Takin' a T/O With BT: The Low-Down On The 2008 NHL Playoffs With Versus

For all you hockey fans out there, you've lived and died by your televisions this playoff season.

For Canadian viewers, it's been through TSN. For American viewers, however, it's been through VERSUS.

In an attempt to get people fired up (as if you needed even more reason right?) for the Stanley Cup finals, I was able to talk to Darren Eliot, an analyst on VERSUS, and we discussed the changing trends of the game, the difference between the American and Canadian markets, and even did a little bit of prognosticating.

 
Bryan Thiel: Darren, thanks for joining us. Before we get too in-depth here, I'm sure the fans would love to know how you got involved with VERSUS? Was working on a hockey broadcast one of your main goals following your playing career or was it an opportunity that you were approached with that you had to take time to consider? 

Darren Eliot: I was fortunate enough to be approached by VERSUS—then OLN—to serve as one of their game analysts for the network's initial foray into covering the NHL. I was thrilled at the opportunity an am proud to have been a part of the VERSUS coverage of the NHL since its inception and to be involved as our telecasts have grown in scope and quality.

BT: Now there are some at VERSUS who have spent time at Canadian corporations such as TSN—is there a difference between the broadcasting standards and expectations in the United States as opposed to Canada?

DE: No. All of the networks strive to achieve the highest quality on a nightly basis.

 
BT: What do you find is the biggest difference between the crowds at a hockey game at a Canadian venue as opposed to those in an American one? 

DE: American crowds are more in tune with the in-arena element of the game experience than the Canadian audiences, meaning that I find US fans are louder than their Canadian counterparts at play stoppages.

When the action is going on, cheering transcends borders. 

 
BT: Now, much has been made about the amount of teams in the NHL. With the six teams in Canada flourishing, do you feel that the American market simply has too many teams, or are some of the teams in need of a more energized market?

DE: Every market presents its own unique challenges. I do not think there are too many teams in the US. In fact, there are several untapped markets, in my mind, where NHL hockey is viable. But, you can't expect cultural roots overnight. It takes time and there are no shortcuts.

Emerging markets have to be very aware of the need to have a plan from the grass roots up—from building youth rinks to a Stanley Cup winner.

 
BT:

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?