The National Hockey League announced its launch of NHL Skill across all Amazon Alexa-enabled devices in the U.S. and Canada this week. Once the NHL Skill is activated, users can talk with Alexa to receive news, information, and score updates for each of the NHL’s 31 teams.
Alexa, ask NHL when do the Blackhawks play next?
On Alexa-enabled devices with screens such as the Echo Show or Echo Sport, fans can select their favorite NHL team to receive updates featuring team logos, real-time stats, and player imagery. Through this new skill, the NHL becomes the first major North American professional sports league to offer detailed player profiles for Alexa-enabled devices with screens.
Alexa, how can I watch the Sharks game?
Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?
For daily league news, game recaps, and previews from around the NHL, fans can enable an NHL Flash Briefing via the Alexa mobile app, Amazon.com, or by asking Alexa through voice command. The flash briefing is updated daily by NHL Network hosts.
“We know NHL fans across North America enjoy using technology to keep up with the latest from around the League,” said Stephen McArdle, NHL Executive Vice President of Digital Media & Strategic Planning, in an NHL press release. “We always look for ways to engage with our fans in the most convenient way possible for them. The NHL skill on Amazon Alexa provides a fan-friendly experience providing helpful updates and information in real time.”
Alexa, when was Sidney Crosby drafted?
SportTechie Takeaway
Talk around Amazon’s integration into the sports industry usually centers on the company’s interest in streaming live sports. But the company’s AI capabilities, showcased by Alexa, also promise a huge potential impact on sports. Teams, leagues, and broadcasters can all gain fan-engagement value provided by voice-powered virtual AI assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Fantasy sports users on FanDuel can use Alexa to make predictions during NFL games, while the Golden State Warriors are taking steps to prepare for a time where fans can order beer inside a stadium via Alexa. Google Assistant, which is Amazon’s biggest rival in the smart speaker space, was integrated into live broadcast coverage of the MLB playoffs on Fox and TBS this past postseason.