FASTHockey Ices Deal with Orb to Broadcast Youth Hockey Games LIVE on the iPhone
iPhone Owners Worldwide Can Watch Thousands of Games LIVE
FASTHockey, the premier destination for LIVE and on-demand video streaming of amateur ice hockey, announced it has partnered with Orb Networks to broadcast on the iPhone the thousands of amateur hockey games currently seen online at FASTHockey.com. FASTHockey will use Orb’s proven Orb Live Events technology to broadcast games LIVE from the OneHockey International Tournament from June 24 to July 3, 2009. iPhone and iPod touch owners can simply download the FREE Live Events application from the Apple App Store, and watch LIVE action of their favorite youth hockey team, including teams from around the globe.
FASTHockey is the most comprehensive amateur hockey destination on the web and helps unite youth hockey around the world through community, connections, and content. FASTHockey streamed almost 4,000 games LIVE during the 2008/2009 season, making it the premier destination for players, parents, coaches and fans that love watching great hockey action online. The partnership with Orb extends this community – including LIVE broadcasts of thousands of games – to the iPhone.
“Hockey has a tremendous following worldwide, and the fans are super-passionate,” said Marc Ruskin, CEO of FASTHockey. “For the first time, hockey fans – and families and coaches – can watch games LIVE on the iPhone worldwide. We selected Orb and its Orb’s Live Events technology because it is proven and approved in the App Store, and because it was fast, easy and inexpensive to implement in a geographically distributed way. Next season we will have LIVE events being broadcast from hundreds of venues around the world.”
Orb was the first company to stream LIVE TV to the iPhone in May, 2008. The Live Events technology has been used to power live broadcasts of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend with Turner Sports and The Masters Golf Tournament on the iPhone.
“We are really at the tipping point for user-generated-content. Till now, the state of the art has been to upload static video clips to a website for all to see. While this is all well and good, the next frontier will be LIVE content, available on a worldwide basis, to anyone who has an internet connection,” said Joe Costello, CEO of Orb Networks. “FASTHockey is leading the pack in this regard. Using Orb Live Events, they are going to bring thousands of youth hockey games around the world to the iPhone.”
For more information on watching the more than 300 games on tap during the OneHockey International Tournament, please visit: http://www.fasthockey.com/information/events/fasthockey_and_orb_deliver_live_hockey_to_iPhone.php
LIVE coverage of the Tournament begins June 24.
Download the FREE Orb Live Events application now from the Apple App Store, and look for LIVE youth hockey games beginning June 24.
FASTHockey.com is the premier online network for ice hockey players, coaches and fans to organize their hockey lives while developing personal connections rooted in shared hockey interests. FASTHockey.com provides the online platform so that athletes and coaches can create player and team profiles, upload videos and photos, track and view statistics, check out opponents before games, and discover the best ice hockey players in the world.
Orb Networks is a leading provider of media access applications. Its OrbLive application was the first to stream LIVE TV to the iPhone and iPod touch, and the OrbLive application is available today in the Apple App Store for $9.99 (a Free Sampler version is also available). For more information about OrbLive on the iPhone or iPod touch, please visit: http://orb.com/en/orblive
Source: Orb Networks, Inc.
Easton Hockey Dominates NHL Postseason Scoring
Easton follows up record regular season with more postseason goals, points and game-winners than any other manufacturer
Easton Hockey, manufacturer of the No. 1 stick and glove in the NHL, contributed to more goals, points and game-winners than any other equipment manufacturer in the 2009 NHL postseason, including Bauer, Warrior and RBK for the fifth straight year.
A 2009 postseason-best 182 goals, 478 points and 38 game-winners were scored using Easton’s industry-leading composite stick technology. Seven of the top-15 goal scorers in the Stanley Cup playoffs used Easton hardware including the Red Wings top three scorers – Dan Cleary (9), Johan Franzen (12) and Henrik Zetterberg (11), plus Bill Guerin (7) of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
“We had a record 371 players using Easton composite sticks during the 2009 regular season,” said Geoff Sadowy, executive vice president of Easton Hockey. “But what this postseason really shows is that the guys using our sticks aren’t riding the pine – 478 points really speaks for itself.”
Easton’s SE16 was the stick of choice during the 2009 postseason.
Introduced in 2008, the SE16 combines the same proven construction of the renowned Synergy Elite line with Easton’s patented, industry-first Focus Weight Technology(TM) to create a next generation Synergy stick unmatched on the ice.
Easton’s Focus Weight Technology uses a concentrated weight strategically placed in the blade’s impact zone to keep the puck on the blade, and in the shaft to counter-balance the stick and give added control. For the ultimate in power, Easton’s impressive Synergy construction is combined with its compression molded process to yield one of the most powerful shots in the game.
Source: Easton Hockey
NHL Team would boost Southern Ontario and Hamilton economies new poll shows
Majority feel team would bring added excitement to the region
More than 90 per cent of residents of Hamilton and the rest of Southern Ontario think a seventh NHL franchise located in that city would be a boost to the region’s businesses and economy, a new survey shows.
The survey of residents of Hamilton and the Southern Ontario Region, including the GTA West, Peel and Halton, was commissioned by PSE Sports & Entertainment (PSE) and it found that a total of 94 per cent on average agree that an NHL franchise would be good for area businesses, and 96 per cent said the team would bring excitement to the region.
“This research of residents in Hamilton and Southern Ontario reflects a receptive, affluent, educated consumer marketplace that believes an NHL franchise will boost the region’s economy while making it a more exciting place to live,” said Bill Walker, spokesperson for Jim Balsillie’s PSE Sports and Entertainment, which has tabled a $212.5 million (US) bid to purchase the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes NHL franchise and move it to Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum.
Elsewhere, the poll also found:
- An average 83 per cent of the region’s residents believe the Coyotes franchise would be more successful in Hamilton than it is in Phoenix;
- A total of 77 per cent in Southern Ontario and 81 per cent of Hamilton residents support Balsillie purchasing the team and moving it to Hamilton. Most of these supporters say their reason for backing the bid is because it would be good for the local economy and good for the city and region.
- Three-quarters of respondents (74 per cent in Southern Ontario and 76 per cent in Hamilton) agree that the region is one of the best unserved hockey markets in the world.
The survey was conducted by leading public opinion research firm POLLARA Inc. The research was conducted among a nationally representative random sample by telephone between May 11-14, 2009. Results are accurate to within plus or minus 3.1%, nineteen times out of twenty.
BACKGROUNDER – POLLING QUESTIONS & RESPONSE BREAKDOWN
Southern Hamilton GTA West
Ontario City (Peel + Halton)
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. “This move would be good for local businesses in Hamilton?”
Total Agree 94% 94% 95%
Strongly Agree 70% 76% 70%
Somewhat Agree 24% 19% 25%
Total Disagree 3% 4% 3%
Somewhat Disagree 2% 3% 2%
Strongly Disagree 1% 2% 1%
Don’t Know 2% 2% 2%
Q: If the Coyotes did move to Hamilton, do you think this would have a positive impact, a negative impact, or no impact at all on the local economy in Southern Ontario? Is that a major or a minor positive/negative impact?
Total Positive 88% 88% 91%
Major Positive Impact 52% 60% 52%
Minor Positive Impact 36% 28% 38%
No Impact At All 5% 4% 4%
Total Negative 2% 3% 2%
Minor Negative Impact 1% 2% 1%
Major Negative Impact 1% 1% 1%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about “An NHL team would bring a lot of excitement to Hamilton and Southern Ontario?”
Total Agree 94% 96% 95%
Strongly Agree 71% 78% 72%
Somewhat Agree 23% 18% 23%
Total Disagree 4% 2% 4%
Somewhat Disagree 3% 2% 3%
Strongly Disagree 1% (less than)1% 1%
Don’t Know 2% 2% 1%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about “This move would be good for the NHL and other NHL teams, since a team in Southern Ontario would be more successful than one in Phoenix?”
Total Agree 83% 85% 81%
Strongly Agree 54% 61% 53%
Somewhat Agree 28% 24% 28%
Total Disagree 8% 6% 9%
Somewhat Disagree 4% 4% 5%
Strongly Disagree 3% 2% 4%
Don’t Know 9% 9% 10%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this proposed move. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about “Southern Ontario is one of the best unserved hockey markets in the world?”
Total Agree 74% 76% 74%
Strongly Agree 48% 56% 45%
Somewhat Agree 26% 20% 30%
Total Disagree 13% 10% 14%
Somewhat Disagree 12% 8% 12%
Strongly Disagree 2% 2% 2%
Don’t Know 13% 14% 12%
Refused (less than)1% (less than)1% (less than)1%
Q: Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie has made an offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, an NHL franchise facing bankruptcy. He has indicated he wants to move the team to Southern Ontario. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose, Balsillie purchasing the Coyotes and moving them to Hamilton?
Total Support 77% 81% 76%
Strongly Support 55% 65% 54%
Somewhat Support 22% 16% 22%
Total Oppose 6% 5% 7%
Somewhat Oppose 3% 1% 4%
Strongly Oppose 3% 4% 3%
Don’t Care/No Opinion 16% 12% 15%
Q: What would you say is your main reason for supporting this move?
Canada Deserves Team 12% 9% 9%
Good For Local Economy 18% 23% 17%
Would Be Good For Hamilton/Area 20% 28% 17%
Hamilton/Southern Ontario
Deserves Team 10% 14% 12%
Canada Better Hockey Market Than US 7% 2% 7%
I’m A Hockey Fan 5% 7% 3%
Hamilton/SE Ont Better Hockey
Market Than Phoenix 5% 2% 7%
Q: Now, I am going to read you some arguments people may make about this proposed move. For each, please tell me if it you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the argument. How about “Jim Balsillie is a successful businessman and would be a good NHL owner?”
Total Agree 73% 78% 71%
Strongly Agree 46% 52% 46%
Somewhat Agree 27% 26% 25%
Total Disagree 4% 4% 3%
Somewhat Disagree 2% 1% 2%
Strongly Disagree 2% 2% 1%
Don’t Know 23% 19% 26%
Source: Jim Balsillie
MLB.TV Premium and NHL GameCenter LIVE Available Via a Combo Subscription Package Beginning February 16
MLB.com and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a partnership that will make available each league’s live online streaming product, MLB.TV Premium and NHL GameCenter LIVE(TM), respectively, through a bundled subscription. This special bundle for United States residents will be available for a one-time fee of
$139.95 beginning Monday, February 16 at MLB.com and NHL.com.
Earlier this month, MLB.TV went on-sale with its full-season package (March-October 2009) for $109.95, a $10 discount off the 2008 yearly pricing, and the NHL will launch its standalone Race for the Cup(TM) streaming product on February 16 for $79.95.
This first-of-its-kind content partnership will allow subscribers to watch every regular season game, more than 100 Spring Training games and the first two rounds of the World Baseball Classic in
2009, via MLB.com, and up to 40 out-of-market NHL games per week for the remainder of the current regular season as well as select Stanley Cup(TM) Playoffs games, via NHL.com (blackout and other restrictions apply).
“We believe this partnership with the NHL is an important initial step in the future of online subscription programming for valuable content providers,” said Bob Bowman, MLB.com President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this tremendous opportunity to introduce our groundbreaking NHL Game Center LIVE experience to an even bigger audience,” said NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins. “MLB.com has built a great business by engaging their audience with a best-in-breed product. This partnership is all about our mutual commitment to deliver world class digital sports experiences to sports fans everywhere.”
MLB.TV, now in its seventh season with over a million total subscribers since its inception and 500,000 in 2008 alone, will introduce significant upgrades to its Premium product in 2009. The new MLB.TV Premium will feature proprietary speed detection allowing a hi-definition quality picture on any screen size; live game DVR functionality; live game picture-in-picture capabilities; multi-game viewing options; home and away feeds for every available game; live game radio option; and real-time player tracker alerts for live at-bat look-ins.
NHL GameCenter LIVE streams up to 40 games per week (blackout and other restrictions apply), and is specifically designed for those avid fans looking for the most complete, in-game NHL viewing experience, as well as for the nearly 50 percent of NHL fans that live away from their favorite team’s local television market and crave more live game coverage. NHL GameCenter LIVE surrounds these avid hockey fans with TV-quality streaming video, multiple and exclusive camera angles, multi-games views, real-time stats, chat and much more.
Source: MLB.com
AT&T U-verse TV Channel Lineup Scores NHL Network and NHL Network HD
AT&T U-verse(SM) hockey fans can now watch more action from the ice. NHL Network and NHL Network(TM) HD are now available to AT&T U-verse TV customers as part of the service’s growing channel lineup.
U-verse TV customers can enjoy NHL Network’s 24-hour, all-access hockey coverage, including live games, daily highlight shows, up-to-the-minute hockey news, and exclusive hockey programming and special events. NHL Network is available to all U-verse TV customers who subscribe to the U400 programming package or The Sports Package. U-verse TV customers can also watch NHL Network in spectacular High Definition (HD) with an HD service subscription. NHL Network is on channel 638 in Standard Definition and channel 1638 in HD.
“NHL Network is an exciting addition to our U-verse TV channel lineup,” said Chris Lauricella, assistant vice president of programming, AT&T Operations, Inc. “Year-round hockey fans can catch in-depth coverage of their favorite sport and also enjoy live games in HD. This is just one more way we’re delivering the content our customers want.”
“We are thrilled to have secured distribution of NHL Network through AT&T — a leader in the communications field,” said Jody Shapiro, senior vice president of distribution, NHL Network. “This agreement is an important step in expanding NHL Network’s reach, while providing AT&T U-verse TV customers access to comprehensive hockey coverage 24-hours a day.”
In addition to the robust sports lineup available in most U-verse TV packages, sports fans can also get access to even more unique sports programming with The Sports Package. For an additional $10 a month, The Sports Package includes more than 25 channels of college sports, regional sports, international soccer, outdoor recreation, horse racing and more. U-verse TV customers can also add HD service for $10 a month with any U-verse TV programming package for access to a lineup of more than 85 HD channels.
The deployment of AT&T U-verse is rapidly introducing competitive choice and next-generation services to more consumers. AT&T U-verse customers enjoy quadruple-play integration, enhanced features and greater value, all made possible by IP technology. AT&T U-verse TV ranked “Highest in Residential Television Service Satisfaction in the North Central, South, and West Regions,” according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study(SM).
Customers who want additional information on AT&T U-verse TV — or to find out if it’s available in their area — can visit http://uverse.att.com/. U-verse TV customers can get more information about U-verse TV programming and television events by visiting http://uverse.att.com/uconnect.
NHL Network
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL(R) games featuring stars such as Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Patrick Kane. The network’s daily signature show — NHL On The Fly — offers fans exclusive live look-ins to each NHL game, including goals, shootouts, extended highlights, stellar saves, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports, team press conferences, expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special event coverage from the NHL All-Star Game, NHL Stanley Cup(TM) Final and NHL Entry Draft. Additional NHL Network programming includes international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the United States and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers. For more information on NHL Network, log on to nhlnetwork.com.
Source: AT&T Inc.
Watch the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 on V CAST from Verizon Wireless
Game at Wrigley Field Featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings Available on Jan. 1, 2009, at 1 p.m. ET
NHL fans who don’t want to miss a single shift of the upcoming Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic(TM) 2009 on New Year’s Day can tune into the game on their wireless phones with V CAST Video from Verizon Wireless, the two companies announced today.
At 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Detroit Red Wings in the League’s annual outdoor game to be played this season at iconic Wrigley Field in Chicago. Verizon Wireless is teaming with the National Hockey League to bring both avid hockey fans and casual sports enthusiasts who want to be part of the historic event the opportunity to watch it on New Year’s Day. The game will be streamed in its entirety and can be found under the “What’s Hot” channel on V CAST Video.
“Bringing this once-a-year event to mobile customers is a great example of how compelling, long-form video content works on many different platforms,” said Tricia Lynch, director of content strategy and acquisition at Verizon. “Customers can watch the first period from their living rooms, then be sure they won’t miss the ending because they have V CAST on their mobile phones.”
“NHL fans are the most tech-savvy in all of sports,” said Andre Mika, the NHL’s senior vice president of broadband and new media production. “On a day when hockey fans across North America come together with the League to celebrate the game, we are thrilled to be able to offer these fans the opportunity to be part of the action on V CAST.”
The Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 is the first time a major league sporting event in the United States will be shown as it happens on V CAST Video. Last year, the NHL Winter Classic, held in Buffalo, N.Y., was attended by more than 71,000 fans and millions more watched on national television across North America.
Customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3.00 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription, which also includes access to the Verizon Wireless ESPN MVP service, Get It Now(R) and Mobile Web services. Customers get unlimited basic video, but application download fees may apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime or megabyte charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content with any V CAST subscription.
For more information about video content from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
Patrick Kane To Unveil Personally-Designed Skates and Stick at NHL Outdoor Game
Limited Number to be Auctioned for Cancer Research
Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane will unveil and use personally-designed skates and sticks during the upcoming Bridgestone NHL 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago on New Year’s Day.
Kane, working with designers and developers at Bauer Hockey, designed the skates and stick this past summer for exclusive use during the outdoor game. Only 88 skates and 88 sticks were created for this special event and Kane will personally sign and auction off a portion of the limited edition product to raise money for breast Cancer research in Chicago and his home town of Buffalo.
“It’s something I’ve been interested in from the beginning – designing your own skates and stick is a pretty unique experience,” Kane said. “It’s really exciting to look at a skate and design it to exactly how you want it to be made. To be able to give back to the community makes the whole experience even more special.”
The Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX skates designed by Kane feature the traditional black, white and red colors of the retro Blackhawks uniforms that will be worn during the game. The skates feature white patent leather tongues and a unique Patrick Kane logo exclusively created for the limited edition product. The word “Showtime” is printed on the tendon guard of the skate, referring to the high level of anticipation for the outdoor game as well as Kane’s exciting style of play. The Kane-designed Nike Bauer Supreme One95 stick is completely red and features the same logo design as well as a “Candy Kane” pattern to celebrate the holiday season. In addition, ‘Winter Classic PK88′ is written in the stick’s namebar to commemorate the memorable outdoor game.
“The skates and stick are the colors of the Blackhawks and should go well with the uniform, but at the same time, it’s a little bit of showtime,” Kane said. “Hopefully when I step out onto the ice, people will say ‘Oh wow, look at the skates Kane’s wearing.’ I’m fortunate enough to be the only one wearing these designs so it makes playing in the game even more exciting. You know the old saying, ‘Look good, feel good, play good.’”
Each skate and stick auctioned will be personally signed by Kane, individually numbered and accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Kane and Bauer Hockey. To access the online auction, which will run from Jan 1-10, 2009, visit Nikebauer.com
Bauer Hockey
Bauer Hockey is the world’s most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment and currently operates under the Nike Bauer Hockey name. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful Supreme and Vapor lines of products.