August
20,
2007
Atlantic Hockey games to air online
By Ken McMillan
Atlantic
Hockey has taken a bold step to raise the visibility of the
league and its members by signing a league-wide deal with
the B2 Networks. Every league contest in the 2007-08 season
will be available on broadband via subscription, starting
with a pair of exhibitions Oct. 8 and culminating with the
Atlantic Hockey tournament in Rochester, N.Y., in March.
The B2 Networks televised the semifinals and
finals of the 2007 Atlantic Hockey tournament from Rochester.
Atlantic Hockey is the first NCAA conference to sign a league-wide
deal with B2 Networks.
"This is a great opportunity for Atlantic
Hockey and its members," said Bob DeGregorio, the Atlantic
Hockey commissioner. "Even though we would like friends,
fans, families and alumni to watch their favorite teams in
person, this gives those people who are unable to attend another
avenue to see their teams play."
Even though Atlantic Hockey members span a swath
of the nation’s top media markets, most college hockey
telecasts on national and regional television feature schools
from Hockey East, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association,
the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and ECAC Hockey.
Taking the Atlantic Hockey games to the Internet
will raise awareness of the league and could certainly help
recruiting efforts.
"As true hockey fans know, Atlantic Hockey
teams can play with any NCAA team in the country, and our
broadcasts will showcase to the world the great talent playing
in the conference," said Richard Brosal, a B2 Networks
executive president.
Fans will need a high-speed Internet connection
and current version of Windows Media Player to watch the games
online. Games will be available on a single-game basis for
$6 or a full-season subscription of $79.95. The games will
be available through AtlanticHockeyOnline.com and through
member institution athletic websites.
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