NHL Partners with AWS to Transform the Future of Hockey
“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”—the words famously shouted by sportscaster Al Michaels after the U.S. hockey team defeated the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics. That unforgettable moment, forever etched in hockey history, lives on thanks to modern technology. And now, the National Hockey League (NHL) is taking a major step forward to ensure that memories like these—and future ones—are preserved and enhanced in entirely new ways.
Recently, the NHL partnered with (AWS) Amazon Web Services in a groundbreaking announcement. As the league’s official cloud computing and artificial intelligence provider, AWS will help usher in a new era of innovation across every part of the game—from how it’s played to how it’s watched.
A New Digital Frontier for Hockey
So, what does this partnership mean in simple terms? To start, AWS will become the NHL’s official cloud storage and machine learning partner. This means all the NHL’s video footage, statistics, and tracking data will now live on AWS’s cloud, where it can be stored, processed, and analyzed more efficiently than ever before.
Thanks to this collaboration, fans, broadcasters, and teams alike will benefit from smarter data, faster analytics, and more immersive viewing experiences.
Inside the Puck and Player Tracking (PPT) System
One of the most exciting parts of this partnership revolves around the NHL’s Puck and Player Tracking (PPT) System. While it’s been in development since 2013, AWS technology will now help bring it fully to life.
Here’s how it works: Each NHL arena will be outfitted with specialized antennas mounted in the rafters. These antennas communicate with sensors embedded in every player’s uniform and even inside the puck itself. The puck’s sensor can be tracked up to 2,000 times per second—yes, you read that right—providing precise location data that can be turned into real-time stats, heatmaps, and gameplay insights.
This means fans can expect more in-depth commentary, broadcasters can highlight plays in new ways, and teams can analyze performance like never before.
The Puck Stops Here! Learn how the NHL’s L.A. Kings use LTO Tape to build their archive.
How AWS Enhances the Hockey Experience
The benefits don’t stop at tracking. AWS’s cloud and AI capabilities will also be used to automate video processing, power new visual effects, and personalize the viewing experience.
For example, imagine watching a game and being able to choose from multiple camera angles, listen to your favorite commentators, or see extra stats about your favorite player—all tailored just for you. That’s the kind of personalization AWS aims to deliver.
International fans will especially benefit. A hockey viewer in Russia might get player-specific content, such as enhanced stats or replays for Russian athletes. These kinds of features create a more engaging and inclusive global experience.
Building a Smarter Video Platform
Another key development is the creation of a centralized video hub. The NHL, with help from AWS, is building a cloud-based platform where all video footage, game data, and related content can be stored and easily accessed.
This will make it faster and easier for broadcasters to pull clips for highlights, create historical retrospectives, and even license content. Plus, it opens the door for new innovations—like Virtual Reality replays, Augmented Reality graphics on screen, and integrated sports betting features during live games.
Advanced Analytics and Referee Support
AWS Machine Learning tools will also be used to deliver deeper in-game analytics. These systems will analyze official NHL data and convert it into advanced metrics in real time. This means faster, smarter insights for fans—but also for players, coaches, and referees.
Officials on the ice will soon have access to 4K video feeds with multi-angle replays to help them make more accurate calls during critical game moments. Through AWS Elemental Media, high-definition and ultra-high-definition video will be processed, encoded, and delivered with minimal delay.
What’s Next?
The NHL and AWS won’t implement everything at once. Instead, they plan to roll out new features gradually over the next few seasons. This allows time for fine-tuning, testing, and gathering feedback from fans and teams alike.
But one thing’s for sure: this partnership is a game-changer.
A Faster, Smarter, Sleeker Game
As technology becomes more embedded in the sport, fans can expect a version of hockey that’s not just faster and stronger—but also smarter. More data, more insights, and more ways to enjoy the game are on the horizon.
So, the next time you hear the words “Do you believe in miracles?”—you might just think of what’s happening in the NHL right now. Because thanks to AWS, the future of hockey is arriving faster than ever.
