Message From The Hockey Canada Officiating Program
Message from the Hockey Canada Officiating Program
The role of the official is to ensure a safe and fair game for all participants.
The Hockey Canada Officiating Program offers opportunities for participants of all ages to be involved in hockey, beyond simply playing the game. By following the levels of development, along with hard work and dedication, officials can achieve their goals, while also finding fulfillment in making the game safe, fair, and fun for all participants.
The Officiating Pathway is the foundation for the training, development and advancement for all officials across Canada. The Officiating Pathway is designed to be inclusive and gender-neutral, provide a process to allow individuals to join at an appropriate level, provide equal opportunities for officials of the same skill level, and develop a national standard for all Members. The goal is to provide developmentally-appropriate experiences, mentorship, and opportunities for all officials.
The officiating programs of Hockey Canada’s Members and local associations are driven by the work of dedicated volunteers. Just like coaches and administrators, our volunteer mentors, assigners, and referees-in-chief work tirelessly to create positive environments for officials to develop their skills, give back to the game, and succeed both on and off the ice. To those volunteers, we are eternally grateful.
The intent of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules is to create a clear framework for safe and fair play that officials can apply to any situation. The Playing Rules are divided into two sections: Part I is titled “Technical Rules” and deals with the administrative and game flow-related elements of the game; Part II is titled “Gameplay Fouls”, which are rules where a penalty is assessed. The objective is to have a concise rulebook with consistent language and formatting throughout. Officials who study the Playing Rules will have the ability to apply the standard of safe and fair consistently, including in situations that may not be specifically outlined herein.
Officials are integral to the game, enforcing the standard of safe and fair play in arenas from coast to coast to coast. No matter what the level, without officials, there is no game. To all the officials who will take the ice this season, thank you for your dedication and commitment to hockey.
To get involved in officiating, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/officials or reach out to your Hockey Canada Member.