NHL Referees Gear Up with Apple Watch for Outdoor Stadium Series Game

The NHL has introduced the NHL Watch Comms App, developed for Apple Watch, to assist on-ice officials in managing games more effectively. This app will be used for the first time in an outdoor setting during the Stadium Series game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium. The app provides real-time haptic notifications to referees, including countdowns for the game clock and penalty clocks, as well as details on which players are in the penalty box. This technology has been tested and refined over the past few seasons in indoor venues, but its debut in an outdoor setting marks a significant step forward in enhancing communication and officiating accuracy amidst challenging environments.