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Here’s another story about how a hockey team is using analytics to try and win more hockey games

Jimm Nill, Tom Gaglardi, Jim Lites

Dallas Stars owner and Governor Tom Gaglardi, left, and president and CEO Jim Lites, right, present Jim Nill, center, with a team jersey after a news conference where Nill was introduced as the team’s new general manager Monday, April 29, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

AP

A lot of you are probably getting tired of reading stories about hockey and so-called “advanced statistics.” But remember that how you perform when you’re tired is when you really find out what you’re made of, so here’s another story. Push yourself!

From the Dallas Morning News, on the Stars’ efforts to effectively analyze data under general manager Jim Nill:

Nill and his staff now use a computer program that does the work of at least 100 college students: it measures Corsi, giveaways/takeaways, scoring chances and a host of other stats. After each game, the coaching staff reviews the numbers then goes back to the film and tracks its own stats to look for any discrepancies.

At this point, most fans just want to know that their favorite team has entered the data age and isn’t relying solely on eyeballs to make player-personnel decisions. No, stats aren’t everything in hockey. But in 2014, they’ve grown to become something. And 10 years from now, they’ll be even more something. So you’d better keep up.

Besides, as Nill says, it’s “a lot easier to make a decision” when you have numbers to back it up.

Related:
Babcock on analytics: ‘I love the information’

Leafs hire 28-year-old stats advocate as assistant GM

Awareness of analytics a necessity for new NHL executives