NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE LIVE COVERAGE OF 2015 NHL DRAFT FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

2015 NHL Draft Coverage Begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Pre-Draft Special on NBCSN

Liam McHugh and Kathryn Tappen Host Coverage, Alongside Analysts and Insiders Pierre McGuire, Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger and Craig Button

2015 NHL Awards - Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. - June 22, 2015 - NBC Sports Group will provide its most comprehensive NHL Draft coverage ever this Friday, June 26, with an exclusive presentation of the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft on NBCSN at 7 p.m. ET from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. Coverage begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET with a 30-minute NHL Draft Pre-Draft Special on NBCSN. In addition, NBCSN will also provide live coverage of the 2015 NHL Awards this Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports Live Extra - NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets and connected TVs - will provide streaming coverage of the 2015 NHL Awards and 2015 NHL Draft.

2015 NHL DRAFT - FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Canadian Connor McDavid and American Jack Eichel, projected to be selected with the first and second overall picks, headline what is widely regarded as one of the most highly-anticipated NHL Draft classes in recent history. The Edmonton Oilers hold the first overall selection for the fourth time in the past six drafts, followed by the Buffalo Sabres, who have four picks in the first two rounds. The Arizona Coyotes (third), Toronto Maple Leafs (fourth) and Carolina Hurricanes (fifth) round out the Top 5 picks.

McDavid recorded 120 points (44g/76a) this year for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, was named OHL Player of the Year, and led the OHL in playoff scoring with 49 points in just 20 games. Eichel led all NCAA Division I skaters with 67 points (24g/43a) in just 38 games in his freshman year at Boston University, and won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top men's ice hockey player.

Liam McHugh will host coverage alongside Emmy Award-winning analyst Pierre McGuire, NHL insider Bob McKenzie and draft analyst Craig Button. In addition, Kathryn Tappen will anchor coverage from the floor of the BB&T Center, conducting interviews with players, coaches and general managers. Darren Dreger will handle reporting duties, providing information on potential trades and developing storylines.

Coverage will feature interviews and features with all of the top 2015 NHL Draft prospects, including McDavid and Eichel, as well as video, interviews and highlights from the 2015 NHL Draft Combine held last month in Buffalo, N.Y.

2015 NHL AWARDS - WEDNESDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NBCSN presents coverage of the 2015 NHL Awards on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Garden Arena at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev., hosted by actor and comedian Rob Riggle. Awards that will be announced on Wednesday night include the winners of Hart Trophy (most valuable player), Calder Trophy (top rookie), Vezina Trophy (top goaltender), and Norris Trophy (top defenseman).

Click here for more information on the 2015 NHL Awards, including a full list of award finalists: http://www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/awards/2015

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA COVERAGE

NBC Sports Live Extra - NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets and connected TVs - will provide streaming coverage of the 2015 NHL Awards and 2015 NHL Draft via "TV Everywhere," giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store and Apple TV.