Clement, who heads the studio portion of NHL broadcasts on the Outdoor Life Network, will take on similar chores for NBC's national coverage. The former Flyer will be working with another ex-NHL player, Ray Ferraro.

Clement has been serving as a hockey analyst for some 20 years, some of it in Philadelphia. From 1988-92 he was the analyst for Flyers games on PRISM and a playoff analyst during the Stanley Cup finals for SportsChannel America.

At the international level, he has served as studio hockey analyst for CNBC's live coverage of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games and in a similar capacity at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. He also will be in the NBC studio for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games at Turin, Italy.

"It's a terrific opportunity," Clement said. "It's a whole different set of skills, but it keeps me in the center of the sport. The game is so good now, the speed, the shootouts, the highlights. I do miss the smell of the live games, the popcorn, the unique ambience, but this is a great chance for me."

Lynam enjoys motherhood

Motherhood is a new ballgame for veteran Sixers sideline reporter and rookie parent Dei Lynam, who gave birth to son, Max Riviere, in November.

"I like it far more than I thought I would," said Lynam, 39, who has worked in television since graduating from UCLA in 1989.

Despite being on "mommy time," she's managed to watch every Sixers game on television. She'll return to Sixers games later this month and to full-time duties on Comcast SportsNet in March. Husband Tim Riviere, who works in sales for 6ABC, will "guard" Max while Dei is back on the sidelines.

It's a boy!

Meanwhile, Tom McGinnis, radio announcer for the Sixers and wife, Robin Rieger of CBS3, became parents for the second time. Rieger gave birth to a boy, Luke Thomas, on Dec. 31. He joins big sister, Kenna Margaret, 2 1/2.

Former Sixers announcer Jon Gurevitch, who is now an executive for CN8, filled in for a game for McGinnis.

Whoa, Keith!

ABC announcer Keith Jackson fumbled a few times during the USC-Texas game Wednesday night.

Jackson seemed flustered on the Texas touchdown that put the Longhorns ahead, 9-7. He pronounced the Texas extra point good when it was no good, then going into commercial he said that the touchdown "wouldn't hurt USC."

Another time he wondered if USC head coach Pete Carroll was talking to backup quarterback John David Booty on the sideline to possibly replace Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. (Say what?)

Keeping up with Jones

Although the Eagles are out of the playoffs, linebacker Dhani Jones will participate in the postseason as a player reporter for the NFL Network for the Jacksonville-New England playoff game Saturday.

Here's the Jones box score for the week: 2-0-0-1. That means he had two tackles, zero assists, zero sacks, but probably more importantly to him, one television job. (And yes, I'm still bitter about the way he ruined Patti LaBelle's performance during Live 8).

Jones is also the player reporter for 6ABC. He follows ex-Eagles Nate Wayne and Freddie Mitchell in that role. Do I sense a pattern?

Channel flipping

The second edition of the new Phillies show "Behind the Pinstripes" hosted by Scott Palmer airs on UPN 57 ("So Philly, So You!") at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. ... Congratulations to late Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart and Comcast SportsNet and WIP analyst Ray Didinger who were named to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies are in April.

Courier Times sports writer Wayne Fish contributed to this story.