Imagine if horse racing brought together the brightest minds from every corner of the sport while simultaneously challenging the public to analyze a set of free data that might be useful in ways not previously imagined or implemented.
Such an event is almost entirely unprecedented in horse racing, but other sports are launching their own attempts at this very scenario.
The Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Analytics Conference (CBJHAC) attempts to “showcase state-of-the-art research happening in the hockey analytics community and explore the use of data-driven analysis being done by industry professionals today.” As the event’s own website states, the conference is open to anyone with an interest in statistical analysis or hockey, and with any level of experience or knowledge.
The first day of the conference is dedicated to presentations from industry professionals and hockey analytic experts. There are also discussions with NHL executives about their use and application of analytics and research in the game. The day ends with the chance to attend a Columbus Blue Jackets game.
The second day of the conference is an invitation-based contest, predicated on a pre-event registration process, where attendees will attempt to solve a hockey-related problem with data provided to them from Sportlogiq, a company that delivers advanced analytics in sports, providing individual and team data, with AI-driven insights on team performance, trends, and systems.
According to the site, “competition participants will have access to a half-season of AHL data as well as an expected goals model provided by Sportlogiq with the goal of providing analysis and insight on an actionable idea within the hockey landscape, (for example: what is the most effective way to defend in the neutral zone?)”
Solutions are shared in private sessions with executives from participating NHL franchises.
For more information on the CBJHAC, visit their site.
Header image from NHL/Columbus Blue Jackets