NHL Integrates Apple Watch Technology
During Saturday’s Stadium Series matchup, NHL referees will no longer need to divert their gaze to check the game clock—they’ll receive notifications directly on their wrists.
In an innovative partnership with Apple and Presidio, the National Hockey League (NHL) is rolling out the NHL Watch Comms App. This cutting-edge real-time notification system operates on specially configured Apple Watches for apple-watches-for-enhanced-officiating/” title=”Revolutionizing the Game: NHL Referees Equip Themselves with Apple Watches for Enhanced Officiating!”>ice officials, delivering haptic feedback for crucial in-game occurrences such as countdowns for periods and power plays.
Although the software has been active since the onset of the 2024-2025 season, its outdoor debut will take place during an upcoming contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio State University’s famed football stadium.
Focusing on Gameplay Instead of Timekeeping
Traditionally, NHL officials have had to search for a visible game clock throughout arenas—this distraction sometimes resulted in missed or erroneous calls. This concern became particularly apparent during outdoor games where clocks could be positioned inconsistently.
With this new integration of Apple’s smartwatch technology, officials are better equipped to keep their attention fixed on gameplay rather than periodically looking away to track time.
The NHL Watch Comms App leverages 25 data points sourced from the league’s OASIS feed—a segment of its advanced NHL Edge puck and player tracking framework. This comprehensive data encompasses live information about game clock statuses, penalty durations, player locations on ice, and puck dynamics.
Unlike traditional methods reliant upon arena scoreboards, these smartwatches utilize cellular connectivity to provide consistent updates directly to officials. However, instances may arise where Wi-Fi or cellular signals falter.
Should such issues occur; officiating crews must revert back to conventional techniques—such as visual cues from arena screens or manually keeping time as a safeguard measure.
A referee utilizing an Apple Watch for enhanced officiating capabilities.
The app comprises three fundamental functions: showing the game’s current score timer; displaying jersey numbers of players currently serving penalties; and managing penalty timers effectively. For instance, when a power play nears conclusion, it sends a vibrating alert straight to an official’s wrist.
Different types of notifications produce unique vibration patterns allowing referees immediate understanding without diverting attention from dynamic gameplay situations. Furthermore,these haptic warnings prove vital in critical moments like ending power plays or monitoring when players exit penalty boxes—all essential for ensuring uninterrupted flow during matches while prioritizing participants’ safety events that could potentially alter fluidity in play.
A Leap Forward in Officiating Technology
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