The first NHL HD broadcast in the US--who knows about it? . . .

Probably the Rangers first home game in the 1998-99 season. MSG Network was the first to do HD. CBS actually borrowed the equipment from them to do their first NFL game in HD.
http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sto...ght_nav=normal

Can't help with the NHL, but if you need any historical information for the NFL I can provide that for you. Send me a PM if you need anything.

I don't what happened to Ken's post but the first NHL game on HDnet was Phoenix Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings on the 4th of October 2001.

Sorry for the hickup.

The first nationally available NHL HD game would have been on ABC. The 2000 All Star Game was in HD on 2/6/00. ABC had just completed the full 1999 season of MNF in HD, along with the first Super Bowl in HD on 1/30/2000. We can all thank Panasonic for that.

HDNet started the first regularly scheduled, nationally available NHL games in HD on 10/4/01.

You can find a lot by doing google searches.
"Cablevision's hi-def plan encompasses HDTV production on its MSG Network, program distribution over its cable infra-structure and retail display at The Wiz consumer electronics stores. Immediate HDTV programming plans include all New York Rangers and Knicks home games in the 1998-99 season on MSG"

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53190453.html

If it's truly the first HD broadcast you're interested in, not first national HD broadcast, then you should contact MSG Network.

The first HD game in Canada was the Heritage Classic on CBC, an outdoor game between Montreal @ Edmonton, 11/22/02.