The NHL has partnered with Apple to introduce innovative smartwatches for officiating on the ice. Central to this initiative is the NHL Watch Comms app, designed specifically to enhance referees' awareness of the game clock in real-time.
NHL officials equipped with Apple Watches. | Image credit — NHL
Beyond just monitoring time, the Apple Watches provide haptic alerts to inform referees of crucial events such as when a player leaves the penalty box or when a period concludes. Each alert has a unique vibration pattern, minimizing confusion among officials during fast-paced gameplay. Moreover, these watches are integrated with the NHL's Oasis system, a cloud-based platform that gathers player data, game statistics, and other vital information, ensuring all officials receive synchronized updates seamlessly.
NHL Watch Comms app displayed on Apple Watches. | Image credit — NHL
We aimed to ensure that officials maintained a heightened awareness of the game while keeping their focus on the play. By integrating haptic feedback, we were able to provide them with effective non-visual cues during crucial moments.
— Andres de Corral, VP of Digital Services at Presidio
This groundbreaking use of wearable technology in professional sports refereeing exemplifies a potential trend that could reshape the officiating landscape. Other sports leagues may follow suit, exploring how real-time data and enhanced communication can lead to more accurate and efficient officiating practices across various sports.
