With two countries and multiple broadcasters involved, the effort requires precise planning

ESPN jumps out of the gate for this year’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, with 16 first-round games over the first six days on ESPN and ESPN2 beginning on Sunday. That means plenty of planning and cooperation by ESPN’s operations team — both within the company and with other broadcasters.

ESPN’s NHL studio show, The Point, will air regularly as a lead-in to games throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Steve Levy, Mark Messier, and PK Subban — shown here prior to the season opener — will be among the rotating on-air talent featured. (Photo: Al Powers/ESPN Images)

“Round 1 of NHL Playoffs is always a time of meticulous planning and cooperation,” says Brock Wetherbee, remote productions operations specialist, ESPN. “This round is a full market share — or side-by-side — for all invested broadcasters. Not only are we working across teams internally to line up execution models with dates and game series, but we’re also having simultaneous collaboration calls with the other local and international rightsholders on logistics and equipment shares.”

First Round Madness: All About Cooperation — Both Within and Without

Depending on matchups, as many as four broadcasters may cover a single game of any seven-game series, and all parties must be aware of each other’s trucks, camera positions, and production priorities.

Several dedicated REMI production-control rooms in Bristol will serve as home to ESPN’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round productions. (credit: Jaime Ramirez)

ESPN will deploy a mix of three main models during Round 1: REMCO, REMI, and EWF (enhanced world feed, which will be used for games played in Canada). ESPN’s remote-production and REMI Operations teams work hand in hand to ensure that the onsite facilities are fully in sync with the REMI production teams in Bristol.

“I would be remiss if I did not mention the amount of communication and planning that has helped every aspect of our production,” says Jaime Ramirez, technical operations manager, REMI Operations, ESPN. “Working on an almost daily basis with our onsite operations team as well as our partners in Toronto has been outstanding. I have all the confidence in the world that, when the puck drops, this team can handle whatever may be on the horizon. It is very evident that our goal is a shared goal to deliver the best product we can to our NHL fans.

ESPN will roll a mix of NEP and Game Creek Video mobile units for its NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs productions. (Credit: Danny Chi)

Given the complications of regional play across North America and the cadence of the schedule, both NEP and Game Creek Video provide a cascading supply of trucks to meet the needs of ESPN and the other broadcast partners. NEP has made available EN2 A and B, Supershooter 6 A and B, Supershooter 63, and Supershooter 62; GCV has provided 79 A and B, Victory A and B, Larkspur, Justice, and Gemini.

ESPN has made a concerted effort to level-set the look and feel across all its NHL coverage, regardless of the production model being used. Although the bells and whistles may vary, The standard first-round complement will comprise five hard cameras, five handhelds, two robos, and four to six POV cams. In addition, ESPN will be sharing feeds with/from the other broadcasters, potentially doubling the camera count once the puck drops.

“It’s a collaborative effort from all to share and make the coverage feel as big as possible for all the entities,” says Wetherbee.

Aside from camera sharing, ESPN and local broadcasters also work closely together to reserve compound parking space for all the trucks and divide arena-supplied power connections and transmission equipment, along with other onsite resources/services.

Looking Ahead: Big Plans for Conference Finals

After the first round, ESPN will enhance its shows with each subsequent round, increasing the player iso cams, robos, and specialty cameras. Super-slo-mo in-net cams, RF skate cams, SkyCam, and virtual-graphics elements will be among the highlights.

ESPN’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage will culminate iin the Conference Finals. (Photo: Al Powers/ESPN Images)

Although ESPN won’t have the Stanley Cup Finals this year, its Conference Finals productions will be plenty massive, with upwards of 24 cams, seven super-slo-mos, and six POV cameras; a full audio submix suite; and upgraded microphone coverage around the ice.

“Playoffs are exciting by definition,” Ramirez notes. “Not only is the play on ice raised, but so too is our approach and execution amongst partners.

“The last-minute nature can add a bit of intrigue too,” he continues. “Last minute is the name of the game come playoff time. Sometimes we stage truck/equipment halfway between cities. Sometimes folks board planes and land in one city to find that team has won/lost and changed the landscape of [the production]. It’s all part of the adventure and excitement that is any playoff race.”

Looking Back: Another Regular Season in the Books

With the puck dropping on the playoffs on Sunday, it’s a perfect time for ESPN’s remote and REMI Operations teams to reflect on their fourth NHL regular-season campaign. With five technical-production models — mixing REMI and onsite workflows —– in the arsenal for NHL productions, ESPN Remote Production Operations Manager Paul Horrell believes ESPN has truly hit its stride: “The five technical-production models deployed throughout the season and the sheer volume of games speak to the level of efficiency, experience, and capabilities of the entire NHL operations team, both onsite and in Bristol. It’s a tremendous effort across the board to make it all happen.”

Wetherbee seconds that sentiment: “We all operate with a Team First attitude. With all the challenges, this year more than any, we’ve all stepped up and met the task at hand. If someone has touched the NHL property for ESPN, they’ve gone above and beyond their assumed duties. We wouldn’t be poised for such a great playoff run without each individual contributor [from the] Team NHL on ESPN/ABC.”

One of ESPN’s TDs operates a switcher remotely from Bristol for an NHL REMI show on Halloween. (credit: Jaime Ramirez)

Since regaining the NHL rights prior to the 2021-22 season, ESPN has relied more heavily on its REMI production team than, arguably, for any of its other major pro-sports properties. As a result, its REMI production workflows continue to be among the most advanced and reliable in the industry.

“It has been awesome to watch the team grow together over the last four years,” says Jenni Buonocore, senior technical director, REMI Operations, ESPN. “There have been numerous changes to the NHL REMI world, such as camera complements, equipment, and workflows. The team’s ability to work together and adapt throughout each season has been amazing to be a part of. I am looking forward to seeing everything come together again for another postseason.”

Adds Claudette Robinson, manager, REMI Operations, ESPN, “It’s incredibly exciting to be part of such a welcoming and technically sharp team. It’s clear that everyone here brings not only deep expertise but also a genuine passion for creating meaningful experiences for NHL fans around the world. REMI Operations is a team that values both innovation and impact, and I’m looking forward to how we continue to elevate the fan experience together.”

ESPN held a series of offseason training sessions in Bristol prior to the 2024-25 NHL campaign, including this replay-operator session hosted by ESPN’s Steve Peters (credit: Jamie Ramirez).

But, with the regular season in the rearview mirror, all eyes are on the playoffs, and the remote production and REMI ops teams are ready for the challenge.

“Our group cannot wait for playoffs to begin,” says Ramirez. “With all the exciting moments throughout the season, including 4 Nations Face-Off and our part in the Ovechkin coverage, the REMI department has been collaborating with each other all season as to how we can continue to improve our delivery. The off-season training and regular-season meetings that helped us grow our knowledge will be on full display throughout the playoffs. I cannot express how grateful I am for the team we have here and look forward to an amazing postseason.”

ESPN’s playoff presentation begins Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN when the Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils, followed by the Ottawa Senators against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Battle of Ontario at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, and closing out at 10 p.m. on ESPN with the Minnesota Wild taking on the Vegas Golden Knights.