Eastlink TV's QMJHL Friday Night Hockey returns September 16

HALIFAX, Sept. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - QMJHL Friday Night Hockey, exclusively on Eastlink TV, returns on September 16 with the classic exhibition matchup between the Halifax Mooseheads and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Eastlink TV is Atlantic Canada's #1 Local Sports Channel - the leader in local high definition sports broadcasting.

"We've been bringing QMJHL to Eastlink TV viewers for more than 12 years and challenge ourselves each year to raise the bar on our in-depth coverage and production innovations like our Eastlink Ice Cam, which takes our viewers right on the ice," says Eastlink TV Vice President Michael Smith. "Over that span of time, QMJHL fans have had the unique opportunity to watch the development of Q players who have become NHL stars including Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, and Nathan MacKinnon, all on Eastlink TV."

QMJHL Friday Night Hockey on Eastlink TV features 24 regular season games from Halifax, Cape Breton, and Charlottetown plus playoff coverage.

Back by popular demand is Eastlink TV's play-by-play voice, Kris Abbott, for all 24 games on the schedule along with colour commentators Mike Smith and Paul MacDonald. Matt Beardsley returns as the in-arena host for games in Charlottetown while Mavs Gillis hosts games at the Scotiabank Centre and Centre 200.

Marquee matchups on this season's schedule include two visits from defending champion the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (October 21 & December 2); and what is sure to be an exciting game for Mooseheads fans - the return of coach Dominique Ducharme, who will be fresh off his stint as head coach of Team Canada at the World Juniors when Ducharme's team Drummondville visit Halifax on January 13.

Friday Night Hockey game times get underway at 7 p.m. The pre-game show starts at 6:30 p.m, which will also be live streamed on You Tube!

Schedule and Quotes below:

QMJHL: "Eastlink provides great coverage of our QMJHL games in the Maritimes," says Photi Sotiropoulos, Director of Communications for the QMJHL. "Being able to showcase major junior hockey in the Atlantic provinces is a great way to welcome more fans into our rinks and provide them with the unique opportunity to see future NHL stars develop. We are proud of our teams and are happy to be able to share them with all of our fans in the comfort of their own homes." 

Halifax Mooseheads: "We're excited to continue our partnership with Eastlink TV for another exciting season in Moose Country," said Brian Urquhart, Vice President Business Operations for the Halifax Mooseheads. "Eastlink does a great job broadcasting our games to Mooseheads fans across the region."

CB Screaming Eagles: "The Screaming Eagles are once again excited to have our games broadcast on Eastlink TV," said Peter MacDonald, General Manager – Business Operations. "Eastlink TV does an exceptional job to bring Friday Night hockey to our fans."

Charlottetown Islanders: "We are thrilled to be partnering with Eastlink again for the upcoming season," says Craig Foster President of the Charlottetown Islanders. "Friday Night Hockey has become a premier broadcast that will give us the opportunity to showcase what should be an exciting season of Charlottetown Islanders hockey. With its growing fan base it allows us to get our team in front of more eyes than ever before."

QMJHL Friday Night Hockey - 2016/17 Broadcast Schedule (Pre-game show 6:30, Game Time 7:00)

Sept. 16	Cape Breton @ Halifax (Exhibition Game)
Sept 23	Acadie-Bathurst @ Cape Breton
Oct. 1	Cape Breton @ Halifax (Special Saturday Edition)
Oct. 7	Charlottetown @ Cape Breton
Oct. 15	Cape Breton @ Charlottetown (Special Saturday Edition)
Oct. 21	Rouyn-Noranda @ Halifax
Oct. 28	Halifax @ Cape Breton
Nov 4	Chicoutimi @ Charlottetown
Nov 11	Saint John @ Charlottetown
Nov 25	Shawinigan @ Charlottetown
Dec. 2	Rouyn-Noranda @ Charlottetown
Dec. 9	Blainville-Boisbriand @ Halifax
Dec. 16	Moncton @ Charlottetown
Dec. 30	Halifax @ Cape Breton
Jan. 6	Moncton @ Halifax
Jan. 13	Drummondville @ Halifax (Dom's Return)
Jan. 20	Baie Comeau @ Halifax
Jan. 27	Charlottetown @ Cape Breton
Feb. 3	Acadie-Bathurst @ Cape Breton
Feb. 10	Halifax @ Charlottetown
Feb. 18	Charlottetown @ Halifax (Special Saturday Edition)
Feb. 24	Acadie-Bathurst @ Halifax
Mar. 3	Halifax @ Cape Breton
Mar. 10	Moncton @ Cape Breton
Mar 17	Cape Breton @ Halifax

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SOURCE Eastlink

Jill Laing, Public and Media Relations, [e-mail], T: 902.446.1939, C: 902.488.5283