Referee Supervisor's Guide to Hockey Canada Officiating Program 2026-27

Hockey Canada's Canadian Hockey Official Mentorship Program resource manual defines them this way:

• Supervision: a formal evaluation and development tool to assess an official's skills and abilities.
• Mentorship: an informal approach to promote an ongoing relationship for the purpose of personal growth within the roles and responsibilities of an official.

The Officiating Pathway adds that Members and local hockey associations may run programs where officials get coaching and mentoring to review their in-game performance and receive coaching tips through the year, supported by the Member or local referee-in-chief. They may also offer in-season development camps or sessions. Level 3 and MHP officials may be asked to help mentor younger officials.

Sources: Canadian Hockey Official Mentorship Program Resource Manual (Canadian Hockey Association, 2001), section 1.3; Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway, Coaching, Mentoring and Development sections.

The Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook describes an Official's Evaluation Form, used for each official evaluated, with five parts:

1. General information on the official and the game.
2. Evaluation scale.
3. Strengths.
4. Weaknesses.
5. Comments.

Scale: Outstanding 4, Good 3, Satisfactory 2, Fair 1, Unsatisfactory 0. A rating of Fair or Unsatisfactory requires a written explanation.

Items scored on the sample form: rule knowledge, fitness, appearance and presence, skating ability, positioning, signals, procedures, attitude, reaction to pressure, and rapport and communication. Referees are also scored on feel for the game (penalty selection) and judgement, consistency and standard. Linespersons are also scored on teamwork and awareness, judgement and face-offs.

Parts 3 to 5 are the most important: they are where the supervisor details specific observations, notes suggestions discussed with the official, and makes recommendations or comments to the office. The key is to give officials as much written feedback as possible to refer to later.

Sign the form once it is completed, and have the official evaluated sign it too. The handbook notes the sample is one type of form, that it may not be ideal for younger officials, and that associations may use other forms.

Source: Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook (Canadian Hockey Association, revised June 2001), Assessment of Officials.

The supervisor's handbook groups these under personal characteristics.

Appearance and presence: does the official look like an athlete, show positive body language, and have presence on stoppages (physical and verbal)? Other factors: grooming, appropriate dress on arrival at the rink, good equipment, enthusiasm, and authority and confidence in decisions made. Overall physical conditioning and posture also count.

Composure and maturity: as game intensity rises, does the official stay cool, calm and consistent, or show inconsistent decisions or loss of composure? In a one-sided game, does the official keep hustling, or coast, turn lenient toward the losing team or lose interest? With younger, inexperienced players the official should be friendly and helpful yet firm. As players become more experienced, the official should limit discussions with players and deal with the captains and alternate captains.

Attitude: enthusiasm and professionalism, decisions that are firm and decisive but not arrogant, approachability, fairness, firmness with politeness, confidence, dedication and consistency. The handbook also asks whether the official is open to feedback in the post-game supervision discussion.

Source: Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook (Canadian Hockey Association, revised June 2001), Guidelines for Assessing Personal Characteristics.

The supervisor's handbook has guidelines for ten areas of competence:

1. Skating ability: pursuit of play, acceleration forward and backward, agility and balance, starting, stopping and turning in both directions, crossovers, body position, and avoiding puck and player movement.
2. Positioning: linespersons are checked during play and at face-offs. For referees, five areas: play in the end zone around the goal, breakouts into the neutral zone, play crossing the opposite blue line, play on the referee's side versus the opposite side, and stoppages. In the two-official system, check the diagonal relationship (never more than two lines apart) and communication between partners.
3. Signals: whistle, hand and verbal signals that are crisp and used at the right time. For a penalty, the official blows the whistle, comes to a stationary position, points out the penalized player, states the number, sweater colour and infraction, and uses the correct signal.
4. Face-offs: players stopped, feet inside the restraining lines, sticks down and stopped before the puck is dropped, and no delay once they are.
5. Application of rules: consistency, common sense and applying the rules in the spirit or intent of the governing body.
6. Penalty calls: firmness and decisiveness, no hostile or intimidating behaviour, and consistent, sound judgement.
7. Judgement: the handbook says all "impact" calls must be called and "marginal" calls avoided.
8. Game control: taking charge rather than reacting after the fact, and maintaining the movement of the game rather than over-controlling it with technical calls.
9. Reaction under pressure: staying in character, firm but fair from the opening face-off, and handling tough calls such as a disallowed goal.
10. Teamwork.

The handbook also notes that the supervisor's vantage point in the stands differs from the official's on the ice, which should be considered when giving feedback.

Source: Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook (Canadian Hockey Association, revised June 2001), Guidelines for Assessing Officials Competence.

The supervisor's handbook says it depends on the game, the officials and the reason for supervising:

• Experienced officials: if seeing them in the referees' room before the game will not upset them, it may be fine to do so.
• Inexperienced officials: if knowing they are being supervised could influence them, it may be better not to see them until after the game.
• Assessing after adverse reports: stay inconspicuous and observe without the official knowing they are being assessed. After the game it is permissible to discuss their work in that game.

Communication tips from the handbook:

1. Be honest: do not tell officials one thing and report another.
2. Be objective, and if you report something critical, offer a method or solution.
3. Listen, so there is no misunderstanding of your comments.
4. Be sympathetic with inexperienced officials.
5. It is usually acceptable for linespersons to listen in when you talk to the referee, but for a very critical discussion you may want to talk only with the referee.
6. Talk to both linespersons in the presence of the referee, to encourage teamwork. In the two-official system, talk to both officials at the same time.
7. Never be openly critical of game officials or the association you represent.
8. Keep your report and comments private: the report is confidential.
9. Be beyond reproach in your actions and comments.

Never influence an official's decision, or cause them to change it, during or after a game. The final decision on all game matters rests with the officials on the ice.

Source: Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook (Canadian Hockey Association, revised June 2001), Communicating with Officials and Qualities of an Effective Supervisor.

The pathway has five stages: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Member High Performance (MHP) and National High Performance (NHP). Hockey Canada groups hockey into five streams: Introduction, Recreational, Competitive, High Performance and Adult Recreational.

• Level 1: entry point for the Introduction and Recreational levels. Minimum age 12 as of December 31 of the current season (a Member may permit 11-year-olds, limited to cross-ice hockey until 12). Officials can work one age group below their own age category. They register with Hockey University (eHockey) and complete the certification requirements. Level 1 officials should start in the cross-ice or two-official system, and in three- or four-official systems should be assigned the linesperson role first.
• Level 2: lower levels of Competitive hockey. Minimum age 15 as of December 31 of the current season, or two years at Level 1 with the skills and maturity to advance, with Member approval. Officials can work at least one age group below their own (a 15-year-old can work U13 and below). New Level 2 officials aged 18 or over may be assigned any recreational hockey they are considered capable of, or lower levels of competitive.
• Level 3: higher levels of Competitive and early High Performance hockey. Advancement is by recommendation of the Member officiating development program, and candidates pass a Member-delivered National Officiating exam. Officials entering Level 3 should have very good skating and communication skills. Ideally an official spends two seasons at Level 2, but Members can advance officials who meet the criteria sooner.
• MHP: by invitation from the Member program. Camp format of 15 to 20 hours (classroom, workgroup sessions, on-ice skating and off-ice fitness assessments, written exam). Minimum 85% on the written exam.
• NHP: by nomination from the Member and invitation to the national certification seminar. Minimum 90% on the written exam, plus skating and fitness proficiency. NHP officials are eligible for assignments at Hockey Canada national championships, and top-ranked officials may be eligible for IIHF licensing.

Source: Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway (hc-officiating-pathway-e.pdf), implemented for the 2021-22 season.

Officials at Levels 1, 2 and 3 must register and re-certify annually with Hockey Canada. As part of re-certification they attend a Member-hosted clinic (classroom or virtual, as the Member decides) and:

• Level 1: complete or participate in a Hockey Canada curriculum assessment exercise.
• Level 2: achieve at least 70% on the Hockey Canada quiz or examination.
• Level 3: achieve at least 80% on the Hockey Canada quiz or examination.

Member High Performance and National High Performance officials register annually with their Member. The pathway says they are only required to attend a Member re-certification clinic bi-annually in a rule change year, and to attend a Member-hosted clinic (classroom or virtual) every two years, as determined by the Member. NHP officials also take part each year in a Hockey Canada national officials webinar.

Hockey Canada and the Members set the education modules each year.

Source: Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway (hc-officiating-pathway-e.pdf), Certification sections for each level.

The Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway says:

• Level 2 to Level 3: advancement is a decision made by the Member officiating development program. It may follow the Member and local hockey association identifying that the official meets or exceeds Level 2 performance levels, which may be done through on-ice evaluations and performance. The Member program recommends the official, and officials who feel ready may also ask through their local referee-in-chief or the Member program.
• Member High Performance (MHP): entry is by invitation from the Member officiating development program. To certify, officials must attend an MHP camp, score at least 85% on the written exam, meet the skating and fitness assessments, and complete an in-game evaluation by a Member officiating coach or supervisor.
• National High Performance (NHP): selection begins with a nomination from the Member officiating development program. Hockey Canada Officiating Program leadership reviews the nominations to check minimum qualifications and standards, then the Hockey Canada referee-in-chief and a national officiating advisory committee consider nominated officials for invitation to the national certification seminar.

Source: Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway (hc-officiating-pathway-e.pdf), Levels 2 and 3, Member High Performance and National High Performance. The pathway model was implemented for the 2021-22 season.

Hockey Canada's Code of Conduct Policy defines "Referees" as anyone who serves as an on-ice referee or linesperson, or as a supervising off-ice referee, at a Hockey Canada Program. They are Covered Persons under the Code.

Referees must:

• maintain and update their knowledge of the rules and rule changes;
• not publicly criticize other referees;
• work within the boundaries of their position's description while supporting other referees;
• act as an ambassador of the sport by agreeing to enforce and abide by national and provincial or territorial rules and regulations;
• take ownership of actions and decisions made while refereeing;
• respect the rights, dignity and worth of all Hockey Canada athletes, staff and team personnel;
• act openly, impartially, professionally, lawfully and in good faith;
• be fair, equitable, considerate, independent, honest and impartial in all dealings with others;
• respect the confidentiality required by sensitive issues, which may include discipline processes, appeals, and specific information about athletes, staff or team personnel;
• comply with their obligations under Hockey Canada's Screening and Compliance Policy, including fully cooperating in the screening process;
• honour all assignments unless unable to because of illness or personal emergency, and in that case inform a supervisor at the earliest possible time;
• set out the facts to the best of their knowledge and recollection when writing reports; and
• dress in proper attire for officiating.

The Code also says Hockey Canada requires individuals in positions of trust, or in roles involving regular contact with minors, including officials, team personnel and staff, to complete screening before participating and periodically afterwards. Screening may include a criminal record and vulnerable sector check, reference checks, an interview, a disclosure form and required training. Covered Persons must also disclose to a Hockey Canada representative any ongoing criminal investigation, charge, conviction or bail or release condition that may affect their suitability to participate.

Source: Hockey Canada Code of Conduct Policy (version 5.0), Definitions, Referees and Screening Requirements.

Two Hockey Canada sources apply, and they cover different things.

Policy matters raised with a supervisor. The Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook says supervisors will be confronted by players and team officials in some situations, and must not become involved in policy matters. They should refer problems relating to policy to the appropriate league or branch authority. It also says a supervisor must never influence an official's decision or cause an official to change it during or after a game, because the final decision on all game matters rests with the officials on the ice. (This handbook is the Canadian Hockey Association's 2001 edition, published on cdn.hockeycanada.ca. It uses the term "branch".)

Complaints of Prohibited Behaviour, including maltreatment. Under Hockey Canada's Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy (effective July 1, 2026):

• Officials are within the policy's definitions of National Participant and Member Participant.
• Any individual or organization can submit a complaint, but must give their full name and contact information.
• Complaints against a Canadian Safe Sport Program participant must first go to Sport Integrity Canada (SIC).
• Complaints against a Member Participant go directly to the provincial or territorial safe sport body if one applies, or otherwise to Hockey Canada's Independent Third-Party (ITP).
• Complaints are made in writing through the ITP's online form, linked from the home page of Hockey Canada's website.
• If Hockey Canada, a Member or an MHA receives a complaint directly, it redirects it to the ITP only if the complainant consents in writing.

Sources: Supervisor's handbook (CHA, 2001), Role of the Supervisor; Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy, paragraphs 7 and 9 to 11.