Brian Boucher’s going national. The former Flyers goaltender, who has worked as an analyst for Comcast SportsNet since the 2014 playoffs, will join NBC Sports full-time in 2015-16 as both an in-studio analyst and an “Inside The Glass” reporter during NBC’s national telecasts.
Boosh is not replacing Pierre McGuire, but will be used in the same role on non-Pierre broadcasts.
We assume that he’ll be used in tandem with play-by-play man Kenny Albert, who will have a larger role on NBC broadcasts this year thanks to Dave Strader joining the Dallas Stars and stepping aside as No. 2 PBP voice behind Doc Emrick.
Other Inside The Glass reporters for NBC this year include familiar faces Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom and Ray Ferraro. Engblom is working locally on Tampa Bay Lightning broadcasts this year, so he’ll be seen less on NBC broadcasts than he has in the past.
As we reported last month, Boucher will also take on duties with the NHL Network this year. He won’t be with CSN. We’re told that he will still be with CSN a bit this year as well, so he’s going to be a busy guy.
Here’s a press release from NBC Sports:
Former NHL goaltender Brian Boucher joins NBC Sports Group this season as a full-time Inside-the-Glass and NHL Live studio analyst for the upcoming 2015-16 season. Boucher made his debut with NBCSN as an analyst during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Boucher split 13 NHL seasons with seven teams, playing the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, highlighted by 42 playoff games and two Stanley Cup Final games with the team. In addition to McGuire and Boucher, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom and Ray Ferraro will also serve as ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analysts throughout the season.
Veteran play-by-play commentator Kenny Albert will see an increased role with NBC Sports Group’s NHL coverage this season. Albert has previously served as a play-by-play commentator for NBC Sports Group during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In addition to Emrick and Albert, Gord Miller, John Forslund, Dave Strader and Chris Cuthbertwill also handle play-by-play duties for NHL games on NBCSN throughout the season.
NBC Sports Group’s NHL studio team returns for the 2015-16 season, with Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones. Studio coverage will also feature hosts Kathryn Tappen and Dave Briggs, as well as analysts Jeremy Roenick and Anson Carter. Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger return for their second seasons with NBC Sports Group, providing team reports and league news throughout the season.
