ON-ICE AND OFF-ICE OFFICIALS
Officiating can be a fun but challenging experience. Officials work together as a team and are equal participants in the game of hockey and are necessary to lead this fast-paced competitive sport.
On-Ice Officiating will challenge you to physically move yourself into position to view the game, then require you to apply good judgment and the courage to make the right call.
Off-Ice Officiating will challenge you mentally as you manage penalized players, the timeclock and properly complete the game sheet.
All positions may challenge you emotionally when having to potentially deal with emotional participants or spectators.
Officials will be mentored/coached and supported throughout the season in various ways- shadowed on ice, coached in between periods or after the game or available to answer questions.
Officiating can be a pastime, a recreation or occupation. Officials may choose to work at the grass roots level, or they may continue to pursue officiating in a high-performance role.
Hockey is an inclusive community and officiating is no different. Being an Official is a role where you can start as a team member and develop life-long friendships.
OFF-ICE OFFICIALS - timekeepers - information
The Off-Ice Official, also known as the Timekeeper, is responsible for the proper completion of the game sheet, control of the time clock, as well as keeping the time served by each penalized player. All Hockey Winnipeg Timekeepers are required to register each year, including those that are exempt from writing an exam.
Timekeepers LEVELS:
- Brand new timekeepers (1st year), regardless of age- register as “Level 1, Year 1” and attend an in-person clinic
- 2nd year of timekeeping- register as “Level 1, Year 2” and attend an online clinic
- 3rd year of timekeeping- register as “Level 2” and attend an online clinic
- 4th and subsequent years- register as “Clinic not Required”. Sign up online at no charge with no clinic to attend but will still be in Hockey Winnipeg’s system as a certified, Off-Ice Official
REGISTERING for ALL:
- Must be at least 13 years old to register
- Email Referee-in-Chief and fill out paperwork provided. Successful applicants will be given a code
- SSign up for a clinic using the code provided to you from the Referee-In-Chief
- Attend a Timekeeper’s clinic and pass the exam
Timekeeper CLINICS:
- Timekeeper Clinics are scheduled by Hockey Winnipeg and posted September/October
- Clinics are on a first come first serve basis, so even if you’ve received a code to register, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get a spot in a clinic. Register early! - http://www.hockeywinnipeg.ca Under the “Events” tab, select “Timekeeper Clinics”
On-ICE OFFICIALS - referees - information
The On-Ice Officials, also called Referees and Linespeople, work together and are responsible to enforce the rules of the game and ensure that the game is played fairly. All Hockey Manitoba On-Ice Officials are required to register each year.
Games can be officiated as a 2-Official system with 2 Referees; 3-Official system with 1 Referee and 2 Linespeople; or 4-Official system with 2 Referees and 2 Linespeople
NEW TO OFFICIATING (any age):
- Must complete Hockey University-Officiating 1/2
- This must be completed PRIOR to REGISTERING for an officiating clinic. The HCR system will not allow you to register for a clinic until online component is completed
- Hockey Canada Registry (HCR 3.0) https://register.hockeycanada.ca/home > “Register for Clinics”> under Hockey Manitoba, HU-ONLINE
REGISTERING:
Ref Clinics are scheduled by Hockey Manitoba and posted August/September
- Go to hockeymanitoba.ca > Officials > Clinics to find the course you want to attend. You can attend any clinic in Manitoba
- Make sure all pre-requisites are completed prior to registering (see Levels below)
- All On-Ice Officials must register and re-certify annually with Hockey Canada, through Hockey Manitoba
INFORMATION FOR ALL OFFICIALS
GAME ASSIGNMENTS:
- Once you have completed and passed your course, email your Referee-In-Chief.
- You will receive an email and our new Officials will receive a Goalline invite
- Officials will be assigned games depending on their availability, through our current system, Goalline.
- It is each Official’s responsibility to keep their availability up to date
OFFICIATING LEVELS - Hockey Canada, Hockey Manitoba:
The Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway is the foundation for all officials across the country. Level 1 > Level 2 > Level 3 > Member High Performance > National High Performance
BHockey Canada has categorized hockey into five basic streams, each with different priorities. They include Introduction, Recreational, Competitive, High Performance, Adult Recreational.
By following the levels of development, and with hard work and dedication, Officials can find fulfillment in their advancement while making the game safe, fair, and fun.
LEVEL 1: This is the entry point for officials as they begin their officiating career at the Introduction and Recreational levels.
Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level 1 Official:
- Officials must be at least 12 years of age as of December 31 of the current season
- Individuals NEW to the officiating program must complete Hockey University-Officiating (HU)
- Officials will be required to purchase basic officiating equipment as laid out in Hockey University
- Must attend a Level I clinic and a mandatory on ice session
- Pass exam
Note: If you do not complete the MANDATORY in-person clinic by December 1st, you will not be certified for the season.
See Hockey Manitoba for more information
LEVEL 2: Enhances the development of officials in areas of core procedures and rule knowledge at the lower levels of Competitive hockey.
Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level 2 Official:
- Officials must be a minimum 15 years of age as of December 31 of the current season OR have successfully officiated for two years at Level 1 and shown to have the skills and maturity to advance to Level 2 with approval of your Regional Officiating Coordinator
- Officials may begin at Level 2 provided they are a minimum 15 years of age as of December 31 of the current season and still required to complete Hockey University prior to registering
- Officials will be required to purchase basic officiating equipment as laid out in Hockey University
- Must attend a Level 2 clinic and a mandatory on ice session
- Pass the exam
Note: If you do not complete the MANDATORY in-person clinic by December 1st, you will not be certified for the season.
LEVEL 3: This level is designed for officials who have been recognized as being ready to move into the higher levels of Competitive and early levels of High-Performance hockey. The goal for Level 3 is to further develop officials in the areas of core procedures, rule knowledge and game management.
Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level 3 Official:
- Must be a minimum of 17 years of age as of December 31st of the current year
- Recommendation of local Referee-in-Chief to advance from Level 2 to Level 3
- Must be certified with Respect in Sport Program for Activity Leaders
- Must complete the Level 3 Online Course
Must pass exam (sent via email after registration)
LEVELS Member High Performance and National High Performance:
Visit hockeymanitoba.ca for more information about these levels
How and where to submit a Hockey Winnipeg Official’s Report: