Pro Tips

Module 3: Delayed Off Side

In a delayed off-side situation, when an attacking player is pressuring a defending player, use the top of the face-off circle as a guideline on when to blow the play down.

Module 4: Official Certification Statistics

There are more than 33,000 registered Officials across the country.

Module 6: The 2-Official System

Division of the Ice

The division of ice is for the face-off procedure only. Either Official can assess a penalty anywhere on the ice.

Positioning During Play

Where ever you are on the ice, you and your partner should be no more than one line apart, and at a diagonal to one another. Remember, the front Official needs to follow proper end zone positioning.

How Many NHL Officials are Canadian?

More than 80% of the Officials in the NHL are Canadian.

Module 6: The 2-Official System

Assessing a Penalty

If the Official assessing the penalty is the Back Official, the Front Official retrieves the puck and conducts the face-off. In this case, the Officials don’t change ends.

Module 7: The Traditional 3-Official System

No Man’s Land

Always stay out of No Man’s Land and use proper end zone positioning.

Back Linesmen

As the Back Lineman, you should get in the habit of watching the players that could be lagging behind the play.

Keep Moving

Officials need to keep moving. If you’re standing still as the play moves up the ice, you’ll be playing catch up. Try to anticipate the direction of play and get moving in the proper direction. If you keep moving, you’ll actually use less energy in the game than if you keep stopping and starting.

Linesman Not Conducting the Face-Off

If you’re the Linesman not conducting the face-off, you’re responsible for covering all lines until your partner is back in position to make the correct call at the line.

Module 8: Penalty Procedures

No Man’s Land

Always avoid seeming aggressive or intimidating. When calling a penalty, if you’re within three metres of the offending player, pointing your fully extended arm at the player could be intimidating. Instead of pointing at the player, make direct eye contact while you are signaling so there is no question about which player is being penalized.

Minor Hockey is Different than Professional Hockey

There are a lot of differences between professional hockey and minor hockey. For instance, in minor hockey, both teams are allowed to make a line change after an icing call. In the NHL, if a player is on the ice during an icing call, that player has to stay on the ice. Another example is Clipping. Clipping is a penalty assessed in professional hockey. Minor hockey calls this infraction Tripping.