Apple Watches Now Key to Officiating Ice Hockey Games!

Apple Refresh

And it’s the NHL that’s in the spotlight again today, not for iPads or MacBook Pros, but for Apple Watches. According to a blog post by the National Hockey League, the Apple Watch is set to play a pivotal role in helping hockey referees manage games.

Thanks to a specially designed app called NHL Watch Comms, the Apple Watch will be utilized during the Navy Federal Credit Union 2025 match happening tomorrow Saturday. This game, featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets against the Detroit Red Wings, will take place at the Ohio State University Stadium. Notably, the match will be held outdoors, which increases the challenges for the referees.

The app will allow referees to receive real-time notifications throughout the game. Information includes countdowns of remaining playtime, penalty times, and the jersey numbers of players who are in the penalty box at any given moment.

Having been tested for several seasons, the app aims to enhance communication among the referees on the field, especially amid the presence of an enthusiastic and noisy crowd and the ultra-fast pace of the game.

According to David Lehanski, NHL’s Executive Vice President of Business Development and Innovation, the environment changes every time officials step onto the ice…/… but the biggest change with an outdoor setup is the absence of a giant scoreboard hanging over center ice, making it harder for officials to keep track of time and match situations. The purpose of the NHL Watch Comms app is to deliver this information directly to their wrists. The league’s officials have extensively adopted this technology, with nearly all wearing the watch this season. The participation rate of over 90% in just the first few years speaks volumes.

To achieve these results, the League collaborated with Apple and Presidio (the app’s developer) to create a customized app dedicated to the Apple Watch. From Cupertino’s perspective, the new partnership is certainly a cause for celebration. Scott Brodrick, from Apple’s global product marketing, expressed his delight: we’re thrilled that our deep collaboration with the NHL continues with the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch is the perfect device for NHL officials, offering a connected, durable, and powerful experience right on their wrist. With its bright display and haptic notifications, officials can receive critical real-time information at crucial moments, helping them stay focused on the action.