The NHL, together with the NHL Players’ Association and sponsor SAP, has turned a modest student contest into a North‑American showcase for fresh ideas that make hockey more inclusive and sustainable.
A Platform for Change
Since its launch, the Hockey Innovation Competition has drawn participants from coast to coast, inviting college teams to tackle real‑world challenges in sport business, fan experience and community health.
The most recent final, held in San Jose, gathered 150 students representing 14 institutions. Six teams took the stage to pitch concepts ranging from educational tools to wellness programs and accessibility features.
Among the honorees, Puck Pulse earned the Innovator Award for a haptic system that lets visually impaired fans feel the action, while Cory La Roe received the Change Maker Award for designing live‑game experiences that welcome under‑represented audiences.
Winners walked away with $5,000 scholarships and a chance to network with industry leaders, underscoring the competition’s role in shaping the next generation of sports innovators.