Gretzky interview series set for multiplatform debut

LAS VEGAS -- The National Hockey League (NHL®) today debuted "The Great One on One," a multiplatform video series featuring NHL legend Wayne Gretzky in conversation with a number of Hollywood stars and notable hockey fans. The League will preview the series during the 2018 Stanley Cup® Final, with the first three episodes featuring Jon Hamm("Mad Men," "The Town," "Baby Driver"), Taylor Kitsch("Waco," "Friday Night Lights," "X-Men Origins: Wolverine") and David Boreanaz("SEAL Team," "Bones," "Angel").The series will return with more episodes in the fall.
"The Great One-on-One" features intimate conversations between some of the sport's biggest fans and the game's greatest player. Gretzky will explore the stars' NHL fandom and the role the game plays in their lives, while the celebrities have the unique opportunity to ask The Great One questions about their favorite sport.

The first three episodes of the series will stream during the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, with Gretzky's conversation with Boreanaz debuting today, followed by Hamm on Thursday, May 31, and Kitsch on Sunday, June 3. Episodes will be available at NHL.com, YouTube.com/NHL and across the NHL's social media channels. Viewers can expect additional episodes to be released in the fall to coincide with the start of the 2018-19 NHL season.

"Watching Wayne, Jon, Taylor and David talk hockey is so much fun to see. These are true passionate fans!" said NHL Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President Steve Mayer. "'Not only is Wayne Gretzky one of the most talented players of all time, he also has a great personality. I think our fans will enjoy these conversations and they'll see that all three stars are just as enamored with Wayne as hockey fans are."
"I love to meet fans who have passion for the game," Gretzky added. "Jon, Taylor and David are longtime hockey fans that know so much about this great game. This is a fun opportunity to learn about the stories of their fandom and the role the sport plays in the lives of some of Hollywood's biggest stars."

2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Content Strategy

"The Great One on One" is part of the NHL's continued focus on creating compelling content that engages fans both casual and avid throughout the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. On the first night of the playoffs, the League debuted "Hockey 101 with Snoop Dogg," the wildly popular series that features the rapper explaining the rules and traditions of hockey with the flair and charisma that only Snoop Dogg can bring. To date, the series has been streamed 50 million times on
YouTube.com/NHL
and across the NHL's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram platforms.
The critically-acclaimed docuseries, Quest For The Stanley Cup™, is currently streaming exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ and in Canada on YouTube.com/NHL. The seven-episode, behind-the-scenes show goes on the ice, in the locker rooms, inside the minds of the players and coaches, and everywhere in between to give viewers an all-access pass during the high-stakes Stanley Cup® Playoffs and the pursuit of the Stanley Cup® Championship - the hardest trophy to win in professional sports.
The NHL partnered with Hulu for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and 2018 Stanley Cup Final. A key component of the comprehensive partnership is original content, notably player video vignettes that showcase NHL stars and help drive awareness for Hulu as a streaming option for the playoffs. The vignettes are part of a national marketing campaign for Hulu across all League touchpoints, including NBC Sports and the NHL's digital and social channels.
As part of their presenting sponsorship of the Stanley Cup Final, Hulu enlisted Gretzky to star in a 15-second opening tease for NBC Sports' coverage of each game. The spot will be used throughout the Stanley Cup Final.
Hulu, the NHL, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and The Players' Tribune have teamed up to create a special NHL player roundtable series for the 2018 Stanley Cup Final airing across their respective sites and social media platforms. Trevor Daley of the Detroit Red Wings, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames, Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks and James van Riemsdyk of the Toronto Maple Leafs join NHL Network™ analyst Kevin Weekes to talk all things Stanley Cup Playoffs, and what it takes to survive in the postseason. The seven episodes will be featured throughout the Stanley Cup Final. Click
here
to see the first installment of the series.
The NHL's content strategy for the Stanley Cup Playoffs also includes the use of music, both via live performances and in-game broadcasts. The playoffs have featured music from 11 artists, including Grammy-nominated and Las Vegas-born band, Panic! At The Disco's, newest track, "

," from their highly anticipated sixth studio album, Pray For The Wicked,and acclaimed Alt-rock chart toppers Arkells'latest single,

two songs that will share the stage for the Stanley Cup Final.
The League celebrated Opening Night of the Playoffs with a free concert featuring Grammy-nominated musical artist Logic in Las Vegas. The festivities will continue in the Stanley Cup Final, with musical performances set for each game. GRAMMY Award-winning artist Lil Jon
performed
before Game 1 on the Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena.

NBC Sports is providing exclusive coverage of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final in the U.S. for the 13th consecutive year. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app -- NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs -- will provide streaming coverage of all 2018 Stanley Cup Final games.
In Canada, CBC, Sportsnet and TVA Sports will broadcast the entire series. All games also will be carried by NBC Sports Radio and SiriusXM Radio. NHL Network will air live programming on-site in Las Vegas and Washington, and NHL.com will continue to provide extensive digital coverage.