Hockey Weekend Across America is an annual event devised byUSA Hockey to promote the game ofice hockey in theUnited States. The weekend is capped by "Hockey Day in America", with broadcasts ofNational Hockey League games on the national networks ofNBC (2011–2021) andTNT (2024–present).
In 2011, each day of the three-day event had a particular theme. Friday was "Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey Day". Saturday, "Bring a Friend to the Rink Day", featured a number of "Try Hockey for Free" clinics throughout the country. Sunday was "Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day".[1]
Four NHL games were broadcast on NBC on Sunday. The first three were regional games broadcast to specific regions of the country:Washington Capitals atBuffalo Sabres,Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers, andDetroit Red Wings atMinnesota Wild. The fourth game,Pittsburgh Penguins atChicago Blackhawks, was broadcast nationally.[2]
Coincidentally, in neighboringCanada, there were also significant hockey celebrations that weekend, associated with the2011 Heritage Classic held the same day asHockey Day in America. The two events were unrelated, but the NHL scheduled the Sunday games so that the regional doubleheader led into the Heritage Classic, forming a tripleheader.
TheAmerican Hockey League held the "Whale Bowl," the second annual installment of itsoutdoor game series, on the Saturday of the same weekend. TheProvidence Bruins defeated the host teamConnecticut Whale 5–4 in a shootout in front of 15,234 fans at Rentschler Field. Included in the same set of festivities were two other outdoor game, one involving college hockey teams and another an alumni game featuring former members of theBoston Bruins andHartford Whalers, the namesakes (and in the case of the Bruins, the NHL affiliate) of the two teams participating in the Whale Bowl.
Sunday's "Hockey Day in America" was headquartered atMcCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink withinMillennium Park inChicago, where theStanley Cup was on display.[2]
Hockey Weekend Across America followed a similar format for 2012. Hockey Day in America, held February 19, featured the Sabres hosting the Penguins, the Red Wings hosting theSan Jose Sharks, andSt. Louis at Chicago in the regional action; the Wild hosted the Bruins in the nationally televised afternoon game, while theNew Jersey Devils traveled to face theMontreal Canadiens in the nightcap onNBC Sports Network. Coverage was headquartered at Landmark Plaza inSt. Paul, Minnesota. The TV coverage earned the highest ratings for a non-Winter Classic regular season game since NBC took over the broadcast contract.[3]
All 30 AHL teams played on February 19, but no outdoor games were scheduled at any level.
The 2013 Hockey Day in America, held on February 17, featured three nationally televised games: Pittsburgh at Buffalo and theLos Angeles Kings at Chicago on NBC, andWashington at New York Rangers onNBCSN.[4] NBC headquartered its coverage fromWollman Rink inNew York City.
The 2014 Hockey Weekend Across America was scheduled on March 1–2, later than previous years due to theWinter Olympic hockey tournament in mid-February. NBC Sports televised games on both days. On Saturday Night, March 1, NBC televised the closing game of the2014 NHL Stadium Series between the Pittsburgh and Chicago. On the next day, NBC hadWashington at Philadelphia; while NBCSN televised the2014 Heritage Classic between theOttawa Senators and theVancouver Canucks, followed by Boston at the NY Rangers.
The 2015 Hockey Weekend Across America was held on February 21–22, during the 35th Anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice". Members of theU.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team, who defeated theSoviet Union national team during the medal-round at the1980 Winter Olympics, reunited at theHerb Brooks Arena inLake Placid, New York.[5] NBC also headquartered its coverage from Lake Placid. NBCSN televised the2015 NHL Stadium Series between Los Angeles and the San Jose on February 21. The next day featured three nationally televised games:Washington at Philadelphia and Boston at Chicago on NBC, and theDallas Stars at Minnesota on NBCSN.[6]
The 2016 weekend was held on February 21, with three games under theHockey Day in America banner being played on Sunday, February 21: Pittsburgh at Buffalo followed by a2016 NHL Stadium Series game between Chicago and Minnesota on NBC, and then Detroit at the NY Rangers on NBCSN.The Minnesota Wild destroyed the Blackhawks 6–1 in the outdoor game. While The Rangers beat the Red Wings 1–0 in OT. The Penguins also beat the Sabres 4–3.[7]
The 2017 weekend was held on February 19, with NBC and NBCSN combining to show a quadruple header for theirHockey Day in America coverage on Sunday, February 19. The action started on NBC withWashington at New York Rangers at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by Detroit at Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m. ET. The action then shifted to NBCSN with Chicago at Buffalo at 6 p.m. ET, and concluded with Boston at San Jose 8:30 p.m. ET.[8]
The 2019 weekend was held on February 17, with NBC and NBCSN combining to show a triple-header for theirHockey Day in America coverage on Sunday, February 17. The action started on NBC with the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the NY Rangers, followed by a game between St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild. The action shifts to NBCSN for a conclusion with Philadelphia at Detroit. Also, in a format change, "Inside the Glass" analystPierre McGuire called the early game ofHockey Day in America (12:30 p.m. ET; NBC) whileMike Emrick,Eddie Olczyk, and "Inside-the-Glass" analystBrian Boucher called the second game of the doubleheader (3:30 p.m. ET; NBC). McGuire joins the lead team on all otherNHL Game of the Week games.[9]
The 2020 Hockey Weekend Across America was held on February 15–16 and commemorated the 40th anniversary of theMiracle on Ice. NBC Sports televised games on both days. On Saturday night, February 15, NBC broadcast the2020 NHL Stadium Series between theLos Angeles Kings andColorado Avalanche. The next day, NBC broadcast Detroit at Pittsburgh, followed by Boston at New York Rangers, while NBCSN showed St. Louis at Nashville.[10]
Due to thecoronavirus pandemic, the NHL reduced the regular season to 56 games.[11] Consequently, the 2021 weekend was in March, with NBC and NBCSN combining to show a quadruple header for theirHockey Day in America coverage on Sunday, March 7.[12]
This was also NBC's final season covering NHL games, as the national television contracts in the U.S. were awarded toESPN/ABC andTNT effective the 2021–22 season. In 2022 and 2023, neither ESPN nor TNT continued NBC's tradition of covering special NHL broadcasts as part ofHockey Day in America.
In 2024, TNT revived theHockey Day in America tradition with a doubleheader on February 25. The first game involved theTampa Bay Lightning at theNew Jersey Devils, and the second game featured thePhiladelphia Flyers at thePittsburgh Penguins. The games would also mark the beginning of TNT's late-season Sunday slate of games.[13]
In 2025,Hockey Day in America returned with a doubleheader on February 23. The first game involved theEdmonton Oilers at theWashington Capitals, and the second game featured theNew York Rangers at thePittsburgh Penguins. Both games aired on TNT, marking the beginning of their late-season Sunday slate of games. Additionally,ESPN+ aired a third game, which featured theToronto Maple Leafs at theChicago Blackhawks. In addition, TNT's sister channelTruTV, along with ESPN2 and other Disney platforms, aired "Skate for LA Strong", a benefit celebrity hockey game raising funds for the LA Fire Relief Fund.