Stanley Cup ASL commentary
Alex (Daily Moth): This is cool — there will be two Deaf people providing live ASL commentary during the Stanley Cup final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. It will be broadcast on a separate stream on ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sportsnet+ in Canada. Who are the Deaf commentators?
Jason Altmann: I’m Jason Altmann. I’m the CEO for P-X-P. I will be one of the co-broadcasters.
Noah Blankenship: I’m Noah Blankenship. I’m one of the broadcasters.
Jason: We will provide live commentary using our knowledge, expertise and understanding of the game of hockey and its rules. So when you see us on the screen, it’s from us. It’s not coming from the hearing broadcasters. It is very ASL-centered. Deaf representation. All that. We’ll be at the NHL studio in New York City. We’ll be sitting in the studio.
Alex: Nice. Jason said there also will be deaf guests from the U.S. and Canada coming on the screen during intermissions.
The NHL said in a press release that this is a partnership between the NHL and P-X-P, an organization that was founded by Brice Christianson, a CODA. P-X-P provides ASL access to sports and has worked with an NBA team and the NHL commissioner in the past. Check out this promotional clip.
[Promotional clip from the NHL featuring P-X-P founder Brice Christianson about the ASL broadcast] CREDIT: NHL
Alex: The NHL said this “initiative demonstrates a commitment to innovation and inclusivity” and that it hopes to expand this kind of production “beyond the Stanley Cup Final and into our 2024-2025 season.”
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Alex: Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is Saturday, June 8. It is a best-of-seven series, so you’ve got to win four games to become champion. Here are Jason and Noah’s predictions.
Noah: The Florida Panthers are an aggressive forecheck team. That means they attack and will play behind the net to keep the puck in its offensive zone. They like to control the game. So I’m interested to see how the Oilers respond. Edmonton. I’m really curious how they will respond. Many are watching McDavid. #97. He is basically the face of the NHL. It’s his first time in the finals. So I’m excited to see how he will play and respond because I’m sure the Panthers will double-team him. So I’m excited to see that. How will the other forwards for the Oilers step up? Including the defense? I’m also excited to watch the Panthers’s power play. It’s fascinating to watch their unique style. I’m predicting the Panthers win in Game 5. That’s my prediction.
Jason: If you look at the Oilers and the Panthers’ rosters, the Oilers are really top-heavy. Their star players have carried the team. Florida is a deep team. The Oilers, during the playoffs, are a penalty-killing team. They’re incredible with blocking. The Dallas Stars were eliminated in the last series because the Oilers were penalty killers. I believe that Dallas had zero goals during their power play opportunities. McDavid is probably the best player in the NHL. It’s his first time in the Stanley Cup Final. Will he step up and carry the team? It should be interesting. I think this will be a fun series. I think it could go to Game 7. I think the Oilers will win in Game 7.
Alex: Thank you for your time, Jason and Noah. It should be an exciting series. If you want to watch the ASL commentary, you’ll need to have a subscription to ESPN+ or SportsNet+ in Canada.