On the Ice Again After 20 Years, ESPN Continues To Innovate for 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Mics on players, camera operators on skates, SupraCam help put the viewer in the rink By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - 2:12 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
For the first time in about two decades, ESPN is back on the ice for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, after a regular season filled with technical innovations and unique production elements, ESPN's operations and tech crews are primed to kick it up yet another notch during the march to the Stanley Cup Final.
We are thrilled to have brought back the NHL to ESPN this year and are looking forward to capping off this historic season with action-packed coverage of the playoffs, says Erin Orr, senior manager, NHL remote operations, ESPN. The through line for ESPN's first NHL season in over two decades has been a commitment to hockey fans everywhere. Each production brought viewers not just what they expected, but what they didn't even know they wanted.
Outstanding audio and technical expertise by ESPN's operations and tech crew made the unexpected possible, she continues, proving that the NHL and fans are back where they belong. The team has worked tirelessly throughout the year to get us to the playoffs. We are ready for the puck to drop.
Audio, Video Tech: A Whole New Way To Cover Hockey ESPN deployed a bevy of new technologies this year for its NHL coverage on both the audio and video side and will look to use them even more during its playoff run. Highlights include a mirrorless, shallow-depth-of-field, M VI-stabilized camera operated on skates; a SupraCam four-point flyover system; and mics embedded in player pads and both nets.
Audio was a priority in bringing fans onto the ice, with 5.1 surround sound used in new and sport-specific ways. The team installed a wireless three-mic array in each net to create a hyper-localized surround-sound environment at each crease, bringing an explosive dynamic to puck and stick action in both live broadcast and replays.
Fans were given the opportunity to experience what it would be like to skate alongside their favorite athletes, thanks to a mic-embedding system inside player pads. Additionally, players wore wireless lavalier mics and IFBs, enabling two-way interactions with reporters during warmups.
In terms of cameras, an operator on skates with a mirrorless, shallow-depth-of-field, M VI-stabilized camera provided close-up access to players throughout warmups, anthems, and stoppages. Meanwhile, the SupraCam four-point flyover system offered a dramatic aerial angle that was boosted further by virtual graphics on the camera with real-time tracking by Unreal Engine Technology.
Also new this year was real-time interaction between ESPN's onsite commentators and ex-referee Dave Jackson, facilitated through a newly built studio in the NHL Toronto replay room.
Honoring the [rights] deal and hockey fans all over the world, the operations and tech crew had a goal to bring the on-ice experience inside viewers' homes by capturing one of the world's highest-speed sports with clarity and precision, says ESPN Senior Operations Specialist Jeff Werner. Over the course of 100 games - 75 airing on ESPN+ and 25 across linear networks - the team executed their goal through an elevation of audio, camera coverage, and studio add-ons.
With 12 first-round games on ESPN and ESPN2 over the opening three days of the playoffs (which began Monday), ESPN has already deployed several next-gen production elements, and that number will increase as the playoffs progress.
The NHL on ESPN production models will grow as each round takes place, says ESPN Remote Operations Coordinator Carson Kenney. The goal is to build momentum to the Stanley Cup Final through a variety of technology enhancements.
First-Round Ops: Mixed EWF, REMI Pro, Onsite Production During the first round, ESPN will be deploying the Enhanced World Feed (EWF) model for games taking place in Canada and a mix of REMI Pro and full onsite truck-based productions for games in the U.S.
ESPN has a total of eight ops teams tackling 12 sites throughout the eight first-round series. In addition to the EWF shows in Canada, ESPN has four full onsite production sites and multiple REMCO (remote coordination) sites. NEP Group and Game Creek Video will provide all trucks throughout the playoffs, and ESPN and Turner have worked together with both facilities providers to devise a plan to cover potentially 56 first-round games with 12 mobile units.
Games taking place in Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton will be EWF productions in which ESPN will work closely with local RSNs and Canadian rightsholder Sportsnet.
ESPN is working hand in hand with the RSNs and Sportsnet to ensure the best broadcast for everyone, says Orr. Communication has been taking place daily with the league to help facilitate show specs, resources, and all onsite logistics.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Ops Team Reflects on the Return to the Ice With the first regular season in the rearview mirror and first Stanley Cup Final since 2004 on the horizon, Orr and her team are taking a moment to reflect on the NHL's grand return to ESPN.
The return of the NHL to ESPN has been a true team effort throughout the entire year through multiple functional groups within the company, says Orr. The team effort starts at 5:00 in the morning as ESPN's operations and tech crew is prepping for a night of NHL coverage. While setting up, a crew member may remember similar mornings from their youth-hockey days: an early-morning ice time, a parent digging the car out from last night's nor'easter, the Zamboni's glassy ice trail. No matter the time spent apart, hockey cannot be forgotten. ESPN hasn't forgotten.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
16/05/2026
Helps to deliver a clean, balanced midrange
Developed alongside Newfangled Audio, the latest plug-in in Eventide's software collection has been designed...
16/05/2026
Brings onboard stem rendering to RANE System One
Engine DJ have just released Engine DJ 5.0, a free update for their Engine DJ OS embedded hardware and Engi...
16/05/2026
Boris FX Continuum Pairs AI Precision and Advanced Creative Controls
Jessie Electa Petrov May 16, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic de...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation an...
15/05/2026
Dan Brumm has served as sound designer on Bluey, the Australian children's t...
15/05/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are accepting applications for the 6th annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Schola...
15/05/2026
Netflix has announced an expanded NFL schedule for 2026 and beyond under a four-year partnership extension with the NFL through the 2029-30 season. Each season,...
15/05/2026
Ateme is supporting TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) with a contribution and d...
15/05/2026
Concacaf has announced the launch of a new website and mobile app built on Deltatre's FORGE platform. Concacaf.com and the mobile app, available on iOS and ...
15/05/2026
Eutelsat has announced the launch of QBC Business Economic Channel by Qatar Media Corporation, broadcasting in 4K/UHD via Eutelsat's 7/8 West video neighbo...
15/05/2026
Major League Soccer has announced four original content series timed to the 2026...
15/05/2026
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) has announced it will exhibit and present at InfoComm 2026, taking place June 13-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Cente...
15/05/2026
InfoComm 2026 will take place June 13-19 (exhibits June 17-19) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show will include sessions and exhibits covering broadcas...
15/05/2026
Tracy McGrady's Ones Basketball League (OBL) and FuboTV Inc. have announced ...
15/05/2026
Disguise has partnered with Creative Technology (CT) to deliver visual playback ...
15/05/2026
Sony Electronics has announced two new products for professional imaging: the Alpha 7R VI full-frame mirrorless camera and the FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS super-te...
15/05/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
15/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
15/05/2026
For sports organizations, the most valuable assets are often the most sensitive:...
15/05/2026
The NFL's broadcast partners released their 2026 regular season schedules ye...
15/05/2026
When MMA icons Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano meet inside the Hexagon at Intuit Do...
15/05/2026
Daniel Roher attends the Tuner Premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Theatre on January 22, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Neilson Bar...
15/05/2026
Last night, the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico returned to the country's capital. Now in its second year, the evening honors creators whose voices are hel...
15/05/2026
Rebranded show announced
Ahead of their 2026 return, Music Expo have announced that they have now officially changed their name to the MONO Music Conference...
15/05/2026
Fuzz pedal joins UK companys line-up
UK-based pedal makers Buzzing Bugs Audio Devices have recently unveiled their latest creation, the Bolster. Said to pay...
15/05/2026
Joint Statement: News Bargaining Incentive
28 April, 2026
Media releases
The vibrancy of Australian democracy relies on the robust and open exchange of new...
15/05/2026
Call it Deltavision, Australia's through to the Grand Final of this year'...
15/05/2026
Join Calrec at MPTS 2026 | May 13-14 | Stand A40 | Olympia, London We're looking forward to meeting up with customers and partners at this year's Media ...
15/05/2026
86% of media planners would move more linear TV budget to CTV if they had show-level targeting and reporting - and 65% would also shift dollars from programmati...
15/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Clear-Com will showcase new communications solutions and major platform updates at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N7005), June 17-19, in the North and Central Halls of t...
15/05/2026
Following an outstanding inaugural year in 2025, Rise AV is proud to announce the return of its flagship leadership initiative, Elevate. The programme continues...
15/05/2026
Berklee Announces Lineup for Inaugural AI Music Summit The three-day event puts musicians at the center of the future of music creation, ethics, and the indus...
15/05/2026
Lightware returns to InfoComm 2026 with a focused showcase of scalable USB-C connectivity, next-generation AV-over-IP solutions, and technologies that help over...
15/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Delivering a live, arena-scale production of a massively popular band is no small feat. Between expansive in-arena LED walls and a global live stream fed to onl...
On the Ice Again After 20 Years, ESPN Continues To Innovate for 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Mics on players, camera operators on skates, SupraCam help put the viewer in the rink By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
