Hockey Teams Are Turning Ice Rinks Into Projection Screens

by
December 11, 2014

Hockey is seemingly always a fun event to watch live. Even if your favorite team isn’t performing so well, the speed of the game, the always-present chance of a fight, and the overall live experience of live NHL hockey is an enjoyable one. Fans seem to agree, as — at least in the short term — NHL attendance records are growing. Some teams are not resting on their laurels, however, and are instituting even more ways to engage fans that make it to the arena.

devilsice

That bit of visual mastery can be found at The Prudential Center, the home of the New Jersey Devils. It comes courtesy of a dozen high-powered 1080p projectors that are mounted to the rafters of the arena. The company behind it is Quince Imaging. They have set up similar systems for other NHL teams as well as a few NBA clubs. The company was profiled recently by Wired.

And according to Quince COO Scott Williams, it doesn’t have to stop at fancy pre-game theatrics. There are possible plans to integrate interactive games — even some controlled by fans’ mobile devices.

The detail of the graphics is impressive in both the GIF above, and the video below of the Calgary Flames’ intro. We are only a few years removed from HD scoreboards over center ice, and now arenas are tricking us into thinking people can freeze fire with their skates. I’m sure the addition of similar systems in other arenas would be a welcome change for fans.

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David G. Temple is the Managing Editor of TechGraphs and a contributor to FanGraphs, NotGraphs and The Hardball Times. He hosts the award-eligible podcast Stealing Home. Dayn Perry once called him a "Bible Made of Lasers." Follow him on Twitter @davidgtemple.

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Michael
10 years ago

I wonder if this could be used for coaching purposes utilizing SportVu-like data imaging. Project where and how you want your defenders to defend, so that the players have real-time feedback during practice. Probably easier to do in basketball than hockey. I don’t know much about hockey, it seems like there is more fluidity and less set plays.

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Mac
10 years ago

Yes, yes, and eagles are turning people into horses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1-Oep9uNwM

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