Originally reported over the summer by College Hockey News, NBC Sports Group has decided to begin televising college hockey games from four leagues: Hockey East, ECAC, CCHA, and WCHA. Northeastern is not involved in any of the games (in fact, only Boston University, Boston College, and Vermont are involved in NBC Sports Net games). However, the package does include a major plus for Hockey East fans – the Hockey East tournament (one quarterfinal game, the semifinals, and championship game) will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network. [Schenectady Gazette]

ECAC insider (and all-around great college hockey journalist) Ken Schott has the details:

The NBC Sports Group announced a 16-game college hockey broadcast schedule, with the games being featured on Versus/NBC Sports Network. Eleven of the games will be part of a Friday-night package.

Speculation about college hockey games being carried by Versus/NBC Sports Network began shortly after the announcement of the National College Hockey Conference that will begin play in 2013-14.

From a Hockey East release:

“The landscape in college hockey is about to go through a significant change. Television will become even more important to all programs with national aspirations and national television will become a key to future success,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. “This agreement will play a major role in our ability to stay in a leadership position in our sport.”

The only downside? After the Hockey East tournament is nationally televised on NBC Sports Network, college hockey runs into a buzzkill with the NCAA tournament on syndicated local TV or ESPNU. Womp womp.

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