that TVA Sports’ viewers will enjoy seeing the Canadiens of the future in action today.”

The Hamilton Bulldogs have served as the top development affiliate of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens since 2002, winning four division championships and the 2007 Calder Cup in that time. Current Canadiens players who have come through Hamilton include Carey Price, Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban.