NORTH American Sports Network, the cable and satellite channel, has completed an exclusive deal with the Elite Ice Hockey League to show UK game highlights.

John Lee, the European and UK Commercial Director for NASN, said: "I am delighted that a weekly roundup magazine programme, featuring a highlight game from the Elite Ice Hockey League, will be viewed on NASN throughout the UK and also in our developing European Network. I am confident there will be great interest in the programme and am certain it will be a great success for all involved."

The programme will initially be broadcast on Friday evenings at 7pm starting on October 21, with the first show featuring highlights from one of the biggest rivalries in the league, the previous weekend's clash between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers.

Mr Lee said that all Elite League club venues will be included in the programme during the course of the season and a full game schedule will be published in the near future.

The fifty-minute programme will also contain interviews with coaches, players, a UK-wide results summary and comments from supporters.

EIHL Chairman Eamon Convery said: "This is a show that should not be missed by any ice hockey fan in the UK and I am thrilled that the Elite League, using the services of Inspiring Too Production Team, has been able to produce a quality programme for the public. Our partners NASN and Planet Ice have been very constructive in ensuring delivery of this new initiative.

"It is the first televised magazine programme for the league and it presented by a new face to the screen, Zoe Chance. I am convinced that with Zoe's wealth of knowledge about ice hockey and her dynamic personality the programme will become a must to watch."