BECOME A HOCKEY OFFICIAL

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
In the Toronto area there are a number of hockey associations. The Greater

Toronto Hockey League

(GTHL) offers many

referee clinics

for new and senior

referees

. You may click the link below for more information on GTHL

referee clinics.

ATTEND A REFEREE CLINIC
You will be required to attend a

beginner referee clinic

where you will learn the basics of officiating. After a learning session, you may be required to take an exam. You might also be required to participate in an on-ice session.

GETTING IN THE GAME
Be sure to ask at the clinic or when you contact your local hockey association about getting in some games.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
It's a good idea to start by officiating some low level

hockey games

so you can work on the

basics of officiating

. At first your positioning will not come automatic, but after officiating a few

hockey games

your skating, positioning, and procedures will become easier. At that point you can start to work on the finer points of reffing - like standards and game management.

For information on

clinics in the Toronto area

check the Greater

Toronto Hockey League's

website. GTHL Ref's Crease

Have a question about officiating? Contact us for more information.

HOCKEY CANADA RULES EMPHASIS

The 2006 – 2007 Rules Emphasis has been approved by the Hockey Canada Board of Directors, and mandates that all Canadian Hockey participants are to adhere to these guidelines. Through

the new standard of the rules

enforcement, our game will continue to allow the opportunity for improved skill development and provide positive hockey experiences.

The mission of

Hockey Canada

is clear; the game will be improved through the application of the new standard of enforcement and rules emphasis.

• The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player's progress
• It is imperative that coaches teach the players that the stick can only be used to play the puck

  STANDARD OF PLAY

  RESTRAINING FOULS

  Hooking / Tripping Holding / Interference

  These penalties are to be called with very strict enforcement.

  Hooking/Tripping examples include:

  • Tugs or hooks on the body or arms that has in anyway impeded the player.
  • Locking on
  • Hooks causing loss of balance, puck control and position or advantage of position.
  • Tripping of a player will be penalized with a strict enforcement.
  • The use of the stick between a player's legs (can-opener/corkscrew) for impeding progress, loss of balance or tripping is to be penalized.

  Holding / Interference examples include:

  • The use of the free arm/hand to clutch, grab, hold, hold the stick, pin or impede a player is to be penalized.
  • Interference of a player will be penalized with a strict enforcement.
  • The use of a "pick" or a "block" is no longer permitted.

  STICK FOULS

  Cross-Checking Slashing

  The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.

  Sticks are not to be used to cross-check or slash opponents, these fouls will be penalized with a strict enforcement.

  Cross-Checking/Slashing examples include:

  • The use of a stick to slash an opponent's body or hands.
  • Cross-checking an opponent will be penalized with a strict enforcement including fouls in front of the net.

  RULES EMPHASIS

  SHARED RESPECT

  The “SHARED RESPECT INITIATIVE” calls for the participants in the game to respect one another. The intent of

  Hockey Canada

  is to enforce a standard of play that promotes an exciting and fun game for all its partners. All partners share an equal responsibility to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld. Through this process of change, the onus is not only on our

  game officials

  but all its participants. Positive changes in our great game can only happen through this improved standard of play. We ALL play a role in supporting the improvement of our game.

  CHECKING TO THE HEAD

  Contact physically or with a stick to another players’ head area.

  Deliberate checks to the head remain to be a major problem in today's game. Concussions not only deprive players of playing time, they end players' careers and can have long term effects. Checks to the Head demonstrate a lack of respect and fair play and must be penalized. Any moderate or severe blow to the head must be penalized with a Minor Penalty and a Misconduct or a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct for Checking to the Head as concussions and other head injuries are having a major impact on the game. A Match penalty could also be assessed under this rule. These are aggressive fouls and must be called at ALL occurrences during the

  hockey game

  , including shorthanded situations. Whether it is elbowing, high sticking, roughing or cross-checking, hits to the head are an intentional act of violence and must be treated with zero tolerance on the part of the official at all times.

  CHECKING FROM BEHIND

  Referees

  need to continue to work to eliminate any contact from behind, as the resulting injuries, especially to the head and neck can be catastrophic. It is a dangerous and cowardly act. It is imperative that coaches instruct their players to STOP and eliminate all checking from behind. Strict application of this rule is needed to remove this foul from our game.

  Click next to read more about the new standard of play....