NHL debuts Verizon-powered innovation lab in Newark

The basics:

• NHL launches Innovation Lab at Prudential Center in Newark with Verizon, Devils
• Facility simulates a live arena to test emerging hockey technology
• Private 5G network, cloud infrastructure, Sony systems power real-time analytics and video
• Lab will trial tools like optical tracking, LED systems, digital rink board clocks

The NHL’s next wave of innovation is being built right here in New Jersey.

The professional hockey league, in partnership with Verizon and the New Jersey Devils, has opened a new Innovation Lab at Prudential Center in Newark. The simulated arena environment, officially unveiled April 6, is designed to test and develop cutting-edge technology for use across the game.

NJBIZ was on hand April 2 for a special preview of the facility. The tour offered a firsthand look at how the league is rethinking everything from game operations to fan engagement.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue investing in innovation that strengthens our game and supports its long-term growth,” said Dave Lehanski, NHL executive vice president, Business Development and Innovation. “The NHL Innovation Lab powered by Verizon is an important next chapter in our technology and innovation journey.

“We continue to be committed to leveraging new and emerging technology to benefit every aspect of our game. And the NHL Innovation Lab gives us the ability to test, validate and refine new technology on the ice, in real game environments, all year round right in our own backyard,” Lehanski added.

Officials did not unveil financial terms of the investment.

What it involves

The NHL Innovation Lab serves as a centralized hub to develop and test emerging technologies. The work aims to enhance on-ice performance, game operations and fan engagement.

At its core is a dedicated, always-available rink environment paired with a connected technology hub. It includes server infrastructure, private networking and integrated video systems. All of that links to both the practice facility and the main arena.

Verizon’s private 5G network and secure cloud infrastructure supports the set up. The technology enables real-time data processing, video transmission and advanced analytics.

The facility also incorporates high-end Sony innovations, including Hawk-Eye tracking systems and advanced 4K and 8K media workflows. A high-performance backbone supports this technology, designed to enable near real-time applications, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence.

Try-outs

The lab will trial a range of technologies, such as embedded digital clocks in rink boards, LED lighting systems tied to game operations, and advanced optical tracking systems to expand player data and analytics.

Some applications focus on improving in-game communication, such as using lighting systems to clearly signal events like TV timeouts, or coach’s challenges to players and officials. Others support connected devices, like iPads on team benches for video review and Apple Watches used by officials for real-time alerts.

The Prudential Center’s location adjacent to the practice facility allows the NHL to operate the lab more like a startup environment — rapidly testing, refining and scaling ideas in real time within a dedicated, always-available rink setup.

First-of-its-kind hub

The result is a first-of-its-kind innovation hub that brings together both physical and digital infrastructure under one roof. It gives the NHL a controlled but realistic space to experiment, accelerate new technologies and bring them from concept to game-ready faster than ever before.

Despite the size and scale of the organizations involved, it fosters a startup mentality to test out new ideas.

“This creates an environment and a world where we can come in and we can test and we can trial. We can AB test. We can also try out new cameras,” NHL Vice President of Innovation and Technology Partnerships Sean Williams said during the event.

‘The art of the possible’

League executives emphasized the lab’s operational value. NHL Senior Vice President of Technology Operations John Frantzeskakis pointed to the complexity of deploying new systems.

“As someone who’s responsible for the operation side of this house, there’s a lot of moving parts. And having an environment where we can test out all this new technology is pretty awesome,” Frantzeskakis said during the event, thanking partners Sony and Verizon. “It’s all about the art of the possible. We believe that we will be able to create new innovation out of this lab that we’re going to be able to change the in-game experiences, but also the fan experiences as a result of that.”

NHL Senior Vice President of Technology Grant Nodine said the facility helps catalyze that process.

“It’s really an accelerator for that, because the biggest challenge in season is getting a non-game day where you have an ice surface down, and you have house lights up and things like that, to be able to test things like camera systems and any other things that you’re likely to want to put into play. And it’s a big challenge to do that in season.

“And so, this environment means that we can both do that in an accelerated basis, but it gives us a year-round opportunity to do so,” Nodine said during the event.

Team players

Throughout, NHL officials stressed the importance of Verizon’s network and infrastructure toward these efforts. The company welcomed the opportunity to expand its partnership with the NHL.

This innovation lab is the next phase of our long-standing partnership with the NHL, allowing us to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the ice, in the arena, and for the fans.
– Kyle Malady, CEO, Verizon Business

“This innovation lab is the next phase of our long-standing partnership with the NHL, allowing us to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the ice, in the arena, and for the fans,” said Kyle Malady, CEO, Verizon Business. “By deploying Verizon’s Private 5G Wireless Network and Secure Cloud Interconnect (SCI) solutions, we are providing a dedicated, high-speed, and secure technology foundation for the NHL to incubate and validate next-generation solutions.

“We are proud to serve as the technological partner that helps the NHL strengthen its game.”

As officials toasted the opening of the lab, Williams said: “May we all have the best of luck in proving out new technologies. We may stumble. We may have some issues we run into. But now we have a physical lab to make those mistakes, refine – and be successful.”