By: Tina Nguyen
Photo By: Mark Blinch / Getty Images
Analytics have not only become an area of interest for professional sports teams but their
fans as well. Following the conclusion of how advanced statistics could benefit the game, came
the captivation of many, both fans and personnel, who were intrigued by the impact of
evidence-based data decision making.
The process of communicating and learning about statistical analysis is no easy task.
There is an immense amount of skepticism and misunderstanding, and announcers do not convey
them in an accurate manner. In order to dive into the world of numbers in sport, there a few steps
that one could take.
Firstly, it is important to understand that analytics are a tool and only one of the steps that
are involved in evaluating the game and the players within it. There are several real-life
examples that demonstrate how the use of analytics contributed to success. The movie Moneyball
is a great representation of this, as it illustrated the unfair and unjust evaluation of players in
baseball due to external or physical factors.
The advancement of technology has resulted in an abundance of data that can be easily
accessed online by the public. As well, there are many tools available that can be used to analyze
the numbers and draw conclusions. Some examples include (re. the NHL), Moneypuck, a site
that has game models, predictions, team and individual statistics, and even data that can be
downloaded. CapFriendly and Hockey-Reference are websites that display advanced statistics
like Corsi and PDO, and CapFriendly has specific details of every contract in the National
Hockey League.
Data and statistics can then be converted into visuals; charts, graphs, heat maps, etc.
These methods can give people a better understanding of analytics as it is displayed in a way that
can be visually interpreted.
To begin the journey of following, tracking and above all, enjoying numbers in sport, it is
imperative to take a step back to acknowledge the value, benefits and truths of advanced metrics
and how accessible the information is with modern technology.
Work Cited
Turtoro, CJ. How Can We Close the Communication Gap Between Analytics and Classical
Hockey Fans? 4 Nov. 2020,
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