NHL on USA

History

Manhattan Cable, later known as the MSG Network, debuted in spring 1969 and carried all home events from Madison Square Garden, including New York Rangers hockey. The first televised events were NHL and NBA playoffs in spring 1969, with Win Elliott doing play-by-play for the Rangers. HBO began simulcasting some MSG games in 1972, starting with a Rangers/Vancouver Canucks game on November 8, 1972, which was HBO's first program. The MSG/HBO partnership ended in 1977, after which Madison Square Garden sought a new partner for a national network.

Beginning with the 1977–78 season, all MSG home events were televised on a fledgling network that became the USA Network, debuting on September 22, 1977, as a continuation of the MSG Network but now nationally syndicated via satellite. In 1979, the National Hockey League replaced its syndicated package The NHL Network with a package on USA, then called UA-Columbia. UA-Columbia served as the cable syndicated arm of MSG Network, PRISM channel in Philadelphia, and other pay/cable outlets.

List of commentators

Play-by-play announcers included Dan Kelly (1979–85), Al Albert (1981–85), Dick Carlson (1980–82), Jiggs McDonald (1980–84), Mike Lange (1984 Stanley Cup playoffs), Jim Hughson (1984), and Mike Liut (1985 Stanley Cup Final). Color commentators included Don Cherry (1980–81), Mike Eruzione (1980–81), Phil Esposito (1980–81), Rod Gilbert (1981–82), Gary Green (1981–85), Brian McFarlane (1979–80), Lou Nanne (1979–80), Pete Stemkowski (1979–80), and Al Albert (1982–83). Reporters and hosts included Al Trautwig (1981–85), Jim Van Horne (1981–82), Scott Wahle (1979–80), and Jim West (1980–82). USA's national coverage was blacked out in the New York metro and Minnesota areas due to local rights. During the Stanley Cup Finals, local broadcasters such as SportsChannel New York, WOR, KMSP, and PRISM aired games in affected markets.