Returning Referees

Planning to move up a level? Check out if you qualify here:

LEVEL II

Purpose – To further enhance the training and skills of minor hockey officials. To provide further instruction, training and skills to officials advancing through the HCOP levels and looking to building on the foundation of Level I certification.

Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level II official:

• Level I Officials moving to Level II must be at least 16 years or older as of December 31st of the current year
• Individuals 18+ years of age and NEW to the officiating program must complete Hockey University-Officiating 1/2
• Must attend a Level II clinic (5 hours) of which 1 hour is a mandatory ice session
• Must complete Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders Program
• Must obtain at least 70% on the national exam

LEVEL III

Purpose – To introduce and reinforce more advanced officiating procedures, rule knowlege and interpretations and further enhance an official’s on-ice and communication skills. To prepare officials to become capable and qualified to officiate 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

Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level III official:

• Must be a minimum of 17 years of age as of December 31st of the current year
• Must be fully certified and officiate one year at Level II (in the previous season)
• Must receive approval of local Referee-in-Chief in order to advance from Level II to Level III
• Must be certified with Respect in Sport Program for Activity Leaders
• Must complete the Level III Online Course (NEW for 2016-2017)
• Must obtain a minimum of 80% on the national exam
• Level III officials working/or moving into the following leagues: Provincial Midget AAA, KJHL, MMJHL, MJHL are required to attend a Level III Seminar in addition to the Level III online course. Please note this is a Hockey Manitoba requirement and not a certification requirement. Reference Hockey Manitoba Bulletin 16-13 (NEW for 2016-2017)
• Level III officials within Hockey Manitoba’s High Performance Program are required to meet the certification requirements of the HP program

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

Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level IV official:

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age as of December 31st of the current year
• Must be fully certified and officiate one year at Level III (in the previous season)
• Must be invited by Hockey Manitoba
• Must attend a High Performance Seminar
• Must attend a Level IV – VI re-certification clinic when held
• Must be certified with Respect in Sport Program for Activity Leaders
• Must obtain a minimum of 80% on the national SRD exam
• Level IV officials within Hockey Manitoba’s High Performance Program are required to meet all the certification requirements of the HP program

Level V

Purpose – To prepare competent officials to referee Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIS, and inter-branch playoffs.

To be considered for advancement to Level V:

• Must be fully certified and officiate one year at Level IV in the previous year
• Must be working Junior B (KJHL) & MMJHL, along with regular assignments in the MJHL as a referee
• The official should be considered one of the top promising officials in these leagues. Assignments in these leagues should form the majority (or a high %) of overall officiating Typically only those who are generally referees will attain a level V certification
• The official should be considered as a potential level VI candidate
• The official should be involved in Branch/Region activities in a leadership role (mentorship, instructor, etc.)
• The official should have the recommendation and support of the Manager of High Performance & the Director of Officials. They will have a successful supervision by a Branch supervisor at their highest level of hockey
• The official should be a positive role model for all officials and display a positive attitude both on and off the ice. Must meet or exceed branch expectations for elite officials

Female Officials should be reffing Midget AAA female (and possibly Midget AAA male (MMHL)). They should also be reffing the MWJHL & CIS female. The Level V female certification is treated like the Level VI male & all referees are selected by Hockey Canada. The expectation is that the referee will have Regional & National championship experience.

In order to advance & certify as a Level V:

Officials may advance in any year, providing the following requirements are met

• Meet all of the requirements to be considered for advancement
• Approved by the Director of Officials & the Manager of HP (or designates)
• Attend either the High Performance Seminar or a Level IV-VI seminar
• Complete the theory portion by attending either the Level IV-VI recertification seminar when offered, and then the next HP seminar. An official could complete the theory portion simply by attending the HP seminar. (ie, If the official advances in a year when the Level IV-VI recertification seminar is offered, they would not fully attain their certification at level IV until they attend the next HP seminar.)
• Successfully pass the HCOP SRD exam with a minimum 90%
• Successfully complete all required on-ice & off-ice fitness testing
• Successfully pass a game supervision conducted by a Hockey Manitoba Branch Supervisor in a level of hockey commensurate with an official certified at this level
• Must have completed the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

Level VI

Purpose – To prepare competent officials capable of refereeing at national championships and designated IIHF competition (i.e. Memorial Cup, RBC Cup, Allan Cup, University Cup, CCAA finals, world championships, Olympics, FISU Games).

Hockey Manitoba pre-requisites for becoming a certified Level VI official:

• Must have been fully certified and referee a minimum of one year at Level V
• Advancement to Level VI will be through selection by Hockey Manitoba and invitation by Hockey Canada
• Must have been mentored/supervised and consistently shown superior skills at the appropriate level of hockey
• Advancing Level V will be required to attend the Hockey Canada National Leadership Seminar
• Must attend a Level IV-VI recertification clinic when held
• Must have completed the Respect in Sport Program for Activity Leaders
• Successfully complete the Hockey Canada fitness and skating tests
• Must meet all certification requirements as dictated by Hockey Canada
• Must achieve 90% on the national SRD exam