NHL Officials Get a High-Tech Assist from Apple Watch

The NHL is bringing wearable tech to the ice—this time for the officials. At the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series, referees will use the NHL Watch Comms App on Apple Watch for real-time game updates, including penalty and game clock countdowns. Developed by Presidio in collaboration with Apple, this tech aims to improve officiating accuracy, especially in outdoor environments where there's no overhead scoreboard to reference. Haptic notifications will help refs stay on top of penalties and key moments without having to glance up or rely on verbal cues over the roaring crowd.

Officials have already been testing the app in indoor venues, with a 90% adoption rate across the league this season. The technology is designed to streamline communication, reduce stoppages, and enhance safety for players and referees alike. According to NHL executive David Lehanski, this is part of a broader push to integrate cutting-edge tech into all aspects of the game. And given the league's history with Apple-powered coaching tools since 2017, this latest move feels like a natural extension of that partnership.

Looking ahead, the NHL is exploring ways to expand this tech even further—potentially enabling direct communication between referees on the ice, officials in the arena, and the league’s Toronto-based headquarters. The goal? Smoother games, better decision-making, and ultimately, fewer controversial calls. While the fans might not notice these changes immediately, Saturday’s game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings will serve as a real-world test for what could become a standard tool in every NHL referee’s toolkit.