In January 2019, the NHL announced their new player and puck tracking technology planned to deploy during the 2019-2020 season. This sports-based technology utilizes internet-of-things devices that track and players and pucks in real-time. The NHL announced the technology will be to supply a richer fan experience, real-time data to coaches, and big data for the gambling industry. The NHL isn’t the only organization using internet-of-things devices to create a more impactful game…
Youth Hockey Player Development
In Vancouver, BC, Drive Hockey Analytics has been developing a puck and hockey player stat tracking system with a unique approach of hockey development programs in the grassroots, youth and minor leagues. Drive Hockey’s stat tracking technology gives supporting data to help amateur coaches make better informed development decisions and set clear, trackable targets for their team. Players track their stats automatically during games, get personalized insights on their performance and can develop on their own unique track by setting target metrics, accessing training resources and tracking performance over time.
Growing the Game in Emerging Markets
The IIHF has always been a proponent of developing the game hockey in emerging markets and has assisted countries in many ways, including programs to bring in expert coaches, professional team mentors and international tournament participation. Sports analytics systems like those being developed by Drive Hockey are suited to help emerging markets develop their own grassroots programs by letting data be used to help better evaluate players, support coaching and development, track the progress of associations and leagues across many players, and to give parents and fans better insights into the game.
Hockey Player Evaluation and Scouting
Hockey stats and analytics tracking is set to change the way player evaluation and scouting works in the minor leagues. In many cases, players are evaluated by getting glimpses of their play during a brief tournament or series of games. Internet of things player tracking brings an ability to analyze player attributes using the same standard, across all games and compared against a broad group. A player’s development path and unique playing style can be analyzed remotely from collecting detailed metrics across many games and situations. Sports IoT technology coupled with big data analytics promises to remove a large amount of bias and subjectivity from evaluations and give a more accurate read on a player and their unique style.
Much the same way baseball has evolved using sports analytics, the game hockey is set to take a leap forward as the NHL and companies like Drive Hockey Analytics bring innovative internet of things and sports analytics technology into the minor leagues.