The NHL is bringing cutting-edge technology to the ice with the help of Apple Watches. This Saturday, during the Stadium Series outdoor game between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, referees will wear specially configured Apple Watches to receive real-time game alerts through the NHL Watch Comms App.
This new system, developed by the NHL in partnership with Apple and tech firm Presidio, gives on-ice officials vibration-based alerts for crucial game events. These include time warnings at the end of periods and notifications for when power plays are ending. The goal is to help referees stay focused on the game without having to search for the scoreboard.
“You were always searching to find the clock,” said Stephen Walkom, NHL executive vice president of hockey operations and a former referee. “In stadium games, it was even harder. This is a dependable, useful tool to keep us safe and focused.”
Though the system has been used throughout the 2024–25 season, Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium will mark its debut in an outdoor setting. The Red Wings and Blue Jackets face off at 6 p.m. ET.
The NHL’s tech journey with Apple started in 2017, when iPads were added to team benches for real-time video replays. Once players and coaches had digital support, the league turned its focus to improving conditions for officials.
The new Watch Comms App provides three core features, according to Presidio vice president Andres de Corral. It shows the game clock and the jersey numbers of penalized players, tracks penalty time, and alerts refs when a player is about to leave the penalty box — a crucial moment when positioning and awareness are key.
“They have a 200-pound person flying at them at 50 mph,” said Corral. “We want to make sure they’re out of the way.”
Walkom recalled how dangerous it can be for referees to keep up with the fast pace. “You’ve got to know that the guy’s coming out of the box,” he said. “That 10-second warning makes a big difference.”
The watches also give haptic alerts at 10, 3, 2, and 1 second before the end of a period to keep officials focused on play. Different types of vibrations help refs distinguish between clock alerts and penalty box warnings.
Instead of relying on the scoreboard or arena Wi-Fi, the watches use cellular data and pull information from the NHL’s OASIS feed, part of the NHL Edge puck and player tracking system. This method reduces lag and ensures officials receive alerts in near real time.
Launched in September 2024, the Watch Comms App is already in use by 92.5% of NHL officials. The remaining few are awaiting custom watch bands before adopting the system.
Looking ahead, the league sees even more potential in this technology. Officials may soon receive alerts for high-stick infractions by measuring a player’s shoulder height and detecting when a puck is touched above it. The watches could eventually notify referees when pucks hit the netting or cross the goal line — moments sometimes missed due to blocked sightlines.
The league also envisions improved communication between on-ice officials, arena staff, and the video review team in Toronto.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” said NHL executive Dave Lehanski. “This is about the future of officiating and how we keep evolving.”
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