Apple Watch tech gives NHL refs an edge with real-time alerts

NHL referees no longer need to visually view the timer during Saturday's Stadium Series - they will feel it on their wrists.

National Hockey League (NHL) has partnered with Apple and Presidio to launch the NHL Watch Comms app, a real-time notification system running on Apple Watches specially configured for ice officials. This technology provides tactile alerts for critical match events such as stages and more play timers.

While the software has been used throughout the 2024-2025 season, it will debut on the outdoor venue in the Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blues at Ohio State University Football Stadium.

Focus on the game, not the timer

For years, NHL officials have had to look around the arena for a game timer, a distraction that could lead to missed judgments. This problem is particularly evident in outdoor stadium games, as the position of the timer may vary.

The integration of the NHL Apple Watch helps officials focus on game action rather than taking a look at the timer from time to time.

The NHL Watch Comms application uses 25 data points in the league’s OASIS data stream, part of the NHL Edge hockey and player tracking system. The data collected by the system includes real-time data on game timer status, free throw timer, player position and hockey movement.

Unlike the traditional method of relying on scoreboards, the Apple Watch will have a cellular connection to maintain information flow to officials on the ice. However, sometimes there may be connection problems with Wi-Fi and cellular connections.

In this case, officials need to return to the traditional method. These include visual cues for the arena scoreboard or manual timing as backups.

NHL app offers three core features—displaying game timers, displaying jersey numbers of the penalty player, and running a penalty timer. When more hits less is about to end, the watch sends vibrations to the officer's wrist.

Each notification type triggers a different vibration mode, which helps officials quickly identify what is going on without taking their eyes off the ice. In addition to tracking timers, these tactile alerts are crucial to managing time-sensitive moments.

These moments include more plays and less ending, the final countdown of the stage and the player is about to leave the free throw area. Officials using the NHL app on the Apple Watch will not miss out on critical match events that could impact game flow and player safety.

Towards the future of referee work

NHL's cooperation with Apple is not new. Since 2017, the league has used iPad on the team's bench to provide real-time videos to coaches and players. Now, the focus has turned to officials.

NHL Executive Vice President of Business Development and Innovation Dave Lehanski highlighted the possibility of the future, including the use of the technology to detect high poles or remind referees whether the puck crosses the goal line when an official’s line of sight is blocked.

The adoption rate of this new technology is encouraging, with more than 90% of ice officials already using the Apple Watch. Those who are still watching are reportedly waiting for custom straps.

As the Apple Watch continues to improve, it may set a new benchmark for integrating wearable technology in professional sports and promote it to other sports leagues.

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