The NHL has taken a big step in modernizing its officiating system by equipping referees with Apple Watches. Through the newly developed NHL Watch Comms App, built in collaboration with Apple and Presidio, officials now receive instant haptic alerts for critical game events. This lets them focus on the action without constantly glancing at arena clocks.
The technology has already been in use throughout the 2024–2025 season and is set to make its outdoor debut during the Stadium Series game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio State University’s football stadium.
Sharper Focus, Fewer Distractions
Before this system, referees depended heavily on scoreboard displays—an approach that often slowed reactions, especially in outdoor venues where clocks are not always in convenient locations. Now, alerts for period endings, power play expirations, and penalty times arrive directly on referees’ wrists. Each type of notification has its own vibration pattern, so officials can instantly recognize what’s happening without ever taking their eyes off the ice.
Behind the Tech
The system pulls data from the NHL’s OASIS feed, which tracks everything from game clock changes to penalty durations, puck movement, and player positioning. Apple Watches used by officials feature cellular connectivity, ensuring that updates are delivered reliably in real time. Still, referees are trained to fall back on manual timing if network issues arise.
The Future of Game Management
The league’s embrace of Apple technology isn’t new—teams have relied on iPads for video analysis since 2017—but the latest move shifts focus to officiating. According to NHL executive Dave Lehanski, future versions of the app could expand into features such as goal-line detection or even high-stick monitoring, further boosting accuracy and fairness.
At present, the majority of NHL referees are already using Apple Watches, with the few holdouts waiting on customized bands. As wearable tech becomes more deeply integrated into professional hockey, the NHL is setting a precedent that could influence officiating standards across other major sports.