Gary Bettman and the NHL Confirm Announcement: Broadcasts Will Continue in American Sign Language
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the league will continue broadcasting games in American Sign Language.
The NHL is looking at ways to make the game more inclusive for viewers and Gary Bettman just made a big step in the right direction.
Earlier today, the League revealed that some games will be offered in the American Sign Language, starting with the upcoming Winter Classic game between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks on December 31st.
Viewers in Canada and the United States will be able to watch games with ASL commentators, in what will be called "The NHL in AHL".
This won't be the first time the NHL gets covered in ASL.
Before this, CBC aired the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers with live ASL comments:
Steve Mayer, President of NHL Content and Events, made the following declaration:
This is an NHL-led production for the Deaf by the Deaf, and we encourage all fans watching at home to tune in to experience this special telecast.»
The NHL's senior executive VP of social impact, growth initiatives, and legislative affairs Kim Davis also released a statement:
That makes the game truly meaningful for them. It is not like you're re-interpreting for them basically from another language. They are hearing the game live in their own language and the way in which they understand it best."
Hopefully, Gary Bettman and the NHL will continue to find ways of making the game more inclusive after this great initiative.
| POLL | ||
DÉCEMBRE 12 | 116 ANSWERS Gary Bettman and the NHL Confirm Announcement: Broadcasts Will Continue in American Sign Language Will you watch the Winter Classic game between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks on December 31st? | ||
| Yes | 46 | 39.7 % |
| No | 70 | 60.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Matthew Coronato | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Alexander Ovechkin | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Brandon Montour | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mark Scheifele | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Dylan Strome | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Elias Lindholm | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Connor McMichael | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Josh Norris | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marco Rossi | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jake Sanderson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Juha Jaaska | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Connor Bedard | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kyle Connor | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Capitals | 50 | 34 | 11 | 5 | 73 | |
Jets | 52 | 35 | 14 | 3 | 73 | |
Oilers | 50 | 32 | 15 | 3 | 67 | |
Golden Knights | 51 | 31 | 15 | 5 | 67 | |
Hurricanes | 51 | 31 | 16 | 4 | 66 | |
Stars | 50 | 32 | 17 | 1 | 65 | |
Wild | 51 | 30 | 17 | 4 | 64 | |
Devils | 53 | 29 | 18 | 6 | 64 | |
Panthers | 52 | 30 | 19 | 3 | 63 | |
Maple Leafs | 51 | 30 | 19 | 2 | 62 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||