SVG Staff
SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology) has named Andrew C. Thomas as the company’s first director of data science. Thomas leads the analysis, interpretation and use of SMT’s data intelligence systems, including SMT’s OASIS Platform that enables SMT’s IR-PPT System for infrared puck and player tracking in the NHL.
A native of Scarborough, Canada, Thomas spent four seasons as lead hockey researcher for the Minnesota Wild, where he was responsible for data collection, player and team analysis, professional and amateur player personnel acquisition, contract negotiations and on-ice strategy for the organization.
Prior to joining the Minnesota Wild, Thomas co-founded WAR on Ice, an industry leading hockey analytics and data science research site. WAR on Ice built a comprehensive database of NHL statistics and player contracts utilizing interactive tables and unique, customizable visualizations. Thomas was an associate professor of data science at University of Florida in 2015, and, from 2009 to 2014, he was a faculty member of the Department of Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University.
Thomas earned his Ph.D. in statistics from Harvard University in 2009 and his Bachelor of Science in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004.
“With SMT’s long history as a market innovator in data collection, analysis, distribution and presentation of content, creating a Data Science Department to harness the data explosion in professional sports worldwide was the natural next step. We are excited to announce that Andrew is leading this initiative,” said SMT CEO and founder Gerard J. Hall. “SMT’s experienced and dedicated Data Science Department is already expanding the data science market with new analytics products and services.”