NHL Original Productions to premiere 'NHL 36' with Blackhawks' Patrick Kane

NEW YORK – The National Hockey League (NHL®) and NHL Original Productions today announced the debut of the day-in-the-life series "NHL 36." Premiering Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. on VERSUS, the first installment of this unprecedented documentary series will train its cameras upon Chicago Blackhawks® forward Patrick Kane.

Providing the ultimate behind-the-scenes peek into the life of this NHL superstar, NHL 36 takes viewers into Kane's world for 36 straight hours as he lives the life of a not-so-average 23-year-old. Through an array of microphones and isolated cameras, the 30-minute documentary will offer unique insight into Kane's game on the ice. The show also will feature interviews with Kane's family.

"We are excited about the opportunity to create individual player portraits with unprecedented depth -- at home with family, out with friends and in the workplace," said Ross Greenburg, executive producer, NHL 36. "Wherever they go, whatever they do, our cameras are there, capturing what a day in the life is like for some of the biggest names in the NHL."

"NHL 36 is a great new series that is part of the high-quality storytelling and production values of NBC Sports," said Sam Flood, Executive Producer for NBC Sports and VERSUS. "It's an example of programming that dives deeper into the sport and its players, and one that viewers can expect to see more of from the new NBC Sports Network."

"This series provides an opportunity to showcase our players in a new and compelling way, revealing their personalities and parts of their daily routine not usually seen by fans," said John Collins, NHL chief operating officer. "There are no better storytellers than Ross Greenburg and the team at NBC Sports, so we know NHL 36 will appeal to a broad audience. The Patrick Kane episode is a great way to launch our new venture, NHL Original Productions."

Joining Greenburg in crafting NHL 36 are notable actor and Emmy-Award winning narrator Peter Coyote and accomplished composer Ferdinand J. Smith.

Immediately after the premiere of NHL 36, VERSUS will air NHL LIVE at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Kane and the Blackhawks traveling to Minnesota to take on the Wild (7:30 p.m. VERSUS/TSN). NHL 36: Patrick Kane will re-air on VERSUS on Dec. 29 at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 1 at 5:00 p.m. and on the newly rebranded NBC Sports Network on Jan. 6 at 9:00 a.m. It will also air in the United States and Canada on the NHL Network™ on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 4:00 p.m. and again on Dec.18 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

NHL 36: Patrick Kane is the first in a series of 10 episodes that will shadow NHL players for 36 consecutive hours. The next player to be featured and the air date will be announced at a later date.

NHL Original Productions is the latest collaboration between the NHL and renowned executive producer Ross Greenburg – an alliance that produced two critically-acclaimed programs on HBO: Broad Street Bullies and the Emmy Award-winning 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic®. Through the year, NHL Original Productions will develop long- and short-form hockey programming for use by the League's media platforms (NHL Network and NHL.com) as well as national and regional rights-holders.