The NHL Draft will score big numbers for Versus

June 26, 9:08 AMSports Media ExaminerJim Williams

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Will some team find the next Alex Ovechkin? We will find out tonight on Versus at 7p.m.(AP-Photo) 

When – Tonight 7p.m.
TV – Versus, TSN, RDS (Special Draft edition on the NHL Network -10p.m.)
Broadband – NHL.com

Radio - Sirius -XM Center Ice

Tonight on a warm early summer evening at the Bell Centre in lovely Montreal the NHL will hold their annual entry draft and for once fans south of the Canadian border will be watching.

The NHL is cool again and tonight Versus is likely to set a new ratings record for their airing of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Fans will see the TSN broadcast of the Draft and it will rival ESPN’s coverage of the NFL Draft.

The TSN crew will feature James Duthie as the host on stage at the Bell Centre, interviewing GMs and players following their selections. He will be joined by TSN's Draft Panel of Bob McKenzie, Pierre McGuire and Gord Miller.

Also, Hockey Insider Darren Dreger will have reports from the draft floor, and for the first time, will be on Twitter giving hockey fans a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the all of excitement surrounding the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Dreger will be with the GMs and NHL executives reporting on all of the discussions and potential player moves. Reporter Ryan Rishaug will be conducting interviews with players and family members from the stands.

The NHL Network will be on at 10p.m. with an extensive recap show.

Meanwhile fans can also follow the NHL Draft action on the leagues website or on Sirius-XM Radio.

What a great year this has been for the NHL.
 

They have just completed the highest rated Stanley Cup Playoffs in over 30 years. National and local ratings are setting all time records. 

In the home of the StanleyCup Champion Pittsburgh Pens their local rating rivaled the Super Bowl Champion Steelers. Fox Sports Pittsburgh set all time ratings records throughout the playoff run.

But what is real music to the ears of NHL owners, players and fans is the fact that Pittsburgh was not the only cities where local ratings translated into national success.

Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and San Jose all top ten media markets had major rating increases locally that translated into big numbers once the Detroit-Pittsburgh final rolled around.

So tonight’s NHL Entry Draft will once again give Versus a great rating bump it will continue the momentum that the league has going heading into the off season and that is a huge point for the NHL.
 

Here is a TSN feature on the top prospects.