The IIHF World Hockey Championships begin this Friday in Prague.
Buffalo Sabres fans get ready because you are going to be getting multiple opportunities to watch your next generational player play for Team USA!
NBC Sports Network will air every Team USA game as part of more than 40 hours of tournament coverage across television and online digital platforms.
Eichel, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, highlights the American roster along with the likes of Justin Faulk, Nick Bonino, Jake Gardiner and Torey Krug.
Eichel, 18, shattered the NCAA freshman scoring record by producing 71 points in his first season of college hockey. Eichel led his BU Terriers from the front to a win at the vaunted Beanpot Tournament in February. He also led BU to the Frozen Four and to the NCAA national championship game. Providence College defeated Boston University in the national championship tilt. Eichel was the consensus #1 player to win the Hobey Baker Award.
Eichel has been Central Scouting's #2 prospect all season long. The margin has narrowed considerably between Eichel and Connor McDavid. Edmonton won the NHL Draft Lottery on 4/18 and would be crazy not to select McDavid. The Buffalo Sabres finished second in the lottery and will be selecting Eichel.
According to The Neilsen Ratings Company, Buffalo, NY was NBCSN's number one rated NHL TV market this past regular season. Buffalo routinely finishes in the top three rated TV markets behind Boston/Providence and Pittsburgh.
“As the U.S. television home of hockey, we’re thrilled to present comprehensive coverage for the fifth consecutive year of IIHF World Hockey Championship, the sport’s premier annual international tournament,… said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBCSN. “The World Championship is another example of our commitment to hockey, from our near-200 games of regular-season and Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, to our presentations of international hockey at the Olympic, Paralympic and Championship levels.…
Live coverage begins on NBCSN on Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m. ET, when Team USA faces Finland, the 2014 silver medalist, in the first of seven preliminary-round games, which will all air on NBCSN. Team USA’s preliminary-round matchups also feature a showdown with 2014 IIHF gold medalist Russia, onMonday, May 4, at 10 a.m. ET on NBCSN. Last year, Team USA finished second in preliminary-round play before losing 4-3 to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinal round.
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Here is the full schedule of games (Eastern Standard Time)
Fri., May 1
Team USA vs. Finland NBCSN 10 a.m.
Sat., May 2
Team USA vs. Norway* NBCSN 11 p.m.
Mon., May 4
Team USA vs. Russia NBCSN 10 a.m.
Thur., May 7
Team USA vs. Belarus NBCSN 10 a.m.
Fri., May 8
Team USA vs. Denmark NBCSN 2 p.m.
Sun., May 10
Team USA vs. Slovenia* NBCSN 3 p.m.
Tue., May 12
Team USA vs. Slovakia NBCSN 10 a.m.
Thu., May 14
IIHF Quarterfinals NBCSN 9 a.m. IIHF Quarterfinals NBC Sports Live Extra 10 a.m. IIHF Quarterfinals** NBCSN 11:30 a.m. IIHF Quarterfinals NBC Sports Live Extra 1 p.m. IIHF Quarterfinals NBC Sports Live Extra 2 p.m. IIHF Quarterfinals* NBCSN 11:30 p.m.
Sat., May 16
IIHF Semifinals NBC Sports Live Extra 9:30 a.m. IIHF Semifinals NBC Sports Live Extra 1 p.m.
Sun., May 17
IIHF Bronze Medal Game NBC Sports Live Extra 10 a.m. IIHF Championship Game NBCSN 2:30 p.m.
*denotes same-day delay
**denotes joined-in-progress