http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/121709aab.html
Big Ten Network to Debut Pre- and Post-Game Hockey Shows in January
Former Badger, current Blackhawk Adam Burish to rotate as analyst
Dec. 17, 2009
CHICAGO – The Big Ten Network is enhancing its live coverage of men’s ice hockey this season with the addition of pregame, intermission and post-game shows in conjunction with its Friday and Saturday telecasts in January, February and March.
Overall, the network is quadrupling its live men’s ice hockey coverage with the studio shows, nine telecasts and more than 20 live streamed games in 2009-10.
In addition, the network has added a pair of former WCHA stars to its lineup, including former University of Wisconsin captain and current Chicago Blackhawks winger Adam Burish and former Golden Gopher and retired NHL veteran Darby Hendrickson.
Burish and Hendrickson will rotate as studio analysts for the network’s pre- and post-game shows when they debut in January. Each will work alongside studio host Rick Pizzo, who played goaltender at the NCAA Division III level.
Burish, a native of Madison, Wis., captained the Badgers’ 2006 national championship team and assisted on both goals in the Badgers’ 2-1 victory in the national championship game against Boston College. A four-year NHL veteran, Burish is currently sidelined with a torn ACL in his knee and isn’t expected to rejoin the Blackhawks until April.
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Now, we should probably all shout with joy. Not just for Burish (who, by the way, is PERFECTLY suited for this kind of gig), but because we're actually seeing a sign that the BTN might actually give a rip about hockey. This is the same network that in its first year of operation mysteriously cancelled its coverage of one game between the Badgers and the Gophers, then pre-empted an absurd amount of the other game in the series because of a press conference for when Indiana's basketball coach got fired. The BTN's coverage of college hockey has been lackluster at best. Despite the great quality of the Big Ten hockey programs themselves (ok... everyone but OSU), there hasn't exactly been a lot of coverage, much less quality coverage being thrown hockey's way.
Not that we shouldn't be taking this with an appropriate grain of salt (it is the BTN after all...), but you'd have to think that even just PROMOTING the games for a change would be a huge step forward. Seriously, when's the last time you saw a hockey promo on the BTN? Now, they're suddenly quadrupling the amount of games covered AND throwing together what looks to be an interesting pre and post game show? I love it. Even if it still ends up being not as good as the coverage the stupid goofs get from FSN-Mn, this is still a major improvement, and we have to appreciate that.
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