How To Become An NHL Referee?

Refereeing in the NHL is one of the highest levels of professional hockey. Here’s how you can become an NHL referee.

Introduction

Becoming an NHL referee is not an easy task. There are only a select few who make it to the top of their profession. It takes years of hard work, dedication and passion for the game of hockey. If you have what it takes to become an NHL referee, here is a step-by-step guide on how you can make your dream a reality.

What does it take to become an NHL referee?

Becoming an NHL referee is not an easy task. There are a lot of things that you need to do in order to be successful. You need to have a good understanding of the game, be in good shape, and know the rules. You also need to be able to skate well and be able to keep up with the play. If you can do all of these things, then you have a good chance of becoming an NHL referee.

Physical fitness

To keep up with the speed of the game, NHL referees must be excellent skaters. They also must have excellent endurance to skate for the full length of the game. Good vision and hearing are also important for making the right call on the ice.

You don’t have to be a former player to become an NHL referee, but it helps if you have played competitive hockey at a high level. You must have at least three years of experience officiating competitive hockey games.

You will also need to take a refereeing exam administered by USA Hockey and complete a training program before you can officiate NHL games.

Good vision

In order to qualify to become an NHL referee, you must first meet the minimum vision requirements. According to the NHL Rulebook, you must have 20/20 vision in both eyes in order to officiate games. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, your visual acuity must still be 20/20 with them on.

Good skating ability

To become an NHL referee, you must first complete the level 4 certification through Hockey Canada. Once you have completed this, you can then apply to attend an NHL officiating Combine.

The NHL officiating Combines are by invite only, and the officials who are invited have been scouted and identified by the NHL as having the potential to be an NHL official.

During the officiating Combines, officials go through on and off-ice tests which evaluate their skating ability, fitness level, and game knowledge. The officials who perform the best in theCombines are then offered contracts to attend an NHL officiating Development Camp.

At the Development Camp, officials are again put through on and off-ice tests. They are also given practical experience by working scrimmages and exhibition games. The officials who perform well at the Development Camps are then offered contracts to officiate in either the AHL or ECHL.

Good communication skills

One of the first and most important skills that you need to develop is good communication. You need to be able to verbally communicate with the players on the ice, as well as the coaches and other officials. You also need to be able to signal what is happening on the ice using hand signals. If you can’t communicate effectively, you’ll never make it as an NHL referee.

Good decision making skills

To become an NHL referee, you must first complete the necessary training and education requirements. You must also have good decision-making skills and be able to remain calm under pressure. Once you have met all of the requirements, you can then apply to become an NHL referee.

How to become an NHL referee

Becoming an NHL referee is not an easy task. You have to have a constancy for the game and be able to make snap decisions. You also have to be able to skate well and keep up with the play. If you think you have what it takes, here is a step-by-step guide on how to become an NHL referee.

Junior hockey

The path to becoming an NHL referee starts by officiating junior hockey games. You must be at least 18 years old to officiate junior hockey games, and you must complete a Junior Officials Clinic. The clinic will teach you the basics of officiating, and it will also give you a chance to scrimmage with other officials. Once you have completed the clinic, you will be registered with your local officiating association. You can then start officiating junior hockey games.

Minor hockey

There are many ways to become an NHL referee. One way is to start officiating minor hockey games. You can officiate games at different levels, such as the Atom, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget, Junior, and even Senior levels. As you officiate more games, you will develop your skills and knowledge of the game of hockey. You will also gain experience in dealing with different types of players, coaches, and parents.

Major junior hockey

Major junior hockey is generally considered the best route to take if you want to become an NHL referee. Officials in major junior hockey are closely monitored and evaluated by NHL staff, so it’s a good way to get your foot in the door. You’ll need to be at least 18 years old to officiate in major junior hockey.

There are three major junior hockey leagues in Canada: the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). There are also a few minor junior leagues, but officials in these leagues are not typically evaluated for NHL positions.

In order to become an NHL referee, you’ll first need to complete a training program provided by one of the three Canadian Hockey League (CHL) branches. The training program will cover topics such as rule interpretations, on-ice positioning, skating abilities, and more.

After completing the training program, you’ll then need to pass a written exam and an on-ice practical exam. Once you’ve passed these exams, you’ll be registered as a CHL official and will be able to officiate games at the major junior level.

While there is no guarantee that completing a CHL officiating program will lead to an NHL refereeing job, it is certainly the best way to get started on your path to becoming an NHL official.

NCAA hockey

To become an NHL referee, you must first start by officiating NCAA hockey games. There are many ways to get started officiating hockey, but the best way is to start officiating at the youth level. Once you have several years of experience officiating youth hockey games, you can then move up to officiating high school games. After a few years of officiating high school games, you can then move up to officiating NCAA hockey games.

Once you have several years of experience officiating NCAA hockey games, you can then apply to become an NHL referee. To become an NHL referee, you must complete an application and go through an interview process. Once you have been selected as an NHL referee, you will then undergo training before you are allowed to officiate NHL games.

Professional hockey

Professional hockey is a physically and mentally demanding sport played at high speeds on an ice rink. For spectators, it can be an exhilarating experience. For officials, it can be a demanding and sometimes dangerous job. NHL officials are some of the best in the world at what they do, and they are essential to the game of hockey.

If you’re interested in becoming an NHL official, there are a few things you should know. First, you need to be in excellent physical condition and have good skating skills. You also need to have a strong understanding of the rules of hockey. Finally, you need to be able to maintain your composure under pressure and make quick decisions.

If you think you have what it takes to become an NHL official, the first step is to contact your local hockey association or register with the NHL Officials Association. From there, you will need to complete training and certification requirements before being eligible to officiate NHL games.

What is the process of becoming an NHL referee?

Becoming an NHL referee is not an easy task. There are many things you must do in order to even be considered for the job. You must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum of three years experience refereeing, and pass a written exam. You must also complete an on-ice skating test.

Applying

The National Hockey League uses a Central Scouting service that evaluates potential officials. You must submit an application to the Central Scouting Bureau, which will be reviewed by the Bureau coordinator.

If you are deemed eligible, you will receive an invite to one of the NHL officiating combines. The combine is an opportunity for you and other hopefuls to demonstrate your skating abilities, face-off skills, and puck control in front of officials from every NHL team.

After the combine, the top prospects will be selected to advance to one of the seven regional officiating development camps held around North America.

There is no age limit for officials, but most start in their late teens or early twenties and move up through the ranks of lower-level junior leagues before being considered for the NHL.

Testing

The NHL requires that all officials complete a fitness test as part of the application process. The fitness test must be taken within six months of applying and consists of the following:
-Aerobic fitness skating test: Applicants must skate four laps around the rink within two minutes and 30 seconds.
-Anaerobic fitness skating test: Applicants must skate two laps around the rink as fast as possible.
-Agility skating test: Applicants must skate around cones set up on the ice.
-Endurance skating test: Applicants must skate laps for a specified amount of time.

In addition to the fitness test, applicants must also complete an on-ice skills assessment. This assessment includes officiating a mock game, calling penalties, and making lineup changes.

Interviewing

An interview with an NHL supervisor is required before becoming a referee. During the interview, candidates are asked about their knowledge of the game, their officiating experience, and why they want to become an NHL referee. Candidates must also show that they have the necessary skating skills to keep up with the play.

Training

First and foremost, NHL officials are extremely important to the game. They enforce the rules and keep the players safe while they are playing. If you want to become an NHL referee, there are a few things that you need to do.

The first thing that you will need to do is take a skating test. This will ensure that you have the proper skating skills to keep up with the players on the ice. You will also need to take a written rules test in order to prove that you know the game well enough to officiate it.

Once you have passed these tests, you will be able to attend an NHL officiating camp. These camps are designed to teach officials everything they need to know about officiating an NHL game. You will be able to learn about proper positioning, how to make calls, and how to handle different situations on the ice.

After you have completed an officiating camp, you will be assigned to a minor league hockey team. You will officiate games at this level until you are deemed ready for the NHL level.

When you are finally ready for the NHL, you will be assigned as a linesman or referee for specific games. You will work your way up through the ranks of officials until you hopefully become one of the top officials in the league.

What are the benefits of becoming an NHL referee?

Becoming an NHL referee comes with many great benefits. You get to see the game from a different perspective, you get to travel to different cities, and you get paid to do it. However, it is not all fun and games. Referees have to be very impartial and they have to make sure that they are following all the rules.

Good pay

NHL officials make a great living. In fact, first-year NHL officials can expect to earn between $110,000 and $255,000 per year, while experienced referees and linesmen can earn upwards of $350,000 annually. These figures do not include earnings from side ventures such as appearances or product endorsements.

Great benefits

NHL Referees generally have great benefits that come with the job. They get to travel to different locations, they get free tickets to NHL games, they get free gear, and they get paid very well.

The starting salary for an NHL Referee is around $110,000 per year. However, the most experienced and respected officials can make upwards of $350,000 per year. In addition to their salary, referees also receive payments for working playoff games and other special events.

NHL Referees also enjoy a great deal of job security. The average NHL official works for 12 years before retiring. The job does have its risks, however, as officials are often the target of abuse from players and fans alike.

Job satisfaction

One of the main benefits of becoming an NHL referee is the sense of satisfaction that comes with doing a job well. There is a great sense of pride that comes with being an NHL referee and knowing that you are responsible for officiating one of the most popular games in the world.

Another benefit of becoming an NHL referee is the pay. While referees are not paid as much as the players, they do receive a good salary and benefits package. In addition, referees also have the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Another benefit of becoming an NHL referee is the opportunity to travel. Referees have the opportunity to travel to different cities and countries to officiate games. This can be a great way to see different parts of the world and experience different cultures.

Finally, becoming an NHL referee can give you a sense of community. Referees are part of a close-knit community and often form lifelong friendships with other referees.

Great travel opportunities

An NHL referee gets to travel to some of the most amazing places in North America and sometimes even beyond. Not only do you get to see different parts of the country or world, but you also get to experience different cultures and meet new people.