Toronto Maple Leafs Agree Analytics Partnership with SAS

National Hockey League (NHL) franchise Toronto Maple Leafs have today announced a partnership business analytics company SAS.

This is the latest phase in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ move towards an analytics-focused approach to complement traditional hockey decision-making. Prior to working with SAS, the team had already started to invest considerable resources in analytics technologies and data insights. For 2014/2015, the Toronto Maple Leafs have now turned to SAS, a global leader in analytics, to further power their data analysis capabilities and develop more effective data-based performance insights for the new season.

“This partnership will add a valuable layer of context to our decision-making process,” said Kyle Dubas, Assistant General Manager, Toronto Maple Leafs. “Analytics are a big part of the future of sport, and we’re excited to add SAS’ sports analytics platform to complement our overall hockey evaluation process. Led by General Manager Dave Nonis and President Brendan Shanahan, we’re bringing a fresh method to approaching all aspects of our team development and strategy this season.”

The Maple Leafs will leverage SAS Analytics including data visualization to empower a data driven approach to maximize team potential; applying analytics to support: drafting, contract negotiations, on ice strategy and performance style of play and more.

“We are ecstatic to have the world’s number one hockey brand partner with the number one brand in analytics,” said Carl Farrell, President SAS Canada EVP SAS Americas. “As the powerhouse in business analytics SAS is well positioned to support the growing needs of the Toronto Maple Leafs as they evolve to becoming one of the most innovative teams in hockey, analyzing data to drive better performance outcomes.”