re: Season-Long NHL Thread

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It was hidden inside the rubber of the pucks, and within the thread of each player’s shoulder pads, safely concealed by their sweater.

This week microchips were implanted and tracked live during a regular season game for the first time in NHL history. The tracking system was first tested in Tuesday’s game between the Golden Knights and Rangers, and Thursday the NHL granted The Athletic behind the scenes access to the infinite possibilities that come with this new form of tracking.

The possibilities are endless, and they all begin with a tiny ultra wideband microchip, and 18 tracking antennas mounted high above the ice.

“I’m so happy with the fact that all of this technology will give all of our fans an opportunity to get closer to the game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told The Athletic. “We have a lot of time and money invested in player and puck tracking, so to see it working so well is really exciting.”

How quickly a player skates on a breakaway. How fast a slap shot is traveling when a player swiftly deflects it past the goalie with the blade of his stick. The exact length and velocity of a perfect saucer pass through two defenders. The potential is infinite.

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