For ESPN producer Mark Schuman, the NHL Frozen Frenzy is more than just a production – it’s a night of high-octane, fast-paced hockey that’s as thrilling for ESPN’s production crew as it is for fans. Before the puck drops on the second Frozen Frenzy tonight, Schuman reflects on what makes it one of hockey’s most exciting nights.
When asked which of the 16 matchups he’s most excited about, Schuman doesn’t hesitate: “There are a lot of great games across the night, but I think Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils is the one to watch,” he says excitedly. “Both teams have started the season strong, and whenever you have players like Jack Hughes and Nikita Kucherov sharing the ice, you know it’s going to be special.”
Reflecting on last year’s debut of Frozen Frenzy, Schuman recalls thinking the biggest challenge would be the sheer length of time he and his team would be on air. “Going into it, I knew we’d be sitting for over five straight hours – that can feel pretty daunting,” he admits. But to his surprise, the energy of the night kept the team engaged. “The pace was so fast, and the whole concept was so new for hockey that the night completely flew by.”
This year, the production team is taking what they learned and fine-tuning it, with a particular focus on making the viewer experience more seamless. “We’ve worked on how we display multiple games at once – it should be easier to follow now,” he says.
The team’s biggest lesson from last year? Timing is everything. “Hockey is fast, and when you’re juggling multiple games it’s a challenge to pick the perfect moment to jump into the action,” Schuman says. “We learned that tuning into power plays often provides the most continuous action. Of course, anything can happen in hockey – there’s no red zone like in football – but focusing on power plays helped us capture some great moments.”
For those new to the NHL, Schuman believes Frozen Frenzy is the perfect introduction to the sport. “We act as your remote control, jumping to the most exciting parts of each game,” he explains. “You’ll see superstars like Ovechkin, Matthews, Bedard, McDavid – all in one night. It’s a crash course in the best hockey the NHL has to offer.”
This year’s Frozen Frenzy remains an intense, all-hands-on-deck production. “We’re not just producing Frozen Frenzy,” Schuman says. “We’ve got a tripleheader on ESPN, too, so it’s a massive effort. From The Point at 5 PM to six-plus hours of hockey content, it’s a long day – but it’s worth it to give fans the best possible experience.”
As for the future of Frozen Frenzy, Schuman is hopeful. “I’d love to see this become an annual tradition,” he says. “It’s such a unique way for fans to experience the game, and I’ve been lucky to be part of it for these first two years. Here’s hoping we can keep it going.”
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