CBC announces Hockey Night in Canada broadcast team for PWHL season

Detailed summary

In forming its broadcast team for the return of Hockey Night in Canada with Professional Women’s Hockey League coverage, CBC Sports has turned to broadcasters, journalists, and former players.

Leading from the studio, starting Dec. 5, will be award-winning sportscaster Andi Petrillo, along with four-time Olympic medallist Cassie Campbell-Pascal and writer Hailey Savian from The Athletic.

The in-game broadcast team features two-time multi-sport Olympic Games broadcaster Daniella Ponticelli (play-by-play) who called the first PWHL game on Jan. 1, 2024, three-time Olympic champion Becky Kellar (analysis) and Rob Pizzo reporting rinkside who has covered women’s and men’s hockey at all levels.

In late September, the CBC announced Hockey Night in Canada would return for a 90th season with eight prime time PWHL contests on Saturday nights, beginning with the defending Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire hosting Hamilton’s expansion team. The game will be available on CBC-TV, with live streaming at CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, and will feature the Victoire's banner-raising celebration.

On June 16, CBC announced it would no longer broadcast NHL games after it and national rights-holder Rogers Sportsnet were unable to come to agreement on a new sublicensing deal.

Canada’s national public broadcaster retained the Hockey Night in Canada trademark should it wish to incorporate the brand into future coverage.

Petrillo, Campbell-Pascal and Salvian will provide pre- and post-game coverage and between periods, breaking down the biggest plays, key storylines and defining moments from around the league.

Host of CBC Sports Primetime on Saturday evenings, Petrillo is the first women to join the Hockey Night in Canada team full-time. A three-time Canadian Screen Award recipient for Best Sports Host, she has also hosted seven Olympics for CBC and PWHL coverage since its inaugural season in 2024.

Campbell-Pascall, who became the first woman to provide colour commentary on Hockey Night in Canada…

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