NHL Network To Launch New Documentary Series, NHL Network Originals
Story Highlights
As the National Hockey League celebrates its 100th season in 2016-17, NHL Network will explore hockey’s rich history and tradition in its first-ever documentary series, NHL Network Originals. To mark the start of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the first installment of NHL Network Originals is Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey, premiering on Wednesday, September 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET, 20 years to the day that Team USA defeated favored Team Canada to win the inaugural World Cup of Hockey.
Narrated by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and hockey fan James Hetfield of Metallica, the hour-long program features members of Team USA from 1996, including general manager and Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello, head coach Ron Wilson, and players Tony Amonte, Bill Guerin, Hall of Famer Brett Hull, captain and Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, Keith Tkachuk, and Doug Weight, discussing their journey to tournament champions, which many fans and media thought was unattainable. Team USA’s come-from-behind series victory in the finals against Team Canada is closely examined, as Team Canada’s Theo Fleury and Hall of Famers Eric Lindros, Mark Messier, Scott Stevens, and Steve Yzerman discuss losing the one-goal lead in the deciding game with less than four minutes left to play at Montreal’s Molson Centre.
Iconic Canadian hockey broadcaster Don Cherry, Hall of Fame broadcaster Doc Emrick, and former New York Daily News sportswriter John Dellapina share insight on the tournament’s signature moments, including Hull’s memorable two-goal performance in Team USA’s semifinals victory against Team Russia.
Former referee Terry Gregson talks about officiating the tournament’s deciding game between Team USA and Team Canada, saying, “This was the toughest game I had to referee in my professional career. … It was aggressive everywhere.”
The impact Team USA’s 1996 championship had on future generations of American hockey players is also highlighted, as Minnesota Wild alternate captain Zach Parise recalls watching the finals as a 12-year old in Minneapolis.
In addition to Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey, NHL Network will provide extensive coverage of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, including media day on Thursday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m. ET followed by a special roundtable show with NHL Network analysts and members of the 1996 Team USA at 7:00 p.m. ET. NHL Network’s Tony Luftman and Brian Boucher will anchor NHL Tonight: World Cup of Hockey Preview on Friday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET. NHL Tonight: World Cup of Hockey Edition will air live following every World Cup of Hockey game, with analysts E.J. Hradek and Mike Johnson reporting from Toronto, the site of this year’s tournament.
