Hockey fans celebrate New Year's Eve on VERSUS

VERSUS will drop the puck on 2010 with a 90-minute program on New Year's Eve. The NHL Winter Classic Eve Special on VERSUS, Presented by Bridgestone will begin at 11 p.m. ET and will be hosted by VERSUS' Hockey Central studio team of Bill Patrick, Keith Jones and Brian Engblom.

The trio will broadcast live from a remote studio atop Fenway Park, the location for the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.   

The NHL Winter Classic Eve Special, Presented By Bridgestone will provide viewers with a preview of the game, including predictions for the matchup and a behind-the-scenes look at how the historic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, was transformed from dirt and grass into a hockey rink.

The show also will include a look back at the 2009-10 NHL regular season to date, including the top games this season and will give a preview of the rest of the season to come. The special also will feature an in-depth look at what's in store for the potential U.S. and Canadian Olympic teams during the 2010 Winter Games. 

The Hockey Central crew also will name their top 10 choices for "Player of the Decade" and during the live telecast the top player will be announced and host Bill Patrick will sit down with the player for an exclusive interview. VERSUS reporter Bob Harwood  also will be on-site to provide practice day interviews from players and coaches to not only get their thoughts on the New Year's Day matchup, but to also find out what resolutions top their lists for 2010. 

The special also will feature performances from musical guests, including Aaron Neville, Funky Meters and Dr. John, who will be performing at the NHL's official Winter Classic New Year's Eve Party at the House of Blues. VERSUS reporter Charissa Thompson will be on-site at the House of Blues to serve as the remote host at the party as 2009 comes to an end and 2010 is ushered in. In addition to VERSUS joining the House of Blues countdown, the network will also ring in the New Year with an on-screen video countdown featuring all 30 NHL teams.