The NHL is aiming to have its puck and player tracking system installed into 22 arenas by the end of January. The league is also installing the system into the arenas of every potential playoff contender, ensuring that it can be used for every playoff game in April.
Implementation was delayed after the NHL canceled a partnership with RFID tracking provider JogMo in September. The league subsequently announced that North Carolina-based SportsMEDIA Technology would take over as its puck-and-player tracking partner. SMT’s Oasis tracking system, which includes sensors embedded into pucks and players’ jerseys, will be installed into all 31 arenas before the start of the 2020 NHL season.
“We’re going to generate an incredible amount of new data that has never existed before and use it to create new and enhanced experiences for everyone in the NHL community, starting with our broadcast partners,” Dave Lehanski, the NHL’s SVP of business development and innovation, told Sports Video Group.
The system is reportedly already installed at two NHL venues and has the ability to generate nearly one million data points during a single game. The league is focused on making SMT’s puck-and-player tracking data available for its broadcast partners, but sees the system eventually affecting other fan experiences and player scouting.
