-- The National Hockey League today unveiled its global mobile line-up, which this season delivers to fans a complete line-up of mobile NHL GameCenter™ applications developed for the widest range of handsets, operating systems, tablets and carriers -- many of which are distributed by official League partners Verizon Wireless (USA) and Bell Mobility (Canada).The NHL GameCenter apps are the only place to get a vast selection of NHL® video on smartphones or tablet computers -- including live streaming games and in-game highlights (blackout and other restrictions apply).A recent study by ABI Research confirms that mobile subscriptions worldwide passed the 5 billion mark. With broadband connections only at an estimated 400m, mobile the most pervasive means of distributing NHL video content globally. According to Scarborough Research, NHL fans are more likely to own smartphones than fans of any other major professional sport. In addition, tablet computers are providing rich, second-screen experiences to television viewers. In fact, Gartner is predicting tablet sales will reach 19.5 million units in 2010 before jumping 181 percent in 2011 to reach 54.8 million. By 2014, Gartner expects consumers to buy 208 million tablets.The NHL is servicing this growing demand by developing multiple applications on the widest range of smartphones and tablets, creating a mobile front door to the League for every fan."Hockey fans around the world have an insatiable demand for NHL content, and want a multi-platform experience that includes their wireless handsets and tablets," said John Collins, the NHL's chief operating officer. "Our mobile products put the best NHL content in the hands of our fans -- no matter where they live, what time of day it is or what mobile device they own."Ranging from free to paid, beginning today the NHL is offering three versions of NHL GameCenter apps on a complete array of smartphones and tablet computers, includingandhandsets, and thetablet (which, starting this week, will be sold by Verizon Wireless).The apps will be distributed through Android Market (Android smartphones); BlackBerry App World (BlackBerry smartphones); Apple iTunes (iPhone, iTouch and iPad); Ovi Store (Nokia smartphones); and Verizon Wireless VCAST (Android and BlackBerry smartphones on the Verizon Wireless network).With device-optimized apps, and multiple price points, the NHL is providing a mobile content experience to fit every fan, and shortening the distance between the League and its fans all over the world.-- a free mobile application that delivers live scores; live in-game stats for every team and player; a real time Ice Tracker™, which is a feature that shows the locations of goals, hits and saves on a virtual hockey rink; game photos; a full-season schedule; NHL standings; NHL player profiles; archived results and stats for the current season; searchable content; and a personalized experience.-- a premium upgrade from NHL GAMECENTER offering video highlights, condensed games and live game audio in addition to those features found through NHL GameCenter-- available today on BlackBerry and Android smartphones on the Verizon Wireless Network, this best-in-class mobile application gives subscribers access to live streams of NHL games on their mobile device along with all the content available through NHL GameCenter Premium. NHL GameCenter LIVE for iPads is due out later in 2010.NHL GameCenter apps are not all available on all devices, due to territory and rights restrictions.Tablets are quickly becoming a must-have viewing companion for television and NHL GameCenter for the iPad engrosses fans in scores, stats, player profiles, and stories to create a true immersive hockey experience. Live games will be available on iPads via NHL GameCenter LIVE later in 2010.The League is looking to be aggressive in this space and develop its NHL GameCenter apps for devices beyond the iPad such as the Blackberry Playbook and the Samsung Galaxy, which will be available through Verizon Wireless later in the year.All NHL GameCenter applications were co-developed with the NHL's exclusive technology services provider NeuLion , the leading IPTV company. NeuLion is a leading IPTV company providing a comprehensive suite of technology and services to content owners and aggregators. The NeuLion IPTV Platform provides fan experiences on multiple consumer devices at the same time. For more information on all NHL mobile applications, log on to www.nhl.com/mobile