Officials
Objectives
- To standardize the methods and techniques of officiating in both the two and three official systems.
- To acquire uniformity throughout the country with respect to rule interpretation.
- To offer participants national recognition for their achievements.
It is mandatory that all Branches and hockey officials in the country participate and follow the guidelines in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program.
The HCOP program is structured into six program levels.
LEVEL 1
Purpose
- To prepare a young or new official to officiate Minor Hockey
Certification
- An individual is certified at Level 1 with attendance and completion of a Level 1 Clinic.
- Completion of a national examination at the clinic is marked and handed in prior to completion of the clinic.
Upon completion of the Level 1 requirements, the official will receive a certificate and a card.
LEVEL II
Purpose
• To further enhance the training and skills of minor Hockey officials.
Certification
•A person must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age to obtain level II status.$ Must attend and participate in all sessions of the Level II clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 70% on a written national examination at the clinic (exam must be handed in prior to completion of the clinic).
Upon completion of the Level II requirements, the official will receive a Level II sticker (to be affixed to the certificate received with Level I) and a certification card.
*Note* A novice official, sixteen (16) years of age or older, may obtain Level I and II certification in one year based on ability. This is the only opportunity within the Hockey Canada Officiating Program to accomplish two levels in one year. This is designed to encourage persons with playing or coaching experience to consider officiating.
LEVEL III
Purpose
•To prepare officials capable of refereeing minor Hockey Playoffs, Minor Hockey Regional Playoffs, and Female National Championships, or being linesmen in Junior B,C.,D, Senior and Bantam or Midget Regional Championships.
Certification
- Must be fully certified at Level II and have refereed one year at that Level.
- Must attend and participate in all sessions at a Level III clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national examination at the clinic which is handed in prior to the completion of clinic.
- Must be judged capable of refereeing in minor Hockey Playoffs.
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch HCOP supervisor.
Upon successful completion of Level III (clinic, examination and on-ice evaluation), the official will receive a Level III sticker and certification card.
LEVEL IV
Purpose
•To prepare hockey officials capable of refereeing Senior, Junior A,B,C,D, Minor Hockey Regional and National Championships, Female Hockey National Championships and designated Minor Hockey IIHF competition, or being a linesman in Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIS, CCAA, Inter-Branch and IIHF competition.
Certification
- Must be fully certified at Level III and referee one year at that level.
- Attendance at Level IV will be by Branch invitation only.
*Note* Certification at Level III does not automatically make one eligible for Level IV.
LEVEL V
Purpose
•To prepare competent officials to referee Major Junior, Junior A, Senior A, CIS, and related Inter-Branch Playoffs.
Certification
- Must be fully certified at Level IV and have refereed a minimum of one year at that level.
- Attendance at Level V will be by Branch invitation only.
*Note* Certification at Level IV does not automatically make one eligible for Level V
LEVEL VI
Purpose
- To prepare competent officials capable of refereeing at National Championship finals and designated IIHF competition (i.e. Memorial Cup, Royal Band Cup, Allan Cup, Hardy Cup, CIS University Cup, CCAA finals, World Championships, Olympics, FISU Games).
Certification
- Branch nominations are submitted to the Hockey Canada National Office and are reviewed by an established selection committee.
*Note* Level VI clinics are held based on national need for Level VI's. The Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating, is responsible for the organization of the program establishing criteria and review of the candidates' qualification.
Examination Procedures - All Levels
Beginning at Level II, a passing mark on the exam is established and a candidate cannot be certified at this or higher levels until this passing grade is met. Following is a breakdown for each level:
Level I Complete Questions 1-35
Level II 70%
Level III 80%
Level IV 80%
Level V 90%
Level VI 90%
*Note* When an individual fails to achieve the minimum at Levels II - VI, the individual may request one supplementary re-write exam within two (2) weeks after the clinic. Should the individual fail to re-write within two (2) weeks, a $10.00 charge is applied for re-writes thereafter. Passing marks for the supplementary exam remains the same as noted above.
Re-certification is required every year in order to hold a valid Level of certification.
