What is the difference between supervision and mentorship of officials?
Guideline- Canada
- Hockey Canada
- Officiating
- Supervisors
- Officials
- 2026-27
- Referees
- Code of Conduct
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.
Added 25 Oct 2026