Last week, the NHL announced that teams would start using iPad Pros as a way to help coaches track various statistics and other data during games. To commemorate the new app, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Edmonton Oilers player Connor McDavid and Toronto Maple Leafs player Auston Matthews visited Apple’s Infinite Loop campus.
The event took place at the Town Hall auditorium, with Matthews, McDavid, and Bettman being joined onstage by Apple’s Phil Schiller. This weekend marked the NHL All-Star Weekend, which was held at the SAP Center arena just up the road from Apple’s campus.
According to the NHL, there were about 300 Apple employees in the crowd at the auditorium, with many more watching via a live stream that the company opened to employees everywhere.
Speaking during the event, Bettman touted the NHL’s growing partnership with Apple, saying it has transformed the game with affecting the game itself:
Bettman also said that through the new NHL Coaching Insights app announced last week, coaches and players will have the ability to learn additional statistics and insights and make real-time adjustments:
Meanwhile, Matthews said that using iPads allows players to review real-time performance and plays, and allows coaches to provide instant feedback. “Our assistant coach is coming up with the iPad telling us what we’re doing wrong and stuff like that,” Matthews said.
“Everything we do starts with the game, starts with the players, and what we try to do is innovate and create around the game itself without disrupting the essential elements of the game so when can enhance the fan experience,” Commissioner Bettman said. “Our collaboration with Apple and things like the Coaching Insight, which we do with SAP and their cloud platforms, are all designed to make it better for the players, make it better for the coaches and most importantly make it better for the fans. So we’re grateful for all we do together.”
Read the full piece on the NHL blog right here.
