CHL TV, WHL off and running

The Canadian Hockey League made it clear this weekend that they have very high expectations for CHL TV.

CHL TV hosted its first live hockey games on Friday night with two Western Hockey League contests. There were a few technical issues, most notably the ice in Red Deer looked brighter than the sun and the streams weren't working on the mobile app.

These are problems we've seen time and time again with junior hockey streams - but the CHL came out the next day and called the experience disappointing.

A message from CHL President Dan MacKenzie and WHL Commissioner Ron Robison pic.twitter.com/8SYoaJu6ar

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) February 27, 2021

Saturday's streams - what I watched of them, at least - seemed to go much more smoothly. I can't say I've watched too many WHL streams over the years but if what I saw this weekend is going to be rolled out across all 60 CHL markets, I'm pretty okay with that - especially knowing that the CHL is setting the bar high and even more improvements could be on the way.

Here’s a video of the new @CHLHockey streaming service CHL TV from an iOS device. @EdmOilKings @WHLHurricanes @TheWHL #QMJHL #LHJMQ #WHL #OHL #CHLTV pic.twitter.com/gqGjTdHH2L

— Denis Leblanc (@DenisL_1981) February 28, 2021

Making team home openers free to watch is something that hopefully continues down the road. The AHL has been making its opening weekend free to view for a number of years now and it's always received high praise from fans.

The WHL's Alberta clubs continue play next weekend (Friday's Calgary Hitmen game can be streamed for free). The Manitoba and Saskatchewan teams begin play on March 12 in the Regina hub.

🄷🄾🄲🄺🄴🅈 - 🄲🄾🄼🄸🄽🄶 🅂🄾🄾🄽#HubCity pic.twitter.com/hFwjki5x7B

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) February 28, 2021

A few other takeaways from the WHL's opening weekend:

• There was a certain level of irony in the fact that CHL TV's first ever broadcast featured a Telus logo on the score bug. QMJHL fans will remember the ol' Telus webcasts well.
• Like in the NHL, the glass behind the benches was removed. On ice officials were also wearing gator masks.
• The QMJHL seems to be the only league that's enforcing coaches to wear goggles when behind the bench.
• Huge shoutout to Lethbridge Hurricanes PA guy, who was making announcements like it was a Game 7 in a packed building. This doesn't surprise me as Lethbridge has one of the better game experiences in the CHL. #CaneTrain
• Edmonton outscored Lethbridge 14-3 this weekend.