Referee Clinics

Time to become a referee - help the sport that you enjoyed your whole life!!

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The Hockey Tournament Resource
September 01, 2025

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Salute to the Stripes

Upon the ice where tempers flare,
And skates cut deep through frosty air,
Stand guardians cloaked in black and white,
The keepers of balance, of fair and right.

They whistle sharply, they wave their hand,
Guiding chaos with steady command.
When the crowd roars loudly with doubt or cheer,
They face the noise, but never veer.

It’s easy to grumble, to point, to blame,
But without their watch, there is no game.
Respect the call, the courage, the view,
For referees guard the love we pursue.

So tip your hat, or tap your stick,
A simple gesture, subtle, quick.
For in their stripes, they bear the weight,
To let our battles be decided by fate.

Compliment them—though it’s rarely said,
They keep the game honest, the spirit fed.
And when the puck drops, fast and true,
The game owes much to the stripes… not just the crew.

Thank You Referees

Referee Clinics

If you are interested in becoming an on-ice official, this is for you! It will provide all the information needed to get your officiating career started.

The level system, ranging from Level I to Level VI, serves as the foundation for the training and development of 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 

The Hockey Canada Officiating Program offers opportunities for everyone, from Initiation at Level I, through to the Program of Excellence at Levels V and VI. 

Select a level and start officiating! 

Certification Procedures

Certification at all levels, except Level I, is a two-part process that involves both clinical and practical assessments. The official must attend all clinic sessions and obtain the minimum mark on the examination. 

The practical assessment portion is the most difficult to apply consistently across the entire program. It is strongly recommended that all supervisors be provided with a copy of the Hockey Canada Officiating Procedures Manual to ensure a consistent approach to this task. 

Certification is not complete until both phases – clinical and practical – have been completed. 

General Certification Rules:

Certification at any level with the Hockey Canada Officiating Program does not make an official automatically eligible for entry to the next level (except Level I). Demonstrating ability or potential ability is necessary to advance to the next level. 

Being certified at any one level does not necessarily mean an official will be able to officiate all categories of Hockey defined at that level. Conversely, an official does not have to officiate all categories of Hockey at a certain level to gain certification at that level. 

Where it has been determined (through supervision) that an official is no longer able to officiate at a certain level, they will be certified at a new, lower level in line with their present ability. 

An individual must be at least 16 years old to be certified at Level II or higher. 

Re-Certification Procedures

Once certified, an official must continue to update and be thoroughly familiar with new rule interpretations and officiating techniques. 

To maintain their current level of certification, officials must attend a full Hockey Canada officiating program clinic and pass a national examination every year, earning a passing mark. An open-book exam is not acceptable for recertification purposes. 

Should an official fail the Level IV, V, or VI examination, the Member shall be authorized to allow them to write a supplementary examination during the current season. The second exam will differ from the first and originate from Hockey Canada's head office. Only those officials whose supplementary examinations are successful and sent to the Hockey Canada head office shall be eligible to officiate at the regional playoffs. 

An official will not be eligible to advance more than one level of the Hockey Canada officiating program per season, except for Levels I and II. Certification at the higher level cannot be granted until one year has passed. 

When an official has not officiated for one season or more, they must attend a full Hockey Canada Officiating Program clinic at the appropriate level and complete a practical assessment. 

When a Level VI official has not officiated for a season or more and wants to regain Level VI status, they must first obtain Level V status within the Member. They may then apply to the Hockey Canada manager of officiating for Level VI certification through their Member Referee-In-Chief, which requires the successful completion of the Level VI examination and an on-ice evaluation by a national supervisor. 

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