The National Hockey League will have new pucks next season as the league tries to “freshen up” its product and add a new layer of analytics to games.
The newly-designed game pucks for every NHL team were first revealed on the league’s official merchandise site, Fanatics, in August. The new pucks were signed by first overall pick Jack Hughes and second overall pick Kaapo Kakko and are available on the site.
“A design change was made to the graphic of the game puck,” confirmed an NHL spokesman when RMNB asked for comment. “Every 3-5 years we change the design to freshen up this product on-ice. We work with InGlasCo on new design options. This design will stay for a few seasons.”
The look-and-feel of the new game pucks changed slightly, shedding the two white borders that encompass the team logo, as seen here in the 2018 model game puck.
Now the subtractive space in between where the two white borders used to be is now filled with a black gradient. The change makes the pucks look sleeker.
But that’s not all. The pucks used on the ice this season will have sensors inside of them to help track player and puck movement. The NHL announced the change during late January at All-Star Weekend.
#HiTechHockey pic.twitter.com/PlrOrabErt
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 26, 2019
The new sensors will combine with antennae and cameras in arena rafters to yield new tracking data to better analyze and understand the game. Players will also wear sensors in their shoulder pads.
Beyond the minor physical and interior changes, several teams have special branding considerations on their game pucks. Two teams, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, have special anniversary logos to celebrate their 50th seasons in the NHL. The Stanley Cup-champion St. Louis Blues’ also have the text HOME OF THE 2020 ALL-STAR GAME on their pucks.
Headline photo: Fanatics
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