A fight broke out at the Memorial Cup, but the on-ice camera operator stole the show. Here’s why the NHL should implement the close-up shots during stoppages of play.
A camera operator on skates and dressed in white follows Ruslan Gazizov during the London Knights and Moose Jaw Warriors game at the 2024 Memorial Cup.An old-fashioned major junior hockey fight broke out on Monday night at the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw, and the NHL should pay attention to how it went viral.
The tussle featured London Knights forward Max McCue, Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman Kalem Parker and another person.
As the gloves flung off the hands of the combatants, a TSN camera operator wearing skates, dressed in all white from head to toe, took to the ice to give the fans watching at home a new viewing experience of a hockey fight.
The cameraperson skated around the two fighters and provided a cinematic look at the fight from ice level. Whether or not you think fighting belongs in hockey, talk about bringing the battle straight into your living room.
Using an on-ice camera operator to get close-up shots of players during stoppages of play has been around for some time.
We usually see this production work at the world juniors and IIHF tournaments. Other European leagues, such as the Swedish League, have also introduced this level of camera work, adding a more immersive element.
The NHL should notice this on-ice camera work because it is simply awesome. Sending a cameraperson out on ice level with skates to get close-up shots of the players during stoppages of play is genius.
The league should always look for ways to increase the entertainment of their product. What’s more entertaining than the thought of having a camera doing circles around a center ice tilt between Matt Rempe and Ryan Reaves?
Fighting aside, fans love celebrations after a goal is scored. Imagine a camera following Connor McDavid as he drops to his knee after scoring a massive go-ahead goal in a playoff game. Fans want to see the raw emotion of players, and that can be accomplished in another way with crafty camera work like this.
The NFL and MLB produce similar camera work. There’s always a camera right in the face of NFL players after they score a touchdown, and fans get an up-close look at their unique celebrations. In baseball, after a home run is hit, a cameraperson will follow the player down the third-base line as they approach home plate.
Yes, it’s harder for the NHL to introduce this as it needs a camera operator who can skate well while holding a camera still enough. But TSN clearly has found that person, and it’s time for the NHL to follow suit.
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here.