Social

Frequently Asked Questions



Q: What is the Hockey Canada Officiating Program?

To gain a bit of background knowledge about the officiating program and how it works on a national level, you may visit the Hockey Canada Officials website.

Q: What do I have to do to become an official in the Ottawa area?

First, you must determine which ODMHA district you live in and then you can contact the local Referee-In-Chief (RIC) to be sure that they are accepting new officials.  

Q: What do I have to do to become an official in Nepean (District 10)?

If you live in Nepean, the RIC is Caise Chandler, who can be contacted at caise.chandler@gmail.com.

  1. Every year from mid-April to end of May, the Nepean Minor Hockey Association Officiating Program (NMHAOP) invites individuals interested in becoming on-ice officials to submit an expression of interest to the Referee-in-Chief (RIC). A comprehensive assessment and evaluation of prospective recruits will be conducted by senior referees in the NMHAOP (under the guidance of the NMHAOP Executive) which may include skating drills, rules knowledge, interpersonal skills (interviews) and contacting references provided by the candidates.
  2. Following this assessment, the RIC will invite selected recruits to participate in the officiating program. The selected recruits will be asked to register into a Hockey Canada Certification Clinic.

To get HCOP Certification:

  1. Attending a Level 1 Certification Clinic; an 8 hour session typically held in September or October (http://www.odharefs.com/clinics/clinic_schedule.html) and costs approximately $115 (paid by the recruit). At the end of the day, you will have to take a rules examination.New officials who attend the clinic and complete the exam comprising of approximately 45 questions will attain their Level 1 Certification.

      2. Note: While CHA guidelines indicate that the referee certification clinic is open to anyone at least 12 years old, the NMHAOP has typically not recruited individuals younger than 14 years of age.
    1. Recruits must notify the RIC as to which certification option they wish to choose; only the RIC can sign them up.
    2. The recruit must notify the RIC once he/she has successfully completed the certification clinic.
    3. The recruits will then be asked to register with the NMHAOP (including their Hockey Canada Officiating Number) in order to be assigned games as an on-ice official under the jurisdiction of the Nepean Minor Hockey Association.
    4. In September, all new NMHA Officials will participate in two mandatory on-ice sessions with senior officials of the NMHAOP to review and practice the fundamentals of positioning and the procedures taught in the clinics.

  2. Look around for the proper officiating gear. Your RIC can provide hints where to shop. You might also contact existing officials in your area to obtain some quality second hand equipment.You'll only need to purchase or borrow some of the basic equipment: a jersey, black pants, a black helmet with half-visor, and a whistle.You'll be given cresting for the jerseys. The cost of some of this equipment is sometimes prohibitive, so before investing a large amount of money, be sure you want to stick with officiating. For example, for the first season or so, you can probably get by with a pair of black cotton trousers from Winners or Mark's Work Warehouse – There is no need to invest $100-$220 in official referee pants. However, a couple of things to keep in mind:

    • Hockey Canada does not permit its officials to wear the NHL-style jerseys, with black mesh under the armpits.
    • Your helmet should be black, and you do need a half-visor. It is difficult to blow a whistle when you wear a full cage!
    • It is strongly recommended that officials use a steel ACME Thunderer whistle instead of the plastic Fox 40. The pitch is deeper for hockey, and the whistle works better in the cold. Use a bit of tape on the tip so that it doesn't freeze to your lips on a cold day.
  3. The assignor will contact you to offer you your first set of games. You will have an experienced official shadowing you on the ice to offer pointers on positioning. The senior official is a volunteer who will not wear a whistle, but will be in uniform. The game is yours to officiate and you will be paid – just be sure to thank the senior official for giving his or her time to help you.

Q: Looking to transfer into Nepean (District 10) from another Branch?

You must complete the HCOP Officials Inter-Branch Transfer Form and submit it to Caise Chandler NMHAOP RIC for consideration.

Q: Does it matter which one-day clinic I attend?

Yes. Because we have on-ice sessions scheduled in September, it is strongly encouraged that new officials attend the earliest clinic.

Q: How many games will I get in Nepean? Will I recoup my clinic fees?

Most new officials will work 35-50 games this season. Combined, our referees will officiate about 2700 games in total per season. If you take the one-day course and are a frugal equipment shopper, you will likely recoup your start-up costs or make a bit of money. If you purchase more elaborate gear, have limited availability or interest, or attend the referee school, you will probably not recoup your start-up costs by the end of the season. As you become more experienced second or third year officials, you will start receiving more substantial pay cheques.

Q: How old do I have to be? What kinds of people become NMHA Officials?

Because we have so many people interested in officiating, we generally only allow those 14 and over to officiate in Nepean. Any interested 13-year olds will be placed on a waiting list, and may take any vacancies at the start of July.

In 2009-2010, we accepted 9 adults, 15 teenagers as new on-ice officials. We also accepted 15 new timekeepers. There are roughly 90 on-ice officials, and 40 off-ice officials working in Nepean.Our officials come from different personal backgrounds, cultures, and age groups.

Q: How do I get assigned games?

All NMHA league games are assigned using the Officiating Management System (OMS) website. Once New Officials have attained their Level 1 Certification, they will be asked to Register on the OMS using their newly acquired Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) number. Once registered, the NMHAOP Assignor will then assign league games to officials; (all officials are encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with the OMS User Guide). For New Officials, expect most of your game assignments to occur on Saturday and Sunday mornings; however, some divisions you will officiate may hold occasional week-end afternoon games and/or week-day evening games.The OMS and the NMHAOP Code of Conduct has some flexibility built into the assignment process by allowing all its officials the opportunity to turn game assignments down or to trade the game assignments with other officials; for example to accommodate personal priorities such as their own hockey games.

Q: How do I get paid?

We'll have bi-monthly meetings starting in October which last about an hour to go over rule emphases and administrative issues. Officials are not paid for meetings, but are expected to be in attendance.Pay cheques are passed out at these meetings.We try to make them helpful and informative without getting too boring.

Q: How do I sign up or get more information?

Caise Chandler
Referee-In-Chief
Nepean Minor Hockey Association
E-mail: Caise.Chandler@gmail.com

Q: What do I have to do to become a Timekeeper in Nepean (District 10)?

The Nepean Minor Hockey Association is one of a few districts in the ODMHA that provides paid, trained timekeepers for all league games in Nepean. Timekeeper recruitment, training and assignments fall under the auspices of the NMHAOP. You must be at least 13 years old by the end of December to apply to become timekeeper in the NMHAOP. New timekeeper recruits will be provided training on the various scoreboard devices in use in Nepean as well as training on filling out game sheets and pre- and post-game procedures. Additionally, new timekeepers will usually work with a more experienced timekeeper when they first begin.

If interested in becoming a Timekeeper in Nepean, please contact the Assignor, as availability of Timekeeper openings is limited. Timekeeper registration begins immediately after the August long weekend. Once you have registered with the Assignor, you will be notified of a MANDATORY TIMEKEEPER CERTIFICATION CLINIC (usually in September). All NMHAOP timekeepers must attend this Clinic to re-certify each year. New timekeepers must complete the certification clinic (usually held in September) before they are assigned any games. Returning Timekeepers may be assigned games before attending a certification clinic, however, they must attend at least the 2 nd certification clinic (October) in order to continue being assigned games.

Q: How do Timekeepers get assigned games?

All NMHA league games are assigned using the Officiating Management System (OMS) website. For new Timekeepers, they will be asked to register on the OMS and games will be assigned once they have attended and completed their Certification Clinic.

Typically, in August of each year, the NMHAOP will solicit the interest of returning Timekeepers to Timekeep the following hockey season; returning timekeepers will be asked to re-register on the OMS.

Once registered, the NMHAOP Assignor will then assign league games to Timekeepers; (all timekeepers are encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with the OMS User Guide). For new timekeepers, expect most of your game assignments to occur on Saturday and Sunday mornings; however, for some divisions you may be asked to timekeep the occasional week-end afternoon games and/or week-day evening games.The OMS and the NMHAOP Code of Conduct has some flexibility built into the assignment process by allowing all its Timekeepers the opportunity to turn game assignments down or to trade the game assignments with other timekeepers; for example to accommodate personal priorities such as their own hockey games.

Q: How do Timekeepers get paid?

The NHMAOP typically holds bi-monthly meetings starting in October; the Timekeeper meetings are usually first on the agenda and last about a half-hour to go over game-related problems and administrative issues. Timekeepers are not paid to attend the meetings, but they are expected to be in attendance. Pay cheques are passed out at these meetings.We try to make these meetings helpful and informative without getting too boring.