All Articles

Hockey Night in Canada on APTN Expands: In Plains Cree for a Third Season and Now Also in Inuktitut!

Jan 6, 2025

TREATY 1 TERRITORY, WINNIPEG, Man., Jan. 6, 2025 — APTN and Sportsnet are proud to team up once again to bring NHL hockey back to APTN and now to APTN Languages, expanding the reach of this groundbreaking initiative that celebrates language revitalization and connects fans coast to coast to coast with the game they love. This season, viewers can once again experience Hockey Night in Canada in Cree, with play-by-play commentary from the iconic Clarence Iron, joined by analysts Earl Wood, John Chabot and Jason Chamakese, whose expert insights and lively banter make every game unforgettable. And, for the first time ever, APTN will also broadcast three games in Inuktitut. Hosted by Pujjuut Kusugak and David Ningeongan, Hockey Night in Canada in Inuktitut is extending the excitement to even more communities in a meaningful way.

Here is this season’s game lineup:

  • Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Plains Cree: Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames, 7 p.m. ET for Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
  • Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Plains Cree: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Plains Cree: Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Inuktitut: Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars, 10 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Inuktitut: Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Inuktitut: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET

“This season of Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut marks an exciting step forward in enhancing Indigenous language content in partnership with Sportsnet,” said Mike Omelus, APTN Executive Director of Content and Strategy. “Expanding the broadcast to include both Plains Cree and Inuktitut showcases our commitment to fostering language revitalization and connecting communities through the power of sport. With the launch of APTN Languages, we’re proud to continue breaking new ground by bringing meaningful content to audiences across the country.”

For more information, please visit the Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut show page.

About APTN
APTN launched in 1999 as the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world. Since then, the network has become a global leader in programming that celebrates the rich diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and beyond. A respected charitable broadcaster, APTN shares authentic stories to Canadian households through basic channel packages via two distinct HD channels: APTN (English and French language programming) and APTN Languages (Indigenous language programming). APTN proudly features over 80% Canadian content and inspires audiences via multiple platforms, including its Indigenous-focused streaming service, APTN lumi.

Media Contact:
Joëlle Saltel
Manager of Communications, APTN
(431) 557-9909
jsaltel@aptn.ca