NHL hockey pucks feature purple wording when they are frozen, indicating they are ready for game play. The logo and words turns white when the pucks are too warm. (Photos by Karrissa D. Herrera/Cronkite News)
GLENDALE – A puck that changes colors? Welcome to the latest technological advancement with the National Hockey League’s rubber disk.
For the 2019-20 season, game pucks will come with a thermochromic coating that is purple when frozen but turns clear as the pucks thaw above freezing temperatures. That change should make it easier for officials to identify when the pucks on the ice should be replaced.
Warmer pucks tend to bounce more and are more difficult to control. Frozen ones glide smoother and faster. In the modern NHL, an average game will use about a dozen pucks.
“I think they have 20-25 pucks inside the penalty box there and after every TV timeout and every goalie stop they change them out,” Arizona Coyotes forward Christian Fischer said.
The color change is most obvious on the wording of the puck as it starts to warm up.
“There is a range. The league likes it between about 14 and 20 (degrees) with 18 being preferred temperature,” said Patrick Schuler, manager of ice operations at Gila River Arena, where the Coyotes play.
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The change is part of a three-year deal between the NHL and PPG, a paint supplier based in Pittsburgh that developed the coating with the help of LCR Hallcrest and QCR Solutions. After testing it in the 2019 Winter Classic, the league felt ready to debut the innovation across the continent.
The implementation is in line with the league’s continued push to remain on the front end of technological innovation. The league plans to deploy a puck-and-player tracking system this season, with RFID tags in the puck and on players’ pads to follow them. It’s been tested a few times, including during two Vegas Golden Knights games in January.
The NHL has experimented with its puck before. When Fox Sports owned the television rights to the 1996 NHL All-Star Game, it introduced the “glowing puck,” which used infrared technology to follow LED lights inside the puck to create a so-called comet tail on the puck that helped track it on television.
While the system, officially known as FoxTrax, only lasted two years and was considered “one of the worst ideas in sports” at the time, it is regaining popularity. ESPN writer Greg Wyshynski recently advocated for the glow puck to return.
The idea for the thermochromic coating follows a recent pattern most often seen in the beer industry. Coors Light famously created labels on which the mountains turn blue when the beer is at the perfect temperature. While that label changed in the 40º to 44º F range, the NHL’s pucks will change colors once the puck’s temperature rises above freezing.
“Hockey pucks are made of vulcanized rubber and glide smoother and faster when frozen,” NHL Vice President of Facilities Operations Dan Craig said ahead of its trial runat the 2019 Winter Classic. “Freezing a puck eliminates bouncing, and game officials monitor the puck for temperature changes that affect performance while in play. A coating that changes color when the puck is above freezing will more accurately alert the officials that it is time for a replacement.”
Nick White contributed to this report.
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Sports Reporter, Phoenix Alex Simon is a graduate student at the Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication who received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Elon University in North Carolina. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s a sports journalist with a primary focus on digital reporting and editing.
Sports Photographer, Phoenix
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of sports technology, particularly in the intersection of sports equipment innovation and thermochromic coatings, I find the recent advancements in NHL hockey puck technology to be a fascinating development. My extensive background in sports technology and innovation allows me to delve into the intricacies of the thermochromic coating featured on the NHL hockey pucks, shedding light on the practical applications and benefits it brings to the game.
The introduction of thermochromic coating in NHL hockey pucks is a remarkable technological leap that enhances the efficiency and precision of the game. The primary function of this coating is to provide a visual indication of the puck's temperature, aiding officials in determining when a puck needs replacement during gameplay. The color-changing property, from purple when frozen to clear when thawed above freezing temperatures, serves as a practical and real-time indicator for officials.
One crucial aspect highlighted in the article is the impact of temperature on the performance of hockey pucks. The article rightly notes that warmer pucks tend to bounce more and are more challenging to control, while frozen ones glide smoother and faster on the ice. This insight emphasizes the practical significance of the thermochromic coating, enabling officials to maintain optimal playing conditions by swiftly replacing pucks that have warmed beyond the preferred temperature range of 14 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Moreover, the collaboration between the NHL and PPG, a Pittsburgh-based paint supplier, alongside LCR Hallcrest and QCR Solutions, underscores the meticulous research and development invested in this technological innovation. The three-year deal between the NHL and PPG signifies a commitment to incorporating cutting-edge technology into the sport, aligning with the league's broader strategy to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
The article also touches upon the league's ongoing efforts to integrate technology into various aspects of the game. Beyond the thermochromic coating, the NHL is set to deploy a puck-and-player tracking system using RFID tags in pucks and players' pads. This additional technological initiative demonstrates the league's proactive approach to harnessing innovation for a more immersive and data-driven fan experience.
Lastly, the historical context provided in the article, such as the brief stint of the "glowing puck" in 1996, adds depth to the discussion. The comparison to Coors Light's color-changing labels, a concept widely known in the beer industry, illustrates how thermochromic technology has found applications beyond the realm of sports equipment.
In conclusion, the introduction of thermochromic coating in NHL hockey pucks is a testament to the league's commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology for the betterment of the game. The collaboration, the practical implications of temperature on puck performance, and the broader technological initiatives collectively highlight the NHL's dedication to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of sports innovation.
