In November 2013, Rogers reached a 12-year deal to become the exclusive national television and digital rightsholder for the NHL in Canada, beating out broadcasters CBC Sports and TSN for the rights.

Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey debuted on October 8, 2014, with a doubleheader of the Montreal Canadiens at the Toronto Maple Leafs, then followed by the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks.

[1] On May 28, 2014, Rogers announced a six-year sponsorship deal with Scotiabank, which saw the bank become the title sponsor for Wednesday Night Hockey which had previously aired on TSN from 2002 to 2014.

[2] Sportsnet's coverage premiered on October 8, 2014, with an opening night doubleheader which featured the Montreal Canadiens vs the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed with the Calgary Flames against the Vancouver Canucks.

[9][10] Sportsnet's coverage also places an emphasis on new technology; referees can be equipped with helmet cams for first-person perspectives, and a Skycam was installed at Air Canada Centre for use in aerial shots.

[14] While primarily using existing Sportsnet talent, a number of CBC Sports personalities, including the lead play-by-play crew of Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson and, until 2016, Glenn Healy, veteran play-by-play man Bob Cole, rinkside reporter Scott Oake and studio analyst Elliotte Friedman,[15][16] joined Rogers to participate in Sportsnet's coverage and Hockey Night.

Greg Millen, who like Bartlett was also reassigned to national game duty, was replaced by Craig Simpson on the Maple Leafs' regional broadcasts.