List of NHL on ESPN personalities explained

The following is the list of broadcast teams that ESPN/ABC used throughout their tenure of broadcasting NHL games.

Broadcast teams

ESPN/ABC did not have fixed broadcast teams during the 1985–86 season. Sam Rosen, Ken Wilson, Jim Hughson, Dan Kelly, Mike Lange, Jiggs McDonald, Jim Kelly, Mike Emrick, and Mike Patrick handled the play-by-play, and Mickey Redmond, Bill Clement, John Davidson, Gary Dornhoefer, Phil Esposito, and Brad Park provided color commentary.^{[1] [2]}

The NHL and ESPN/ABC announced a new 7-year deal beginning in the 2021–22 season.^{[3] [4]}

Season	Broadcasters
1986–87	Ken Wilson (regular season)/Mike Emrick (playoffs)-Bill Clement^[5] ^[6] ^[7] Sam Rosen, Rick Peckham, or Tom Mees-John Davidson^[8] ^[9] Ken Wilson-Mike Liut
1987–88	Mike Emrick-Bill Clement Sam Rosen-Phil Esposito^[10] ^[11]
1992–93	Gary Thorne-Jim Schoenfeld (regular season)/Bill Clement (playoffs) Tom Mees-John Davidson, Brian Engblom, or Darren Pang
1993–94	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Tom Mees-John Davidson, Brian Engblom, or Darren Pang Sean McDonough-Brian Engblom Steve Levy-Joe Micheletti
1994–95	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Tom Mees-Darren Pang Mike Goldberg-Brian Engblom Steve Levy or Sean McDonough-Mike Milbury or Bobby Taylor
1995–96	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Tom Mees-Darren Pang Mike Goldberg-Brian Engblom Steve Levy-Barry Melrose or Daryl Reaugh
1996–97	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Dave Strader-Darren Pang Dave Ryan or Steve Levy-Brian Engblom or Barry Melrose Dave Ryan-Bobby Taylor
1997–98	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Dave Strader, Dave Ryan, or Steve Levy-Brian Engblom or Darren Pang Dave Ryan, Steve Levy, or Dave Strader-Brian Engblom or Darren Pang Dave Ryan-Brian Hayward (playoffs)
1998–99	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Steve Levy-Darren Pang Dave Strader or Dave Ryan-Brian Engblom Dave Ryan-Eddie Olczyk Joe Beninati-Rick Bowness
1999–2000	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Steve Levy-Darren Pang Dave Strader or Sean McDonough-Brian Engblom Jack Edwards-Brian Engblom, Craig Simpson, or Jim Schoenfeld Dave Ryan-Eddie Olczyk, Brian Engblom or Joe Micheletti Joe Beninati-Neil Smith or Tony Twist
2000–01	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Steve Levy-Darren Pang Dave Strader or Sean McDonough-Brian Engblom Jack Edwards-Jim Schoenfeld Dave Ryan-Joe Micheletti Joe Beninati-Neil Smith or Tony Twist
2001–02	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement Steve Levy-Darren Pang Dave Strader-Brian Engblom Jack Edwards-Jim Schoenfeld Dave Ryan-Joe Micheletti Joe Beninati or Sean McDonough-Neil Smith or Tony Twist
2002–03	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement and John Davidson Steve Levy-Barry Melrose and Darren Pang Dave Strader-Brian Engblom Joe Beninati-Neil Smith Sean McDonough-Brian Engblom, Ray Ferraro, or Eddie Olczyk
2003–04	Gary Thorne-Bill Clement and John Davidson Steve Levy-Barry Melrose and Darren Pang Dave Strader-Brian Engblom Joe Beninati-Neil Smith Sean McDonough-Brian Engblom, Ray Ferraro, or Eddie Olczyk
2021–22	Opening Night Sean McDonough-Ray Ferraro John Buccigross-Brian Boucher and A. J. Mleczko Rest of Season Sean McDonough-Ray Ferraro, Brian Boucher, A. J. Mleczko, Dominic Moore, and/or Cassie Campbell-Pascall Bob Wischusen-Brian Boucher, Ray Ferraro, A. J. Mleczko, Dominic Moore, Kevin Weekes, and/or Cassie Campbell-Pascall John Buccigross or Steve Levy-Barry Melrose, Ray Ferraro, Brian Boucher, Kevin Weekes, A. J. Mleczko, Ryan Callahan, Dominic Moore, aCassie Campbell-Pascall and/or Hilary Knight Leah Hextall-Dominic Moore, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Kevin Weekes, Ray Ferraro, Brian Boucher, Ryan Callahan, and/or A. J. Mleczko Steve Levy-Mark Messier, Chris Chelios, Ray Ferraro, A. J. Mleczko, Barry Melrose, and/or Hilary Knight Mike Monaco-Brian Boucher, Dominic Moore, or Ryan Callahan Roxy Bernstein-Dominic Moore or Kevin Weekes Gord Miller-Cassie Campbell-Pascall or Dominic Moore (Playoffs only)
2022–23	Opening Night Sean McDonough-Ray Ferraro Bob Wischusen-Brian Boucher Rest of Season Sean McDonough-Ray Ferraro Bob Wischusen-Brian Boucher, Ray Ferraro, A. J. Mleczko, Dominic Moore, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Mark Messier, and/or Chris Chelios Steve Levy or John Buccigross-Barry Melrose, Mark Messier, Chris Chelios, Ray Ferraro, Brian Boucher, A. J. Mleczko, Ryan Callahan, Kevin Weekes, and/or Dominic Moore Mike Monaco-A. J. Mleczko, Dominic Moore, Brian Boucher, Kevin Weekes, Hilary Knight, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, and/or Ryan Callahan Leah Hextall-Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Dominic Moore, Ray Ferraro, and/or Ryan Callahan Roxy Bernstein-Ryan Callahan or Kevin Weekes Drew Carter-Kevin Weekes (NHL Big City Greens Classic only) Kevin Weekes-P. K. Subban and Ryan Callahan
2023–24	Opening Night Sean McDonough-Ray Ferraro Bob Wischusen-A. J. Mleczko John Buccigross-Kevin Weekes and Ryan Callahan Rest of Season Sean McDonough-Ray Ferraro Bob Wischusen-Ryan Callahan, A. J. Mleczko, Ray Ferraro, or Kevin Weekes Mike Monaco-A. J. Mleczko, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Ray Ferraro, Kevin Weekes, or Ryan Callahan Steve Levy or John Buccigross-Mark Messier, P. K. Subban, Kevin Weekes, Ray Ferraro, A. J. Mleczko, Kevin Weekes Ryan Callahan, and/or Cassie Campbell-Pascall Drew Carter-Kevin Weekes (NHL Big City Greens Classic only) Roxy Bernstein-Cassie Campbell-Pascall or Kevin Weekes

Year	Round	Teams	Games	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)	Ice level reporter(s)
1986	Divisional semifinals		Games 4–5	Ken Wilson (Game 4) Mike Lange (Game 5)	Mickey Redmond
		Washington-New York Islanders	Game 1	Mike Lange	Bill Clement
		Montreal-Boston	Game 3	Mike Lange	Bill Clement
		Minnesota-St. Louis	Game 2	Ken Wilson	Mickey Redmond
	Divisional finals	Washington-New York Rangers	Games 1–2, 4–6	Ken Wilson (Games 1, 6) Mike Lange (Games 2, 4) Jiggs McDonald (Game 5)	Mickey Redmond (Game 1) Bill Clement (Game 2, 4–6)
		Montreal-Hartford	Games 3, 7	Jiggs McDonald (Game 3) Ken Wilson (Game 7)	Bill Clement
		Edmonton-Calgary	Games 2, 4–7	Mike Lange (Games 2, 7) Jim Hughson^[12] (Games 4–6)	Mickey Redmond	Jim Kelly^[13]
	Conference finals	Montreal-New York Rangers	Games 1–5	Ken Wilson (Games 1, 3) Jiggs McDonald (Game 2) Mike Lange (Games 4–5)	Mickey Redmond
		Calgary-St. Louis	Games 1–2, 4–7	Jim Hughson (Games 1, 5) Mike Lange (Game 2) Ken Wilson (Games 4, 6) Sam Rosen (Game 7)	Bill Clement
1987	Divisional semifinals	Hartford-Quebec	Game 5	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Montreal-Boston	in Montreal	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Philadelphia-New York Rangers	in New York City	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Washington-New York Islanders	Game 7	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement	Tom Mees
	Divisional finals	Montreal-Quebec	Game 1	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
			Games 2, 4–7	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Detroit-Toronto	Games 5–7	Sam Rosen (Game 5) Tom Mees (Games 6–7)	John Davidson (Games 5–6) Bill Clement (Game 7)
		Edmonton-Winnipeg	Games 2–4	Rick Peckham (Game 2) Sam Rosen (in Winnipeg)	John Davidson
	Conference finals	Philadelphia-Montreal	Games 1–6	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Edmonton-Detroit	Games 1–5	Ken Wilson (Games 1, 3–5) Tom Mees (Game 2)	Mike Liut (Games 1, 3–5) Bill Clement (Game 2)
	Divisional semifinals	New York Islanders-New Jersey	Games 1, 3–4, 6	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Washington-Philadelphia	Games 2, 5, 7	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
	Divisional finals	Montreal-Boston	Games 2, 4–5	Sam Rosen	Phil Esposito
		Washington-New Jersey	Games 1, 3, 6–7	Sam Rosen	Phil Esposito
		Detroit-St. Louis	Games 2, 5	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement
		Calgary-Edmonton	Games 1, 3–4	Bruce Buchanan (Game 1) Mike Emrick (in Edmonton)	Bill Clement
	Conference finals	Boston-New Jersey	Games 1–7	Sam Rosen	Phil Esposito	Matt Lauer
		Edmonton-Detroit	Games 1–5	Mike Emrick	Bill Clement

Studio personalities

Hosts

• Steve Levy: Studio host (1993–2004); lead studio host (2021–present)^{[14] [15] [16] [17]}
• John Buccigross

Studio host (1998–2004, 2021–present)^[18]

• Arda Ocal

Studio host (2021–present)

Analysts

• Mark Messier

Lead studio analyst/color commentator (2021–present)^{[19] [20] [21]}

• P. K. Subban

Lead studio analyst/color commentator (2022–present)

• Ryan Callahan

Color commentator/studio analyst (2021–present)

• Kevin Weekes

Color commentator/studio analyst (2021–present)

• A. J. Mleczko

Color commentator/studio analyst (2021–present)

• Ray Ferraro

Studio analyst (2002–2004, 2021–present); lead color commentator (2021–present)

Former personalities

• Chris Berman

Stanley Cup Finals host (2003–2004)

• Brian Boucher

#2 Color commentator/studio analyst (2021–2023)

• Scotty Bowman

Studio analyst if Detroit Red Wings missed or eliminated from Stanley Cup playoffs

• Chris Chelios

studio analyst/color commentator (2021–2023)^{[22] [23] [24]}

• Bill Clement

Studio analyst (1992–93 regular season)

• Rick DiPietro

Studio analyst (2021–2023)

• Brian Engblom

Studio analyst (1992–2004)

• Ray Ferraro

Lead studio analyst (2002–2004)

• E. J. Hradek

Insider (1992–2004)

• Jim Kelly

Game and studio host (1985–86)

• Hilary Knight

Studio analyst/ice-level analyst (2022–2023)

• Tom Mees

Lead studio host (1985–88, 1992–93)^[25]

• Barry Melrose

Lead studio analyst (1996–2004, 2021–2023)

• Mike Milbury

Lead studio analyst (1995)^{[26] [27]}

• Dominic Moore

studio analyst/color commentator (2021–2023)

• Al Morganti

Studio analyst (1992–2004)

• Eddie Olczyk

Studio analyst (2002–2004)

• Darren Pang

Studio analyst (1992–2004)

• Bill Patrick

Studio host

• Bill Pidto

Studio host (1995–1998)

• John Saunders

Alternate studio host (1987–88); lead studio host (1992–2004)

• Jim Schoenfeld

Studio analyst (1993–94)^{[28] [29] [30] [31] [32]}

• John Tortorella

Studio analyst (2021–2022)

Reporters

Current personalities

• Blake Bolden (2022–present)
• Leah Hextall (2021–present)
• Emily Kaplan (2021–present)
• Arda Ocal (2024–present)
• Greg Wyshynski (2021–present)

Former personalities

• Erin Andrews (2004)
• Brenda Brenon (1994)^[33]
• Linda Cohn (2021–2023)
• Brian Engblom (1992–2003)
• Jim Kelly (1985–86)
• Matt Lauer (1988)^[34]
• Steve Levy (1992–2004)
• Brian McFarlane (1985–86)
• Tom Mees (1986–87, 1992–93)
• Joe Micheletti (1999–2004)
• Al Morganti (1992–2002)
• Darren Pang (1995–2004)
• Sam Ryan (2003–2004)

Insiders

• Emily Kaplan

(2017–present)

• Kevin Weekes

(2021-present)

• Greg Wyshynski

(2017–present)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sarni. Jim. October 10, 1985. ESPN BREAKS THE ICE FOR SPORTS FANS WITH CAPS-RANGERS GAME THURSDAY. Sun-Sentinel. February 9, 2016.
2. Web site: Archives . L. A. Times . September 20, 1985 . Stockton, Walker Get a Break as Big Call Goes Their Way . 2023-10-10 . Los Angeles Times . 3 . en-US.
3. Web site: Coryell . Grace . 2021-03-10 . The Walt Disney Company, ESPN and National Hockey League Reach Groundbreaking Long-Term Agreement . 2024-01-18 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
4. News: March 10, 2021. NHL back on ESPN with 7-year multiplatform deal. ESPN. March 11, 2021.
5. Web site: September 13, 1986. BUT IT'S JUST RIGHT FOR MOUNTAIN TIME . . February 9, 2016.
6. Web site: April 25, 1987 . SORRY CHARLIE, BUT THIS HOCKEY GAME WAS WORTH THE WAIT . February 9, 2016 . Sun-Sentinel.
7. Web site: Stewart. Larry. April 24, 1987. Gary Player Gives His Views on Apartheid. Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2020.
8. News: Rachel. Shuster. CBS ready if NBA games get boring . USA Today. April 24, 1987.
9. News: Rachel. Shuster. ESPN RATINGS . USA Today. April 22, 1987.
10. News: Chad. Norman. April 22, 1988. ESPN, HOME TEAM SPORTS COOL ON ICE. Washington Post. April 17, 2020.
11. News: 1988-04-21 . SPORTS PEOPLE; Esposito's Blessings . en-US . B16 . . 2023-10-10 . 0362-4331.
12. Web site: Baskin . Jake . November 18, 2019 . Hockey Night in Canada's Jim Hughson will be given coveted Foster Hewitt Award today by Hall of Fame . April 24, 2021 . Sports Business Journal.
13. Web site: ESPN THE PERFECT MEDICINE FOR FANS WHO CRAVE THEIR HOCKEY. Sarni. Jim. Sun-Sentinel. May 10, 1986. February 9, 2016.
14. Web site: June 29, 2021. McDonough gets lead NHL gig on ESPN. August 11, 2021. Sports Media Watch.
15. Web site: Greenspan. Jared. June 29, 2021. ESPN tabs Sean McDonough as lead NHL play-by-play voice. August 11, 2021. New York Post.
16. Web site: McDonough, Levy to lead ESPN's team for NHL coverage. August 11, 2021. USA TODAY.
17. Web site: June 29, 2021. Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN's NHL Coverage to Fans. June 29, 2021. ESPN Press Room U.S..
18. Web site: 2021-06-29. Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN's NHL Coverage to Fans. 2021-06-29. ESPN Press Room U.S.. en-US.
19. Web site: Gardner. Steve. ESPN adds Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier as NHL analyst. 2021-06-24. USA TODAY. en-US.
20. Web site: 2021-06-24. NHL great Messier joins ESPN as studio analyst. 2021-06-24. ESPN.com. en.
21. Web site: Ciccotelli. Jenna. Mark Messier Joining ESPN as NHL Studio Analyst Starting with 2021-22 Season. 2021-06-24. Bleacher Report. en.
22. Web site: Marchand. Andrew. June 28, 2021. ESPN hiring Chris Chelios to join Mark Messier in NHL studio. June 28, 2021. New York Post.
23. Web site: Chelios, Knight among those added to ESPN as NHL analysts. 2021-09-18. NHL.com.
24. Web site: Brandon . Champion . 2021-06-29. Former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios joins ESPN as NHL analyst. 2021-11-07. mlive. en.
25. Web site: Jackman . Phil . 1993-04-16 . White Sox opener is job Gumbel backed into long ago . 2024-03-03 . Baltimore Sun . en-US.
26. News: Sandomir. Richard. 1995-01-20. TV SPORTS; The Time Has Come To Earn Their Pay. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-23. 0362-4331.
27. Web site: Kent . Milton . June 16, 1995 . TV to offer a feel for Stanley Cup . February 9, 2016 . Baltimore Sun.
28. Web site: REECE SAYS TAYLOR'S STRATEGY IS TO PLAY TO HIS STRENGTH . . April 16, 1993. February 9, 2016.
29. Web site: Nidetz . Steve . 1993-04-19 . ABC DROPS PUCK IN HAWKS PLAYOFF BROADCAST . 2024-03-16 . Chicago Tribune . en-US.
30. Web site: President Dazzles KB'S Boyd; ESPN Switches Jim Schoenfeld . Alan Pergament. . April 20, 1993. February 9, 2016.
31. Web site: Clement's Act Fits the Role . . May 31, 1993. February 9, 2016.
32. Web site: Nidetz . Steve . 1993-05-31 . SWITCH TO ESPN PROFITS NHL, FANS . 2024-02-29 . Chicago Tribune . en-US.
33. Web site: Pergament . Alan . April 2, 1994 . CH. 7'S BRENON ON THE MARK AS RINK-SIDE REPORTER . February 9, 2016 . Buffalo News.
34. News: Rachel. Shuster. Esposito on the spot, and ESPN on the ball . 3C. USA Today. May 10, 1988.