In ice hockey, an official is a person who has some responsibility in enforcing the rules or maintaining the order of the game. There are two categories of officials, on-ice officials, who are the referees and linesmen that enforce the rules during game play, and off-ice officials, who have an administrative role rather than an enforcement role.

On-ice officials

As the name implies, on-ice officials do their job on the hockey rink. They are traditionally clad in a black hockey helmet, black trousers, and a black-and-white striped shirt. Thus, on-ice officials are often called zebras. They wear standard hockey skates and carry a fingerwhistle, which they use to stop play. They communicate with players, coaches, off-ice officials, and spectators both verbally and via hand signals.

Referees

A referee is responsible for the general supervision of the game. He can be identified by his red or orange armbands. His judgment of goals is final. He is the only official with the authority to assess penalties for violations of the rules.

Linesmen

Linesmen are primarily responsible for watching for violations involving the red line and the blue line. Such infractions include icing and offsides infractions. Linesmen also conduct faceoffs. They are also expected to break-up fisticuffs and other altercations that occur during the game. Some leagues allow linesmen to call penalties (such as too many men), while others only allow them to report the infraction to the referee.

Assistant referees

In some leagues, such as the NCAA, the linesmen are given the title of "assistant referee." When given this title, they are given more responsibility to call penalties that the referee may not see.

On-ice officiating systems

• The three-official system uses one referee and two linesman. This is the most common officiating system.
• The four-official system adds a second referee for a total of two referees and two linesman. This system is used in the NHL and other high-levels.
• In the two-official system, each official acts as both referee and linesman — each has the responsibility to call both penalties and blue and red line violations. In this system, neither official wears red or orange armbands. This is used at lower levels of youth hockey and in most adult recreational leagues.
• In the 2-1 system, there are two referees and one linesman. There are a variety of ways to divide the responsibilities between the referees and linesman. Typically, the back referee is responsible to make the initial call at the blue line when the puck first enters the zone, and after that the linesman takes over.
• The 1-1 system (sometimes called Texas two-man) uses one referee and one linesman. Often, this is an informal system used when one of the officials does not show up for a game scheduled to use the three-official system. The referee in this system must also make the occasional line call.

Off-ice officials

Off-ice officials, with the exception of the video goal judge in professional leagues, do not have any direct impact on the outcome of the game. They serve primarily administrative and advisory roles.

Goal judge

The goal judge determines whether a player has scored a goal by watching to see if the puck has crossed the goal line completely. One goal judge is positioned outside the rink directly behind each goal net. For arenas so equipped, the goal judge turns on a red light behind the goal and sounds a siren to let everyone know that a goal has been scored. The goal judge acts only in an advisory role; the referee has the sole authority to award goals and can override the opinion of the goal judge.

Video goal judge

The video goal judge reviews replays of disputed goals. As the referee does not have access to television monitors, the video goal judge's decision in disputed goals is taken as final. In the NHL, goals may only be reviewed in the following situations: puck crossing the goal line completely and before time expired, puck in the net prior to goal frame being dislodged, puck being directed into the net by hand or foot, puck deflected into the net off an official, and puck deflected into the goal by the high stick by an attacking player.

Official scorer

The official scorer keeps the official record of the game. He is responsible for obtaining a list of eligible players from both teams prior to the start of the game. He awards points for goals and assists, and his decision in this regard is final. The official scorer typically sits in an elevated position away from the edge of the rink.

Penalty timekeeper

The penalty timekeeper records the penalties imposed by the referee. He is responsible for ensuring that the correct penalty times are posted on the score clock.

Game timekeeper

The game timekeeper is responsible for stopping and starting the game clock.

Statistician

The statistician records all required data concerning individual and team performances.

List of current NHL on-ice officials

Referees

Linesmen

Recently deceased NHL officials

• Stephane Provost, NHL Linesman (1967-2005)

Notable retired NHL officials

• Bob Best
• Bill Chadwick
• Kevin Collins
• John D'Amico
• Terry Gregson
• Bruce Hood
• Randy Mitton
• Ray Scapinello
• Paul Stewart
• Red Storey
• Stephen Walkom
• Andy Van Hellemond

External links

• Ice hockey signals
• HockeyOfficials.com
• HockeyRefs.com
• National Association of Sports Officials
• NHL Officials Association

• Hockey Canada Officiating Program
• USA Hockey Officiating Program
• Ice Hockey Australia Officiating Program
• Norwegian Ice Hockey Officials Club
• Swiss Hockey Officials
• Belgian Referee Commission
• Danish Ice Hockey Officials Club
• French Referee Commission
• German Hockey Officiating
• Off-Ice Officials at Michigan State University

Ice hockey personnel | Sports occupations | Sports officiating | Offizieller (Eishockey)