The NHL partnered with Disney to create a live animated NHL game

Tuesday, the Washington Capitals faced the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden as well as the Big City arena.

The creators of Disney Channel’s hit show Big City Greens partnered with the NHL to create a hockey experience like no other. Through the use of tracking technology on the players and the puck, the NHL was able to create the first ever live animated game.

Characters from the show took to the ice in place of a few of the Capitals and Rangers players. Cricket Green played in place of the Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck and Tilly Green played in place of the Capitals’ Evgeny Kuzentsov. The goaltenders were also replaced by Big City Greens characters with Grandma Alice filling in for the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin, and Bill Gates for the Capitals’ Darcy Keumper. 

ESPN announcers Drew Carter and Kevin Weekes were the announcers at the Big City arena. Throughout the game they interacted with the different characters of Big City Greens, often pausing to explain some of the rules of hockey to Cricket Green. The real-time explanation of certain calls and rules allowed first-time watchers to fully understand and enjoy the game. Furthermore, phone calls from varying Big City Greens characters and plot developments, such as the zoo animals escaping to watch the game, created a more child friendly experience.

Chris and Shane Houghton, creators of Big City Greens, are hockey fans and their show is popular amongst the younger Disney audience. This makes them an opportune outlet for the NHL to be more innovative and generate greater interest in hockey. 

The animated hockey game received positive reviews on Twitter. The Big City Green Classic could potentially change the way families and younger audiences watch and enjoy hockey.