CBS Sports Net Will No Longer Showcase NCHC Hockey Games; Positive or a Negative?

 

For the first time since the NCHC was formed in 2013, it will not have games on CBS. The league says every game in an NCHC building will be on https://t.co/fPAbe0ZsGL this season... and it might free up Alex Heinert to do more UND in second half. Story: https://t.co/A7FkNqNRyo

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) August 21, 2025

It was announced last August that the NCHC would not renew a deal with the network ahead of the 2025-26 season. Upon reviewing this announcement, it's neither positive nor negative. Yes, it's not ideal that there won't be any NCHC hockey games on the network anymore. 

However, looking at it from a fan's perspective, they really didn't have that many games on anyway. Each NCHC team had at a minimum one game on the network and at most three games. 

Negative: It sucks that we won't have Alex Heinert doing play-by-play and Dave Starman as analyst. Let's not forget that Shireen Saski did a great job as a rinkside reporter. Someone could bring them in for a few games. 

Positive: Looking at it from a UND hockey fan's perspective, that's a win; Heinert should be back in the booth for most, if not all, of UND's hockey games. Winning! 

Positive: In speaking with fans and reading some of the comments, it's clear that many people don't have access to CBSSN. I took it for granted because it's included in my DirecTV stream package. I've had CBSSN since I switched from cable to DirecTV.  Having all of the games on NCHC.TV fans will be able to watch all their favorite teams' games on the streaming service if they have a subscription. 

Negative for some: In the past, I've been critical of the NCHC.TV. Primarily, because there are a few schools with poor broadcasts. The quality is not very good, making it difficult to watch those games. 

Positive: For UND fans, Midco Sports does a good job of producing UND hockey games and UND sports in general. They've set the bar very high for the rest of the NCHC. 

Eventually, I'd like to see Midco Sports take over the production of the NCHC.TV, like they did with the CCHA's streaming service. 

Is it hockey season yet?