Understanding when video can be reviewed, who can submit a request, and how the process works.
The GTHL Video Review Policy provides a limited process through which video evidence may be considered in specific circumstances.
It is not intended to provide a second opinion on every penalty called during a game. Hockey Canada rules generally provide that an on-ice official’s decision on questions of judgment is final, while GTHL regulations similarly limit protests of referee decisions.
Can My Situation Be Reviewed?
Video may be reviewed where a Club believes:
- the wrong player was identified and assessed a penalty resulting in a suspension; or
- a rule was misapplied or an official exercised incorrect judgment in assessing a penalty that resulted in a suspension of two or more games.
Important: A disagreement with a call on its own is not enough. The video must provide sufficiently clear and conclusive evidence to establish an error.
The League may review video of a game situation that results in a Serious Injury, whether or not a penalty was assessed.
Under the policy, a Serious Injury is one requiring attention and diagnosis by a medical doctor and resulting in time missed from normal daily activities such as school, hockey or other athletic activities.
A Club seeking a review for the possible assessment of Supplemental Discipline must provide:
- video supporting the request
- a diagnosis from a medical doctor outlining the nature and seriousness of the injury
- the Official Game Report
- a statement outlining the outcome being sought by the Club.
The policy also permits video to be reviewed in certain circumstances involving:
- the conduct of game officials during altercations, particularly where use of force is concerned
- spectator or parent conduct
- language identified under Hockey Canada Playing Rule 11.4(d) – Discrimination
- threatening or abusive language by a Team Official
- off-ice altercations involving players, Team Officials or spectators
A GTHL-appointed third-party investigator may also review video when investigating a matter assigned to them.
For these matters, a Club requesting League review must provide the supporting video, Official Game Report, and a statement outlining the outcome being sought. The League may also take action on its own in circumstances covered by the policy.
Who Can Submit a Suspension Review?
For appeals involving player identification or a suspension of two or more games, the request must be submitted by the Club President or General Manager.
Players, parents, coaches, and individual teams do not independently submit suspension appeals directly to the GTHL.
Need a Video Review?
If you are a player, parent, coach, or Team Official who believes a situation may qualify for review, your first step should be to contact your Club President or General Manager.
Club Presidents and General Managers may submit eligible Video Review applications to:
[email protected]
What Is Required for a Suspension Review?
For reviews involving player identification or a suspension of two or more games, a complete submission must include:
☐ Video supporting the application
☐ Official Game Report
☐ A statement signed by the Club President or General Manager identifying the penalty being appealed
☐ Confirmation that the $400 deposit may be charged to the Club’s account if the review is unsuccessful
☐ Submission within five business days of the game
Before submitting: Clubs should assess whether the available video clearly shows the incident and provides a reasonable basis for challenging the original decision.
What Does the Reviewer Look For?
The question is not: “Could someone else have made a different call?”
The question is: “Does the video conclusively establish that an error occurred?”
For a suspension to be overturned, the available video must be sufficiently clear and conclusive to demonstrate that the official:
- misapplied the applicable rule; and/or
- exercised incorrect judgment in assessing the penalty.
Video review does not replace the judgment of an on-ice official simply because a Club, team, or participant may have assessed the play differently.
What Makes Video Inconclusive?
A review will generally not succeed when:
- the relevant action occurs outside the camera angle
- players or officials obstruct the view
- the recording begins too late or ends too early
- the footage does not clearly establish what occurred
- the video supports more than one reasonable interpretation of the incident
If the video cannot conclusively establish an error, the original decision remains in place.
Possible Outcomes
For a suspension review, there are three possible outcomes:
If the recording does not provide a sufficiently clear view to make a conclusive determination:
The original suspension remains in effect and the $400 deposit is forfeited.
If the video clearly demonstrates that the rule was misapplied and/or incorrect judgment was used:
The corresponding suspension is revoked.
If the video confirms that the rule was correctly applied and/or correct judgment was used:
The suspension remains in effect and the $400 deposit is forfeited.
The outcome of this type of review is not subject to further appeal.
Why Is There a $400 Fee?
The $400 fee is intended to encourage Clubs to assess the available evidence carefully before submitting an application and to help offset the cost associated with the Video Review Team used for suspension appeals challenging an official’s judgment.
The fee is charged where the video is inconclusive or the review confirms the original decision.
Does the Reviewer Re-Officiate the Game?
No.
The review is limited to the specific penalty and grounds identified in the application, together with the available video and supporting materials. It is not a review of the game as a whole.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For suspension appeals involving player identification or a suspension of two or more games, no. The application must come from the Club President or General Manager.
Not on that basis alone. The video must conclusively demonstrate that the applicable rule was misapplied and/or incorrect judgment was exercised in assessing a penalty covered by the policy.
The review may be deemed inconclusive. In a suspension appeal, the original suspension remains in effect and the fee is charged.
The policy permits review of a suspension where an incorrect player may have been identified, or where the challenged penalty resulted in a suspension of two or more games.
No. The review focuses on the specific penalty and grounds identified in the application and the supporting materials provided.
In some circumstances, yes. For example, the policy permits review of a game situation resulting in a Serious Injury whether or not a penalty was assessed.
Yes. The policy states that, in addition to video submitted by a Team or Club, the League may use other available video sources when making a determination under the policy.
View the Full Video Review Policy:
Club Presidents and General Managers may submit eligible Video Review applications to:
[email protected]
