Mears showing versatility for Penguins
September 20, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
Just as players find their nitch within the organization, it seems that Steve Mears continues to find his way to feature his talents with the Pittsburgh Penguins Broadcast stations.
Mears will replace play-by-play announcer Mike Lange for the upcoming road games in the pre-season, allowing Mike to take a short break from an early road trip in the year. Mears will work his first game at play-by-play since last season with the New York Islanders.
Mears will host the radio show “Penguins Live,” on the Penguins new HD Radio station (105.9 HD2), beginning on October 1st, from 9:30am until 12pm. Steve has also been rumored to host two brand-new Penguins Television shows, that have yet to be announced, as well as involvement with their current production, Inside Penguins Hockey. The first confirmation of this rumor follows here:
He’ll also conduct post-game interviews at home games on the team’s regular-season radio broadcasts and will host some of the Penguins’ supplementary TV shows.
For more on Steve Mears and his new home with the Penguins, go here:
Exclusive Interview with Chris Kontos & his revolutionary portable skate sharpener
September 13, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL, Off the Ice
I caught up with former NHL player (and Pittsburgh Penguin) Chris Kontos at the Island Sports Center, right before he was set to show the Pittsburgh Penguins Equipment Staff and Dana Heinze, his new revolutionary portable skate sharpener. The idea comes from his own playing days, missing a shift during games because you lose an edge, his new product “Edge Again” is design to allow an equipment manager to sharpen a player’s skate while on the bench.
Chris tells you more about it in this video:
Penguins hire Steve Mears to host HD Radio Show
September 12, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins are less than a month away from launching the first NHL Team operated HD Radio Station, in conjunction with 105.9 WXDX, and the first move made was bringing in the former New York Islanders TV Play by Play Announcer, Steve Mears, to host a daily show called “Penguins Live.” Steve is a native of Pittsburgh and was known for hoping to come back to Pittsburgh to cover the Penguins.
Source: PittsburghPenguins.com
Mears, 29, spent the last three seasons as the radio play-by-play voice for the New York Islanders. A native of Murrysville and a graduate of Franklin Regional High School, Mears grew up as a Penguins fan, idolizing Mario Lemieux and Mike Lange.
College Hockey added to NHL’s Winter Classic
August 13, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under College Hockey, NHL
The Boston Herald is reporting that the NHL will be making this year’s Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, a Triple-Header. College Hockey will yet again see the outdoor game, as the heated rivalry of the Men’s Hockey Teams Boston College and Boston University will face off, as well as the Women’s Hockey teams of Northeastern and New Hampshire.
When the NHL chose Fenway Park [map] for their next edition of the Winter Classic, speculation immediately began about a college hockey edition pitting archrivals Boston College and Boston University. Sources have informed the Herald that a deal is in place for the Terriers and Eagles to face off at Fenway on Jan. 8 – one week after the Bruins [team stats] play the Philadelphia Flyers.
The official announcement for the BC-BU outdoor encounter is expected a week from today, involving officials from both schools, Hockey East and the Fenway Sports Group. It is expected to be announced as a doubleheader, with the women’s teams from Northeastern and the University of New Hampshire kicking things off, followed by BC-BU with an 8 p.m. start time.
Roenick hangs ‘em up after 20 years
August 6, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
Bravo for Jeremy’s 20 year career in the NHL. It’s impressive to hear someone say they have been working with the same company for 35-40 years, but for a professional athlete to reach a 20+ year milestone after all the physical wear and tare done to their bodies, that’s incredible.
For a hockey player to do it, is just insane. What’s special about Roenick’s career is that he didn’t dwindle down to the point of being a scratched 4th line player in the final 5 years of his career. Sure injuries became a problem for him as he got older, but he always managed to find an impact.
There are some pretty good articles floating around right now about his career, highlighting some highs and lows, my favorite by far is Puck Daddy’s “Top 10 pop culture moments in Jeremy Roenick’s career.” From his starring roles on television to his video game dominance in Sega Sport’s NHL 94, he has certainly made the most of his time on this earth.
Local Pittsburgher, Steve Mears, let go from the Islanders
July 25, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
In reading the Yahoo! Puck Daddy blog this evening, I found out that local Pittsburgh product, Steve Mears, who has served as the MSG New York Islanders Play-by-Play broadcaster for the past three seasons, found himself out in New York, as the Islanders have cut their radio crew, in a deal with MSG to simulcast the Television Play-by-play and color voices over radio next year, in an effort to cut costs.
Mears, who is from Peter’s Township and 29 years old, has been pointed as an up-and-coming Hockey personality, who has gained the respect of his fellow media members, in his short stint with the Islanders.
Penguins sign deal with Mitsubishi for new scoreboard
July 21, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
The Post Gazette has reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins have purchased their new High Definition scoreboard for the new Consol Energy Center. The new scoreboard will offer a “life-sized” picture for the attending fans at the new arena, as well as adding a much larger impact from the videos that are presented on the scoreboard.
The Sports & Exhibition Authority today approved a $8.37 million contract for the scoreboard system at the city’s new arena.
The payment to Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. will cover the center ice scoreboard, ribbon scoreboards around the interior of the arena, game clocks, signal lights, air horn and ticket window displays for Consol Energy Center. The scoreboard will have capabilities for hockey and basketball.
The board also approved a $3.7 million contract with DSI Video Systems/Diversified Systems for the arena’s video control room.
Read more: Post Gazette.com
The dimension of the center ice scoreboard will measure to the exact same size as the current scoreboard that is in the Washington Captials Verizon Center (above picture).
Here is more information on the board at Verizon Center (from verizoncenter.com)
Debuting during the 2007-2008 season, the brand new high-definition LED scoreboard is the first true indoor high-definition scoreboard of its kind for arenas. The center hung scoreboard exclusively features the Diamond Vision LED Fascia, corner stat displays and video boards driven by ANC Sports’ patent pending VisionSOFT operating system. Sitting at 14 feet 5 inches high x 25 feet 2 inches wide, the new scoreboard provides the highest clarity of all the action, including video playback, and exhibits over 68 billion colors. The scoreboard features four 6mm video screens, four 10mm LED video matrixes measuring 5ft x 25ft, and two 20mm LED rings. Over a 1,000 feet of linear LED boards encompass the upper bowl of the arena, as well as 400 feet of LED boards surrounding the lower bowl of the arena with full motion signage. Four additional LED displays highlight the top corners of the arena offering animation, 3D graphics and advertisements.
Pens prospect camp; Schooley to attend, along with Longpre and Urban
July 14, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
Robert Morris will be well represented in the upcoming prospect camp being held by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Head Coach Derek Schooley has been invited to participate as an instructor, and current Colonials Nathan Longpre and Denny Urban will be actively participating in the camp.
The Pens Prospect camp go from July 20th through the 26th (the RMU Hockey Camp begins next week as well).
Great Article on The Hockey News
January 26, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
Ken Campbell has a great article concerning the NHL’s US National Television spot, current and future. My biggest shock, is that the NBC has not had to pay the NHL to broadcast the games.
Looks like the US NHL market should see a nice shakedown in the coming months.
Here is the article: THN
