San Jose Sharks turn to AI partners to revolutionise hockey tactics

The San Jose Sharks have announced a partnership with Cambridge Consultants and Sportsology to examine the use of artificial intelligence in ice hockey coaching.

The initiative seeks to integrate AI into existing coaching frameworks, with the goal of uncovering new game intelligence and insights beyond what human coaches typically detect. The Sharks will use AI to analyse real-time match data, track player movements, and scrutinise patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed by traditional methods.

Challenging assumptions

San Jose Sharks President Jonathan Becher explained the rationale behind embracing this technology. "There are established and accepted norms and beliefs that have dominated how strategies are employed in sports – and especially within the game of hockey. We want to challenge these long-held beliefs, with AI being a new voice in the conversation that offers a unique perspective based on its interpretation of match data."

Currently, much of the data utilised in sport is directed at fans and remains largely static. The Sharks intend to transition towards drawing actionable insights from dynamic, in-game data. By leveraging AI, they hope to identify trends and strategies that may not be apparent through conventional analysis.

AI-driven coaching

The collaboration's scope covers the creation of an 'AI coach' to complement and enhance traditional coaching approaches. This digital assistant will aim to provide unbiased, data-driven support, aiding coaches in both tactical planning and real-time decision making.

According to Brian Leona, Vice President, Programme Management, Intelligent Services at Cambridge Consultants, the approach offers a departure from convention. "Our goal is to take a unique, AI-driven approach to hockey coaching. Currently, coaching tends to start with theory. Data is then used to try to validate that theory. We are using AI to look at the data with no preconceived notions about what is true, and letting the data tell us what is happening."

Sportsology's Chief Information Officer Chris Brady noted the potential for AI to overcome ingrained biases in analysis. "Humans naturally tend to agree with each other or follow more preconceived notions of what an approach to problems might be. In other words, they spot patterns in data based on education and experience but will gravitate towards a common approach."

Unbiased analysis

Through the lens of AI, the Sharks seek to improve the depth and neutrality of their tactical evaluations. The technology will allow for analysis of player position data across sequences rather than isolated snapshots, helping the team to understand the motion geometries that lead to key moments during games.

Sharks Director, Hockey Projects and Analytics, Charlie Townsend, said, "We are trying to identify whether there are untapped, unbiased solutions by utilizing technology to observe, digest and translate data points within a game that can assist with solutions to complex hockey problems."

Brady suggests, "We are using AI to provide better insight and deeper game intelligence not possible by human analysis alone. Our aim is to create an AI coach – a teammate, not a toolbox. Ultimately, this isn't about replacing coaches with technology, it's about creating a blended approach, adding AI to the team."

By combining AI's ability to propose new approaches with human expertise, the Sharks aim to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the game and challenge existing coaching methods. The team will use this technology to reconsider decision-making processes, analyse the efficacy of tactics, and explore alternative strategies.

Looking ahead

Jonathan Becher acknowledged both the promise and the challenges of the project. "While we acknowledge the challenges and complexities of this project, we are also extremely excited about the journey to explore what may be possible and its potential game-changing payoff."

As part of this collaboration, the Sharks join a broader trend in professional sport, where teams and organisations are increasingly exploring the use of advanced analytics and machine learning to enhance performance and strategic decision making. The partnership with Cambridge Consultants and Sportsology will continue to bring an empirically driven lens to the team's ongoing pursuit of on-ice improvement.