- Commentator team leads 100 exclusive game slate
- Play-by-play led by veteran voices Sean McDonough, Mike Monaco and Bob Wischusen; Ray Ferraro (analyst) and Emily Kaplan (insider/reporter) return for regular season games, marquee matchups and postseason
- Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban return as lead studio crew throughout the season
With the 2026-27 NHL season approaching, ESPN has set its game broadcaster commentator lineup featuring a deep roster of broadcast veterans, Stanley Cup Champions, Olympic Medalists and trusted reporters for its coverage across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and Disney+.
ESPN’s veteran broadcasting team is led by signature play-by-play voices Sean McDonough, who has called three Stanley Cup Finals, Mike Monaco and Bob Wischusen. Each will serve as a lead voice for the network’s marquee matchups and major events throughout the season. Featured alongside them throughout the season are analyst Ray Ferraro, whose 18-year NHL career included more than 1,200 games played, and NHL insider and reporter Emily Kaplan, who has covered the league for ESPN since 2017.
Returning for its sixth season, ESPN’s signature NHL studio team of Steve Levy (host/play-by-play), entering his 34th year with the company, six-time Stanley Cup Champion Mark Messier (analyst) and 13-season NHL veteran P.K. Subban (analyst) will deliver comprehensive pregame, intermission and postgame coverage throughout the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Also set to continue in their roles under new agreements are studio and game analysts Erik Johnson and T.J. Oshie. Johnson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft and a 2022 Stanley Cup champion, and Oshie, a 2018 Stanley Cup champion, both made their ESPN debuts last season and will contribute across regular-season and playoff coverage.
2026-27 season NHL on ESPN game broadcast commentators:
- Play-by-Play: Roxy Bernstein, John Buccigross, Steve Levy, Sean McDonough, Mike Monaco, and Bob Wischusen
- Analysts: Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Ray Ferraro, Erik Johnson, Mark Messier, A.J. Mleczko, T.J. Oshie, P.K. Subban and Kevin Weekes
- Reporters: Stormy Buonantony, Leah Hextall and Emily Kaplan (NHL insider)
- Hosts: Levy and Buccigross
- Rules Analyst: Dave Jackson
ESPN’s NHL game commentator team will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the regular season and marquee events, including Opening Night, Frozen Frenzy, ABC Hockey Saturdays, All-Star Weekend, Stadium Series and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The puck drops on the NHL 2026-27 season on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with an opening night tripleheader exclusively on ESPN and the ESPN App. Beginning at 5 p.m. ET, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers with Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Erik Johnson (analyst) and Leah Hextall (reporter) on the call. Action follows at 8 p.m. with an Original Six matchup between the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins with Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Ray Ferraro (analyst) and Emily Kaplan (insider/reporter) calling the action. The night concludes at 10:30 p.m. when Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks face the Vegas Golden Knights with Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kevin Weekes (analyst) and Stormy Buonantony (reporter) on the call. ESPN will present 100 exclusive NHL games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu during the 2026-27 season.
All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited subscription, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able shortform vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package from certain providers. Bundling options available for fans include a Disney+, Hulu, ESPN offering that provides a one-of-a-kind streaming package combining sports with branded and general entertainment. For more visit stream.espn.com.
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Media Contacts:
Andrea DiCristoforo | andrea.dicristoforo@espn.com | 213-405-4612
Megan Nelson | Megan.S.Nelson@espn.com | 310-741-0689