NHL Ups Technology for 'Big City Greens Classic'

NHL Bringing Penguins and Bruins to 'Big City Greens'

The NHL is returning to 'Big City Greens' with the second 'NHL Big City Greens Classic'. The game will feature the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins and will air on March 9 on ESPN+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney+. The broadcast will be a real-time animation of NHL players and teams modeled after characters from the animated comedy 'Big City Greens'. The game will be re-created in a virtual environment with 3D animated players synched with the real-life players.

Last season's game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers was the first of its kind, offering fans a unique alternative viewing experience. According to David Lehanski, the NHL's executive VP for business development and innovation, the 'Big City Greens Classic' successfully brought the game to a new audience, with a shift in viewership demographics and a significant number of viewers watching the full game or later on video on demand. This season's game will feature enhanced puck and player tracking technology.

The NHL is introducing the Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking system in addition to the NHL Edge tracking system used last season. The new system captures more detailed movements of the players' arms, legs, and sticks, providing a more realistic animation of their actions. The NHL plans to have the Hawk-Eye system installed in all 32 arenas by the start of the 2024-25 season.

Increasing Absurdity and Skills Competition

The 'Big City Greens Classic' promises to increase the absurdity from last year's edition. The characters Cricket, Tilly, and Gramma will play significant roles in coaching and creating an entertaining atmosphere. The virtual hockey game will feature moments where the animated characters transform into penguins during play. The Penguins will be coached by Cricket, who has received endorsement from Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby. The Boston Bruins will be coached by Gramma, as endorsed by Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

In addition to the game, there will be a skills competition held between periods, featuring the 'Big City Greens' characters showcasing their talents. The animated telecast will have ESPN commentators Drew Carter, Kevin Weekes, and Arda Öcal wearing virtual reality headsets for motion capture, immersing them in the animated environment of Times Circle.

Expanding the NHL's Tracking Technology

The NHL's use of puck and player tracking technology continues to evolve with the introduction of the Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking system. This new addition to the NHL Edge tracking system will provide valuable context and analysis by capturing more precise data on player movements, including their body position and shot types. The NHL plans to install the Hawk-Eye system in all 32 arenas by the start of the 2024-25 season, further enhancing the capabilities of their tracking technology.

The combination of the NHL's positional data and the new limb and stick tracking will allow for a deeper analysis of the game, providing insights into players' actions and play outcomes. With these advancements, the NHL aims to create an engaging and immersive experience for fans, especially the younger generation, while also providing valuable data and analysis for teams and players.