The Hockey East men’s semifinal and final games will be streamed on ESPN’s online streaming service ESPN3, the league announced on Monday. This coverage on ESPN3 is in addition to the live broadcast of the games on New England-based cable sports network NESN.
ICYMI - #HEAchamps games to air on @NESN and @ESPN3. Tickets https://t.co/dp98Zy1P24 https://t.co/jCGuZrNUQ4
— Hockey East (@hockey_east) March 13, 2017
In a vacuum, the news is welcome, given the league’s championship games historically only being shown in the New England area. Given circulating reports about the demise of current Hockey East broadcasting partner, the America Sports Network, the news takes on a different air altogether.
While these reports have been called into question, the ASN deal with the league expires at the end of the season anyway, allowing the league to negotiate a new broadcasting contract.
Hockey East declined to comment on potential contract negotiations for new broadcast partners, citing the confidentiality of negotiations, but noted that it is happy to “provide fans with our championship experience through ESPN3.”
ASN has broadcasted 17 men’s games this year, according to Hockey East’s schedule. ASN also broadcasted the Hockey East women’s championship.