The Tragically Hip to headline free concert presented by SiriusXM at 2014 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off

TORONTO / NEW YORK -- Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip, will headline the 2014 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off™, the National Hockey League's free hockey and music festival to celebrate the start of the 2014-15 season, at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The Tragically Hip (@thehipdotcom) will perform a 45-minute performance set as part of the free concert, presented by SiriusXM Canada, at Yonge-Dundas Square prior to the 7:00 p.m. Toronto Maple Leafs®-Montreal Canadiens® game. Portions of the band's set will be featured in Sportsnet's live national broadcast of the game. Critically acclaimed for more than two decades, The Tragically Hip has been at the heart of the Canadian musical zeitgeist for evoking a strong emotional connection between their music and their fans that remains unrivalled in this country. A five-piece group of friends including Robby Baker (guitar), Gordon Downie (vocals, guitar), Johnny Fay (drums), Paul Langlois (guitar) and Gord Sinclair (bass), who grew up in Kingston, Ontario, The Hip has achieved the enviable status of a band that enjoys both mass popularity with more than 8 million albums sold worldwide, as well as peer recognition through 14 Juno Awards from more than a dozen recordings. Their studio catalogue includes their self-titled debut album "The Tragically Hip" (1987), "Up To Here" (1989), "Road Apples" (1991), "Fully Completely" (1992), "Day For Night" (1994), "Trouble At The Henhouse" (1996), "Phantom Power" (1998), "Music @ Work" (2000), "In Violet Light" (2002), "In Between Evolution" (2004), "World Container" (2006), "We Are The Same" (2009) and "Now For Plan A" (2012).

Fans are invited to join the NHL® and its partners beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET., rain or shine, for prizes and giveaways; NHL Alumni™ and special guest appearances; merchandise available for purchase; and sponsored hockey activities. The day's festivities will continue into the evening when fans are invited to watch the Canadiens renew their Original Six™ rivalry with the Maple Leafs on giant outdoor video screens. The 2014 Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off will be produced by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, one of the top sports and entertainment companies in the world.

Across the League, the opening night's four-game slate will feature teams from coast-to-coast. In Canada, fans can tune in to Sportsnet's doubleheader featuring the Canadiens at Maple Leafs (7:00 p.m. ET) followed by Canucks at Flames (10:00 p.m. ET). In Quebec, TVA Sports' NHL coverage will debut with their French-language broadcast of Canadiens at Maple Leafs followed by a French-language broadcast of Canucks at Flames. In the U.S., NBCSN will also feature a doubleheader starting with Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins (7:30 p.m. ET) for the network's inaugural 2014-15 season Wednesday Night Rivalry, followed by San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (10:00 p.m. ET). The evening will be highlighted by the raising of the Kings' second championship banner in the past three seasons before facing their division rivals the Sharks.

For the latest news on the event and musical performers, fans should follow the NHL on Twitter (@NHL) and Instagram (Instagram.com/NHL) and use the official hashtag #NHLFaceOff to join the conversation.