NHL sees continued success with puck tracking technology

More than three years since puck and player tracking was first tested by the NHL, the technology has "grown by leaps and bounds to give coaches just about every piece of information they would want during and after a game," according to Stephen Whyno of the AP. When the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin next week, fans will "continue to see more details about player speed, shot speed and other metrics," and by next season, they should "have access to some of that data, too." Showing "how hard someone shoots the puck" is "just the start of the array of futuristic technologies coming to a hockey arena near you." The next wave includes "real-time video and instant replays available for fans on their phones and steps toward augmented and virtual reality." Coaches already have "access to the full complement of puck and player tracking data as part of the app developed for their use on the bench during games." TV broadcasters could "be next to get an app like that to illustrate trends," with fans "eventually getting their hands on all the data." The technology is "already available and has been implemented" with nine NFL teams and the Suns (AP, 4/27).

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