CHL Partners With Rogers Sportsnet For Five More Years

Sportsnet broadcasting the CHL since 1998 

TORONTO (May 24, 2009) – The Canadian Hockey League and Rogers Sportsnet today announced a five-year extension, maintaining Rogers Sportsnet as the home for the MasterCard Memorial Cup.

The agreement includes 10 national regular season games covering the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League.  In addition, one national playoff game will come from the OHL.  Also, 12 regional games are part of the package.  Sportsnet will continue its high definition coverage of the MasterCard Memorial Cup. 

As in the past, Sportsnet will present all six contests from the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge, the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and the Subway OHL All-Star Classic. 

“The Canadian Hockey League is most pleased and excited to announce that we have entered into a new five-year broadcast partnership with Rogers Sportsnet” said CHL President David Branch.  “Our initial relationship with Rogers Sportsnet commenced 11 years ago and from that point forward the CHL and its 60 member teams have enjoyed unprecedented growth largely due to the outstanding and passionate coverage and support through our Rogers Sportsnet telecasts.  We look forward to continuing our growth with nationwide coverage of the number one development league in the world for the National Hockey League and Canadian Interuniversity Sport.”

"Our relationship with the CHL is Sportsnet's oldest partnership, dating back to our launch year of 1998,” said Doug Beeforth, President, Rogers Sportsnet.   “We're delighted to continue as the destination for Canadians to watch the CHL's brand of exciting and entertaining hockey - culminating every year with our country's greatest National Championship: The MasterCard Memorial Cup.”

For all the scores, highlights, breaking news and inside stories from the CHL tune in to Sportsnet Connected and log on to sportsnet.ca. “Your home team. First.”