To Be Determined

To Be Determined is a concept for a hockey companion app that bridges the gap between real-time sports updates and fantasy league strategy—without the time sink or gambling risk.

Designed for casual fans, diehards, and everyone in between, TBD introduces a new kind of competition: one built on pre-game predictions, social connection, and a whole lot of bragging rights. Players lock in their calls—from first goals to fights—before the puck drops, and score points when they get it right. The more you know the game, the higher you climb the leaderboard.

With zero pressure to draft or manage rosters, TBD invites users to engage with the sport on their terms. Because sometimes, the best part of hockey isn’t what already happened—it’s what’s about to.

No betting, just bragging rights. Compete, connect, and celebrate the game like never before.

Designed by Leo Cronin-Barrow, Developed by Ben Morley

Designed and developed as part of our DESN 443 and CMPT 496 classes

A mobile app concept designed to improve engagement with NHL games through community-based prediction gameplay

Problem space

Traditional fantasy sports platforms are often designed for seasoned fans—requiring deep knowledge of player stats, rosters, and long-term strategy. For casual viewers, the complexity can feel more like a barrier than a game.

At the same time, real-time hockey apps like the NHL’s official platform provide an overwhelming amount of data—scores, schedules, trades, and top plays—but lack a sense of personal engagement or friendly competition. Prediction-focused apps do exist, but they typically center on sports betting and real money, narrowing their audience even further.

Coming into the project with zero background in hockey, I approached the problem with a beginner’s mindset—asking foundational questions and seeking to understand how casual fans relate to the sport. We conducted user and problem space research early on, and the core game concept was shaped by ongoing informal testing with Ben’s family—the original inspiration for the app. While we weren’t able to conduct formal usability testing on the digital prototype during the semester, these insights helped ensure our direction resonated with the intended audience.

Existing prediction apps typically have money and betting as a barrier

Traditional fantasy league spaces require deep knowledge to play effectively

Real time information apps, like the official NHL app, lack the social engagement that comes from fantasy leagues and similar spaces

Our Solution

To Be Determined reimagines the competitive sports app experience by centering it around a single, intuitive mechanic: game-by-game predictions. Rather than having users draft players or manage rosters, TBD simplifies fantasy-style engagement by allowing players to follow real NHL teams and make predictions about specific in-game events—like first goals or penalties—right up until puck drop. Predictions and point values are standardized across all games, so users only need to track their score and rank on the leaderboard, not juggle multiple stat types or scoring rules.

The design prioritizes usability and accessibility, especially for fans who are newer to hockey. Live game data—like dates, scores, and start times—is surfaced clearly and consistently, and the interface guides users through the prediction process with minimal friction. Whether someone’s following their hometown team or playing along with friends across the country, TBD makes it easy to jump in, make your picks, and see how your instincts stack up—no spreadsheets or sports encyclopedias required.

Simplified gameplay for casual fans

Clean, user-first interface

Accessible and inclusive design