Live From NHL Stadium Series: ESPN’s Jeff Dufine on Producing Outdoor Hockey at the Horseshoe

For the first time in the city of Columbus, OH, the NHL will once again go outdoors for a regular season game at historic Ohio Stadium. One of the most famous cathedrals in college football, the venue has played host to National Championship-winning programs and some of the most-watched games in the sport, but never hockey at its highest level.

From ESPN’s perspective as the lead domestic broadcaster, the network will be at the reigns for a fun night in Central Ohio. We caught up with ESPN’s lead game producer Jeff Dufine to highlight the significance of broadcasting a NHL contest from within these hallowed walls, the production tools at their disposal, how he and his colleague at the front bench – lead game director Doug Holmes – focuses on the game in a stadium filled with so many activations, and how the many years of working at the four-letter network allows staffers to work together in harmony.

Visit sportsvideo.org throughout the weekend for continued coverage of the 2025 NHL Stadium Series from Columbus, OH.