What authority does the referee have, and what is the referee responsible for before and after a game?

Authority: the referee has full authority and the final decision in all matters under dispute. Decisions on questions of judgement are final and not subject to appeal (Rule 5.1 (c)). Referees and linespersons must be thoroughly impartial (Rule 5.1 (f)) and are the official representatives of Hockey Canada or the Member in which the game is played (Rule 5.2 (a)). All referees are affiliated with, and under the control of, the Member for which they are officiating (Rule 5.1 (e)).

Duties under Rule 5.2:

• Call the teams to the ice at the appointed time for the game and each regulation and overtime period, and stay on the ice at the end of each period until the players have gone to their dressing rooms.
• Check a player's equipment when the coach of either team asks through the captain.
• Assess all penalties as prescribed by the rules, consulting the linespersons if necessary.
• Give the final decision on disputed goals, consulting the linespersons and the goal judge if necessary.
• Before the game, make sure the game timekeeper, penalty timekeeper, official scorer and goal judges are in position.
• Announce to the official scorer the duration of penalties, the rule infractions, and who is credited with goals and assists.
• Where possible, separate players of opposing teams on the penalty bench to prevent feuding.
• After the game, check and sign the Official Game Report and return it to the official scorer.
• Stop play if an official accidentally leaves the ice or is injured in a way that affects their duties.

Penalties off the ice: any player or team official may be assessed penalties before, during or after a game for an offence committed on the ice or off the ice before entering the dressing rooms (Rule 4.1 (a)).

Source: Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, Rules 5.1 and 5.2. https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Officiating/Downloads/2026-28-hc-rulebook-e.pdf