NHL Tonight to Celebrate 5,000th Episode on Oct. 27

NHL Network's NHL Tonight will mark its 5,000th episode on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. ET. The milestone covers episodes since the show began broadcasting from NHL Network's Secaucus, N.J., studios in October 2015.

The four-hour special will be anchored by original members of the Secaucus-based team: Jamison Coyle, Tony Luftman, Mike Johnson, Mike Rupp, and Kevin Weekes. Along with the show's regular analysis and live game look-ins, it will revisit moments from its first 11 seasons in Secaucus and feature special guests.

Earlier that day, NHL Tonight: First Shift with E.J. Hradek and Michael Del Zotto airs at 4 p.m. ET, followed by NHL Now with Kathryn Tappen, Brian Boyle, and Nate Thompson at 5 p.m. ET. Both will pay tribute to the milestone.

NHL Tonight originates from The Rink, a redesigned 1,200-square-foot studio with 14-foot walls etched with the names of 10 Stanley Cup championship teams, 30-foot ceiling arches inspired by historic ice houses, and a 20-foot-wide LED display on the back wall. In 2016, the show won its first Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Post-Produced Graphic Design for its show open.

Reaching 5,000 episodes is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the passion, expertise and commitment of everyone who has brought NHL Tonight to life through the years, says David Proper, Chief Media Officer, NHL. As the game has evolved, so too has the way it is covered, and NHL Tonight has continued to provide fans with insightful analysis, compelling storytelling and an authentic connection to the game. We congratulate everyone who has helped make the program a cornerstone of NHL Network and look forward to the next chapter of its success.

From the first puck drop of NHL Tonight in Secaucus to now, we've had a front-row seat to the greatest players, games and moments this sport has to offer. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to tell those stories every night. This show is the best, and I'm grateful for every minute of it. I look forward to the next 5,000 shows, says Coyle.

I have been fortunate to spend a lot of time at NHL Network over the years and a lot of nights on NHL Tonight, which is always enjoyable. We get to have fun talking hockey on every show, but the best part has always been the people. Over time, the hosts, analysts, producers and crew have become friends, and coming down to NHL Network has always been a little bit like walking back into the locker room for me, says Johnson.

Everyone at NHL Network loves the game, and reaching 5,000 shows in Secaucus is a special milestone because of the way the program has been received. Over the years, every interaction I've had with viewers of NHL Tonight has been positive - fans, League executives, players and coaches all say the same thing: The game deserves to be covered the way you all cover it,' says Luftman.

I'm very honored to be part of our phenomenal group of people here at NHL Network and to play a small role in bringing the stories of a game I love to fans on NHL Tonight. Whether we're in the studio ripping around the league night after night or on site for the Stanley Cup Final, watching the most iconic trophy in sports be awarded, it's pretty special to be a part of it, says Rupp.

NHL Tonight captures the moments that define the game - debuts, first goals, career milestones, iconic plays and the pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Showcasing the most talented players on the planet for hockey fans around the world is both fun and thrilling. Our staff, on and off camera, love the game and love working together. Here's to the next 5,000. Let's go! says Weekes.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/10/22/nhl-tonight-to-celebrate-5000th...
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