Officiating FAQs - GTHL Canada

Getting Started with Officiating

If you are looking to get into officiating next season for the first time, please review the below steps.

Step 1: Secure a Referee position with a Minor Hockey Association

If you have not done so already, please ensure you reach out to your local house league to see if they are hiring new referees for next season. You should ensure you or your child has a spot officiating prior to registering for a clinic.

Step 2: Hockey Canada Officiating Program – Intro (formerly known as Hockey University Officiating 1/2 On-Demand)

This Hockey Canada Officiating Program – Intro on-demand course is a PREREQUISITE and is only for those that are intending to take the GTHL hosted Entry Level Clinic or GTHL Referee Camp: Quick Start program. This course is NOT a certification course and will not provide you with any qualifications to officiate this season. This course must be completed in its entirety before registering for a clinic or for the GTHL’s Referee Summer Camp.

Please see the links below to register:

Step 3: For those 18 years or older only (Skip to Step 4 if you are under 18)

On-Ice Officials 18 years of age and over are required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Verification (VSV) the first time they make a submission. For more information and to start the process, please CLICK HERE.

Step 4: Register for the Referee Summer Camp (“Ref School”) or an Entry Level Clinic

As a first time referee, you are able to earn your Level 1 certification by either attending our Quick Start Program at the Referee Summer Camp or attend an Entry Level Clinic held in the Fall. The minimum age to register for the summer camp is 15 years old and the minimum age for Entry Level clinics is 12 years old.

The minimum age to attend a GTHL hosted referee clinic is 12 years old, however, it is important to note that not all associations will take on 12-year-old referees. It is important to check with your local association prior to registering for a clinic.

The minimum age to attend the Referee Summer Camp is 15 years old.

Hockey Canada Shoulder Badge: This is the badge with the rounded top. Place this badge on the official’s right sleeve, pointing directly outward to the side, with the top of the badge positioned four centimetres (4 cm) (or 1½ inches) below the shoulder seam (but never obscured by an armband).

Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) Shoulder Badge: This is the badge with a Canadian flag above the OHF crest. Place this badge on the official’s left sleeve, pointing directly outward to the side, with the top of the badge positioned two centimetres (2 cm) (about 1/2 inch) above the shoulder seam. It should be high enough so as never to be obscured by an armband, if applicable.

GTHL Officiating Crest: This is the large shield with GTHL across the front. If your League Program Crest does not have an official crest for referees, place this crest on the left breast. Position the left edge of the crest about two (2) inches from the jersey zipper – this will ensure that part of the crest does not disappear under your arm when worn.

An Entry Level clinic provides participants with the necessary foundation to begin their officiating journey. The Quick Start program expands on that foundation by providing participants with comprehensive training on rules and procedures designed to give participants the strongest launching point for their officiating journey. The Quick Start program includes multiple on-ice sessions with instructors to practice what they learn in the classroom and the opportunity to have their first game-like experience with supporting on-ice shadows and officiating coaches for feedback. Officials can either attend an Entry Level clinic or the Quick Start program to become certified for the upcoming season.

Prior to any registration, prospective officials are encouraged to check with their local hockey association to confirm that the association is looking to hire for the season. Click HERE for a list of contacts for the GTHL’s local House Leagues.

If you are looking to join the competitive (GTHL ‘A,’ ‘AA,’ or ‘AAA’) officiating staff, please contact Officiating Coordinator – Rob Pilmer [email protected].

Skates (player hockey skates only)
CSA approved helmet complete with ear guards (must be black)
CSA approved half visor complete with all retaining straps and hardware
BNQ approved throat protector
Referee jersey (no arm bands)
Black pants (with belt and/or suspenders, referee pants preferred but not essential)
Finger grip style metal whistle (ACME “Thunderer” preferred)

Strongly recommended: shinguards (full length; player ones are permitted), elbow pads (player ones are permitted), pelvic protector (females) or athletic support with cup (males).

CLINIC INFORMATION FOR OFFICIALS

Please visit the GTHL’s Referee Clinics page for more information: https://gthlcanada.com/referee-clinics/.

All on-ice officials 18 years of age and over are required to follow the OHF Screening Policy. You may be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check or OHF Declaration form.

Click here for more information on the OHF Screening Policy, where to get a Vulnerable Sector Check, and how to get your profile updated.

If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected].

We cannot accommodate participants attending multiple Entry Level clinics to complete their sessions. Participants must complete all sessions of the Entry Level clinic as listed in the clinic description to be qualified/certified. 

If you wish to switch your clinic dates for another Entry Level clinic, please contact [email protected] to be switched over into the new clinic. Do not create a second registration.

Any request to be transferred must be made at least six (6) days prior to the clinic start date.

This year, you would look to take a Level 1 re-cert/Level 2 upgrade clinic or attend the Junior Development program at the Referee Summer Camp.

Any request for a refund must be made at least six (6) days prior to the clinic start date. A request after this time frame will not be processed. There will be a 15% administration fee for all refunds.

Please email [email protected] with the following information for a successful refund:

Name of participant and/or Hockey Canada Registry ID number
Clinic ID or start/end dates of clinic (can be found on your registration confirmation)

Please be advised that we can only refund the credit card that was originally used for the transaction.

REFEREE SUMMER CAMP

The Referee Summer Camp’s “Quick Start” program provides the most comprehensive training available for New Officials.

This four (4) day program is a Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) certification event specifically designed to kick-start the officiating career of individuals 15 years of age or over who have NO practical referee training or experience.

Participants receive plenty of closely supervised on-ice training throughout the week. Off-ice training involves detailed studies of the playing rules, referee signals, duties of an official, officiating procedures and officiating positioning systems. Instructors include officials with experience in the North York Hockey League (NYHL), Mississauga Hockey League (MHL), GTHL, Ontario Hockey Association, and Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Participants will have the opportunity to be supervised during games on Monday and/or Tuesday and/or Wednesday evening of the camp. More information will be provided on this closer to the camp.

Quick Start graduates leave the camp capable and qualified to function effectively as a junior member of a house league hockey association’s officiating staff. Graduates receive Hockey Canada Officiating Program certification for the 2024/2025 hockey season.

There is no better training and no better value available to those who want to start a refereeing career. Registration includes four (4) days of officiating development activities, four (4) on-ice training sessions, written and verbal feedback on performance during game assignments at the camp, reference material, instructional handouts and a camp t-shirt. Nutritious lunch and snacks are provided for the duration of the program, as well as dinner being provided on the night of a game assignment.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Becoming an Elite Official program is for adults with advanced officiating skills and experience.

This three-day program is a Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) recertification event for individuals 18 years of age or older that have, as a minimum, three years experience as an official. Participants must be a certified HCOP Level 2 official or higher. The program is designed to challenge participants, no matter how experienced, and to help them elevate their game to the next level. This comprehensive training program focuses on judgement and penalty standards, complex rule application, the three and four official systems, and advanced skill development. Graduates leave the camp better able to function as a referee at the highest levels of minor hockey.

Graduates receive Hockey Canada Officiating Program certification for the 2024/2025 hockey season.

Registration includes three days of officiating development activities led by officials who have officiated in the OHL Cup, OHF Championships, and the OHL, in class training, three on-ice training sessions, instructional handouts, supervised game assignments at the camp, and a camp t-shirt. Participants will also receive leadership training and have the opportunity to supervise officials at the camp. Nutritious lunch and snacks are provided for the duration of the program, as well as dinner being provided on the night of a game assignment. More information on evening game assignments will be provided closer to the camp.

Click here for more information and to register.

Junior Development Program: A Full-Time Program for those with Limited Officiating Experience.

This four (4) day program is a Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) recertification event for previously certified HCOP Level 1 and Level 2 officials who are 15 years of age or older and have one or two years of officiating experience at the house league level.

Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the rules, skill development, and the technical aspects of officiating. Participation in this comprehensive training program allows officials with limited experience to greatly improve their knowledge of the rules and elevate their on-ice abilities in a very short period. Graduates leave the camp better able to function as a referee at the lower levels of minor hockey and as a linesperson at intermediate levels of minor hockey.

Graduates receive Hockey Canada Officiating Program certification for the 2024/2025 hockey season. For those under the age of 16, they will receive their Level 1 certification. For those over 16, they will receive their Level 2 certification.

Registration includes four (4) days of officiating development activities, four on-ice training sessions, written and verbal feedback on performance during game assignments at the camp, instructional handouts, and a camp t-shirt. Nutritious lunch and snacks are provided for the duration of the program, as well as dinner being provided on the night of a game assignment. Sessions are led by instructors who have experience in the North York Hockey League (NYHL), Mississauga Hockey League (MHL), GTHL, Ontario Hockey Associations (OHA), and Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Participants will have the opportunity to be supervised during an exhibition game on the Monday and/or Tuesday and/or Wednesday evening. More information will be provided on this before the camp begins.

Click here for more information and to register.

Recertification clinics offer participants updates on rules and procedures while providing development on specific topics relevant to their Hockey Canada Officiating level. The Referee Summer Camp expands on that training to equip officials with greater knowledge of rules and procedures, the chance to network with officials at a wide variety of levels, while providing officials the opportunity to receive mentorship in game-like situations or for seasoned officials, the chance to provide mentorship to developing officials.

Officials can either attend a re-certification clinic or the Referee Summer Camp to become certified for the upcoming season.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Clinics take place September to October. The GTHL’s Referee Summer Camp takes place in August.

The GTHL does not provide referee numbers. Your certification level can be found on your Hockey Canada/Spordle profile.

How to Link your Profile and Check Qualifications – Click HERE.

Please note: if another Member Partner is asking you for your number, please ask them where to find it.

Please visit https://gthlcanada.com/the-learning-centre/.

Yes, every official is required to re-certify each season.

Click here to download the rulebook.

Please email:
Stephanie Hyde | Manager, Development and Community Outreach

Email: [email protected]

TIMEKEEPER

Interested individuals may apply for a timekeeping position through their league President, Referee-in-Chief, Referee Coordinator or equivalent. Timekeeper selection is done by host’s Referee-in-Chief, Referee Coordinator or equivalent. Click here for a list of house league contacts.

If you are looking for career opportunities through the GTHL, please click here.

The GTHL offers timekeeping clinics for new Timekeepers, for more information, please visit: https://gthlcanada.com/timekeeper-clinics/.

First year timekeepers for the GTHL, must register for a Junior Timekeeper clinic.

To register for your Timekeeper clinic, please visit https://gthlcanada.com/timekeeper-clinics/#intermediate-timekeeper.