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Getting Started
Getting Started
If you are interested in becoming a hockey official, this section is for you! It will provide you with all the information you need to get your officiating career STARTED.
The level system, Level I through VI, is the foundation for the training and development of amateur hockey officials across Canada. Hockey Canada has categorized the hockey played in Canada into four basic streams, each with different priorities.
They include:
Initiation
Recreational
Competitive
Program of Excellence
Becoming an Official
- The object of the Officiating Program shall be to provide efficient, well qualified officials for the game of hockey, within the area of jurisdiction as set out below. It shall also be the aim of this program to promote good fellowship among the officials, to aid and assist in the betterment of hockey and to maintain a high standard of relationship with association members, officials and coaches of the various teams, leagues to whom the referees shall make its services available.
- The structure of the Officiating Program shall be as follows: Officials must attend at least one (1) referee’s clinic during the year of certification or have transferred from another Hockey Canada Referees’ Branch Program and be able to meet the standards established within the officiating program
Equipment
- A member of the Officiating Program, in the course of duty as an Official, shall be neat and clean in appearance and is to be properly dressed at all times.
- Official dress shall include the official referee sweater with Branch crest(s), black trousers, polished skates and clean white laces, whistle(s), necessary protectors including CSA approved helmets (preferably black in colour), to which a CSA approved visor must be securely attached and not altered in any way, and a measuring device.
- The Official Referee and Linesman Sweater are to be Black and White. Referees shall wear red armbands.
Levels
Level 1
- To prepare a young or new official to officiate minor hockey
- An individual is certified at Level I with attendance and completion of a Level I clinic – eight (8) hours of instruction, minimum
- Completion of a national exam must be marked and returned prior to the completion of the clinic
- Minimum age to participate in the Level I clinic is 14 years old on or before December 31 of the current season
Level II
- To further enhance the training and skills of the minor hockey official.
- Must be a minimum of 16 years old as of December 31 of the current season
- Must attend all sessions of the Level II clinic, a minimum eight (8) hours in duration, and obtain a minimum of 70% on a written national exam to be marked and returned prior to the completion of the clinic
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor.
Level III
- To prepare officials capable of refereeing Minor Hockey playoffs, minor hockey Regional Playoffs and Female National Championship or being linesmen in Junior B, Senior, Bantam or Midget Regional Championships
- Must be fully certified at Level II and referee at least one year at that level in order to register for Level III
- Must attend and participate in all sessions at a Level III clinic, a minimum of eight hours of instruction, and must obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national examination, to be marked and returned prior to the completion of the clinic
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor
- Must be judged capable of refereeing in Minor Hockey Playoffs
Level IV
- To prepare hockey officials capable of refereeing Senior, Junior A, B, Minor Hockey Regional and National Championships, Female Hockey National Championships and designated Minor Hockey IIHF competition or being a linesman in Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIAU, CAAA, Inter-Branch and IIHF competitions
- Must be fully certified at Level III and referee one year at that level
- Must attend a Level IV Branch clinic, attendance is by invitation only
- Must attend and participate in all sessions of the Level IV clinic (minimum 14 hours), obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national exam
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor
Level V
- To prepare competent officials to referee Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIAU, CCAA, Inter Branch playoffs, Minor Hockey Regional or National Championships
- Must be fully certified at Level IV and referee one year at that level
- Must attend the Branch Level V seminar, a minimum of 14 hours of instruction, attendance is by invitation only
- Must participate in all sessions obtaining a mark of 90% on a written national exam
- Must be on ice evaluated by the BC Hockey Referee in Chief to complete certification
- Must undergo fitness and skating tests
Level VI
- To prepare competent officials capable of officiating at National championship finals and designated IIHF competition – these competitions include the Memorial Cup, RBC Royal Bank Cup, Allen Cup, World Championships, Olympics and others
- Branch nominations are submitted to the Hockey Canada National office and are reviewed by an established selection committee
- Must be fully certified at Level V (including fitness tests) and referee one year at that level
- Must attend and participate in all sessions of a Level VI clinic, minimum of four (4) days of instruction, and obtain a minimum of 90% on a written national examination
- Must pass a practical on-ice evaluation, performed by a national supervisor
- Must complete a written assignment assigned by the Hockey Canada Referee in Chief
- Delivery Level VI clinics are held based on national need for Level VIs. The Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating is responsible for the organization of the site and program, establishing criteria and review of the candidates qualifications
- Attempts are made to stage the clinic in conjunction with a major training program or early in the season, requesting cooperation from local leagues so officials are able to work scrimmages or games
May 18/2009 HNS Officiating Clinic(Pictou Co. Referee`s)
Levels 1-4 , to be held on Sunday, Sept.27 (9:00am-5:00pm )at Northumberland HS .
For more info contact Dave Lochead at 396-3431.