''NHL Live'' is a television show on NBC Sports Network. The program airs after every National Hockey League game the network televises as part of '' NHL on NBC''. The

postgame show A post-game, postgame, or post-match show is a TV or radio presentation that occurs immediately after the live broadcast of a major sporting event. Contents may include: * instant replay, replays of key moments in the game. * interviews with Player ...

was initially known as ''Hockey Central'', airing from their

Stamford, Connecticut Stamford () is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut, outside of Manhattan. It is Connecticut's second-most populous city, behind Bridgeport. With a population of 135,470, Stamford passed Hartford and New Haven in population as of the 2020 ...

studios. With the new contract with NBC beginning in the , the new pregame show is called ''NHL Live'' and the new postgame show is called ''NHL Overtime'', which show the '' NHL on NBC'' studio host and analysts, from the NBC and Comcast (original owner of Versus) merger.

History

''Hockey Central'' first aired on October 5, 2005. Given the limited time to prepare the studio after OLN won the broadcasting rights of the NHL in the summer of 2005, the first set was extremely spartan. This served as the temporary home to Hockey Central until a permanent set could be built midway through the first season. The show is hosted by Bill Patrick and a rotating panel of analysts as they break down highlights of other games, show special features on NHL players, and debate key issues in the NHL. The format is similar to TNT's '' Inside the NBA''. Sometimes, VERSUS airs a pre-game edition of the show, usually prior to a double-header. The show originally did not air after double-headers, instead it usually took place between games, but starting with the 2007–08 season, aired both in between and after doubleheaders, unless the early game goes to overtime. It is also known as the "Hockey Central Post Game Report" or just "Hockey Central". The show was sponsored by

eSurance Esurance Insurance Services, Inc. is an American insurance company. It sells auto, home, motorcycle, and renters insurance direct to consumers online and by phone. Founded in 1999, the company was acquired by Allstate in 2011. History Esurance ...

during the 2006–07 season, and is now sponsored by

Bud Light Anheuser-Busch, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, is the largest brewing company in the United States, with a market share of 45 percent in 2016. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and nearly 20 in othe ...

. ''Hockey Central'' was first broadcast in HD on October 3, 2007.

Location

''Hockey Central'' is recorded live from Versus'

studios. At times, the studio has gone on location for special events, usually the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, french: Finale de la Coupe Stanley) is the National Hockey League's (NHL) championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, North America ...

. VERSUS' on location studio shows have aired from: * Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan: February 12, 2006 * RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina: June 5, 2006; June 7, 2006 * American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas: January 24, 2007 * Honda Center, Anaheim, California: May 28, 2007 and May 30, 2007. * Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan: May 24, 2008 and May 26, 2008. * Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: June 2, 2009 and June 4, 2009 *

Wachovia Center The Wells Fargo Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Philadelphia. It serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the ...

, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: June 2, 2010 and June 4, 2010

Personalities

Current

Studio host

Liam McHugh Liam McHugh (born ) is an American television sportscaster. He is a studio host for Turner Sports coverage of the NHL. He previously worked on NBC Sports coverage of the NHL as well as Notre Dame Fighting Irish football and '' NBC Sunday N ...

: Lead studio host (2010–2021) * Kathryn Tappen: Lead studio host (2014–2021) *

Paul Burmeister Paul Burmeister (born March 10, 1971) Paul Burmeister is an American sportscaster with NBC Sports and NBC Olympics, working primarily as a play-by-play voice and studio host across a wide range of platforms. Prior to his arrival at NBC in 2014, he ...

: Stanley Cup Playoffs studio host and Stanley Cup Finals stadium host (2016–2021)

Studio analysts

* Keith Jones: Lead studio analyst (2005–2021); also color commentator for NBC Sports Philadelphia ( Philadelphia Flyers broadcasts) *

Patrick Sharp Patrick Sharp (born December 27, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars. After his retirement as a pla ...

: Lead studio analyst (2019–2021) * Anson Carter: Studio analyst (2012–2021); "''Inside the Glass''" reporter (2015) * Brian Boucher: "Inside the Glass" reporter/studio analyst (2015–2021) *

Mike Johnson James Michael Johnson (born January 30, 1972) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the List of speakers of the United States House of Representatives, 56th speaker of the United States House of Representatives since October 25, 20 ...

: color commentator/studio analyst (2017–2021); also color commentator for

TSN Hockey ''TSN Hockey'' (formerly the ''NHL on TSN'' and ''The NHL Tonight on TSN'') is the blanket title used by TSN's broadcasts of the National Hockey League. After holding the Canadian national cable rights to the NHL from 1985 to 1998 and again from ...

* Bob McKenzie: NHL insider (2014–2021); also insider for

* Darren Dreger: NHL insider (2014–2021); also insider for

Ben Lovejoy Benjamin N. Lovejoy (born February 20, 1984) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He most recently played for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Anaheim D ...

: studio analyst (2020–2021) * Scott Hartnell: guest studio analyst (2020–2021); also back-up color commentator for NBC Sports Philadelphia ( Philadelphia Flyers broadcasts) * Mike Babcock: guest studio analyst (2021) *

Ryan Callahan Ryan G. Callahan (born March 21, 1985) is an Americans, American former professional ice hockey winger (ice hockey), right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He ...

: guest studio analyst (2021) *

Dominic Moore Benjamin Dominic Moore (born August 3, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He most recently played for the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL), and has played nearly 900 National Hockey League (NHL) games. Initially draft ...

: guest studio analyst and color commentator (2021)

Former

Bill Clement William H. Clement (born December 20, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who became an author, speaker, actor, entrepreneur, and hockey broadcaster. Clement played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), and was ...

: Lead studio host (2005–2007) * Bill Patrick: Lead studio host (2007–2010) *

Mark Messier Mark John Douglas Messier (; born January 18, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League (NHL). His playing career in the NHL lasted 25 years ( 1979– 2004) with the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rang ...

: Studio analyst (2006-2008) * Pierre McGuire: Lead studio analyst (2005–2006) * Mike Milbury: Lead studio analyst/"Inside the Glass" reporter (2008–present), substitute lead color commentator (2017–2021) * Neil Smith; Lead studio analyst (2005–2006) *

P.J. Stock Philip Joseph Stock (born May 26, 1975) is a Canadians, Canadian Sports commentator, sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player. After retiring as a player in 2004, he hosted a radio show on Montreal station CKGM (AM), Team 99 ...

: Studio analyst (2005) * Al Trautwig: Studio host (2005–2007) * Jack Edwards: Studio host (2005–2007) *

Brian Engblom Brian Paul Engblom (born January 27, 1955) is a Canadian ice hockey broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and a former professional hockey defenseman. Biography Engblom was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and played for the University of Wiscons ...

: Occasional Studio analyst (2005–06), Lead studio analyst (2006–2011) * Darren McCarty: Lead studio analyst (2009–2011) * Mike Keenan: Guest studio analyst (2009–2011) * John Stevens: Guest studio analyst (2010) * Jeremy Roenick: Studio analyst (2010–2019), lead NHL outdoor games reporter (2014–2019)

Playoffs

* Rick DiPietro Studio analyst (

2006 File:2006 Events Collage V1.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin; Twitter is founded and launched by Jack Dorsey; The Nintendo Wii is released; Montenegro 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, votes to declare ...

2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League (NHL) began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The 16 teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarterfinals, se ...

) *

Tom Fitzgerald Tom Fitzgerald or Thomas Fitzgerald, Thomas FitzGerald may refer to: * Tom Fitzgerald (economist) (1918–1993), Australian, delivered 1990 Boyer Lectures * Tom Fitzgerald (handballer) (born 1966), American handball player * Tom Fitzgerald (soccer ...

Studio analyst (2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs) * Mike Knuble Studio analyst (2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs) *

Ken Hitchcock Kenneth S. Hitchcock (born December 17, 1951) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach. Hitchcock coached the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League ( ...

Studio analyst (

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs The 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 11, 2007. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then t ...

) * Peter Laviolette Studio analyst (2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs) *

Ted Nolan Theodore John Nolan (born April 7, 1958) is a Canadian former professional hockey left winger, former head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and Latvia men's national ice hockey team. From July 2017 until May 2018 he was head coach of the Poland men' ...

Studio analyst (2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2009) * Aaron Ward Studio analyst (2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs) * Doug Weight Studio analyst (2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs) *

Manny Legacé Emmanuel Legace (born February 4, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender, who played most notably in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, and later the St. Louis Blues. Legace also enjoyed spells with the L ...

Studio analyst (

)

Breakdown of studio team

2005–06

=Regular season

= During the 2005–06 NHL season,

was named the lead studio host while former NHL forward Keith Jones and then-former NHL GM Neil Smith were the regular analysts on the show. On Monday nights, Pierre McGuire join them. Sometimes, Smith or McGuire would be on assignment for

TSN TSN may refer to: Science and technology * Translin, DNA binding protein involved in microRNA function * Taxonomic serial number, a stable and unique taxonomic serial number issued by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System * The Science Netwo ...

, and a rotating cast of analysts will replace them, including

P. J. Stock Philip Joseph Stock (born May 26, 1975) is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player. After retiring as a player in 2004, he hosted a radio show on Montreal station Team 990 and later became a regular member of th ...

, and

Eddie Olczyk Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. (; born August 16, 1966) is a former center in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He ...

(later in the season when he was fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins).

=Postseason

= During the playoffs, they brought in current NHL players Flyers' Mike Knuble, the Islanders' Rick DiPietro, and the Bruins'

. Lastly, hockey great

was a guest analyst during the

2006 Stanley Cup Finals The 2006 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2005–06 season, and the culmination of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. The first Stanley Cup Finals since 2004 after a lockout in 2004 and 2005, it ...

2006–07

For the 2006–07 season, Jones and Engblom were brought back as regulars, while Clement remained as the primary host. The network also brought back Olczyk, but he was not used as often due to his commitments to the Chicago Blackhawks. Pierre McGuire and Neil Smith did not return to the network.

=Postseason

= During the playoffs, they brought in current NHL players

Blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...

' Doug Weight and the Bruins' Aaron Ward. They also brought in current and former NHL head coaches; the

Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

and the Hurricanes' Peter Laviolette. The Islanders'

join the studio after his team was eliminated in the first round by the Buffalo Sabres. Lastly, hockey great

was a guest analyst during the

2007 Stanley Cup Finals The 2007 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2006–07 season, and the culmination of the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Western Conference champion Anaheim Ducks and th ...

2007–08

Clement left the network prior to the 2007–08 season, and former ''

SportsCenter ''SportsCenter'' (SC) is a daily sports news television show, television program that serves as the flagship program and brand of United States, American cable television, cable and satellite television television network, network ESPN. The show ...

'' host and USA Network PGA Tour play-by-play man Bill Patrick replaced him. Both Jones and Engblom are returned to the show, which moved to Versus' new in-house, HD studio in Connecticut.

=Postseason

= During the playoffs, Rick DiPietro of the

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...

rejoin the studio team after his team failed to qualify for the playoffs. They also brought in

, the former

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

' goaltender. Lastly, hockey great

was a guest analyst during the

2008 Stanley Cup Finals The 2008 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2007–08 season, and the culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings ...

History

Location

Personalities

Current

Studio host

Studio analysts

Former

Playoffs

Breakdown of studio team

2005–06

=Regular season

=Postseason

2006–07

=Postseason

2007–08

=Postseason

See also