The NHL is incorporating Apple Watch
NHL referees won’t need to visually scan for a clock during Saturday’s Stadium Series game — they’ll feel it on their wrist.
The National Hockey League (NHL) has teamed up with Apple and Presidio to introduce the NHL Watch Comms App, a real-time notification system running on Apple Watches configured specifically for on-ice officials. The technology provides haptic alerts for key in-game events like period and power play countdowns.
While the software has been in use throughout the 2024-2025 season, it will debut in an outdoor setting at the upcoming Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets match at Ohio State University’s football stadium.
Keeping eyes on the ice & not on the clock
For years, NHL officials had to glance around the arena for the game clock, a distraction that could lead to missed calls. The issue was particularly evident in outdoor stadium games, where the placement of the clock could vary.
The NHL Apple Watch integration helps officials keep their eyes on the action instead of glancing at the clock every so often.
The NHL Watch Comms App uses 25 data points from the league’s OASIS feed, part of the NHL Edge puck and player tracking system. Data collated by the system includes real-time data on game clock status, penalty timers, player positioning, and puck movement.
Unlike traditional scoreboard-reliant methods, the Apple Watches will have cellular connectivity to maintain a flow of information to officials on the ice. However, there can be times where Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity have connection issues.
In those instances, officials will need to revert to traditional methods. These include visual cues from arena scoreboards or manual timekeeping as a backup.
A referee uses an Apple Watch. Image credit: NHL
The NHL app offers three core functions — displaying the game clock, showing jersey numbers of penalized players, and running a penalty timer. When a power play is about to end, the watch sends a vibration to the official’s wrist.
Each notification type triggers a distinct vibration pattern, which helps officials quickly recognize what’s happening without taking their eyes off the ice. Beyond tracking the clock, these haptic alerts are crucial for managing time-sensitive moments.
These moments include the end of a power play, the final countdown of a period, and when a player is set to leave the penalty box. Officials using the NHL app on their wrists won’t miss critical game events that could affect play flow and player safety.
A step toward the future of officiating
The NHL’s collaboration with Apple isn’t new. Since 2017, the league has used iPads on team benches to provide real-time video for coaches and players. Now, the focus has shifted to officials.
Dave Lehanski, NHL executive VP of business development & innovation, highlighted future possibilities, including using the technology to detect high sticks or alert referees when a puck crosses the goal line if their sightline is blocked.
The app for referees. Image credit: NHL
The adoption rate of the new technology is promising, with over 90% of on-ice officials already using the Apple Watch. Those holding out are reportedly waiting on custom watch bands.
As the Apple Watch keeps improving it might set a new benchmark for integrating wearable tech in professional sports and spread to other sports leagues.
