Official/Referee Resources
All Returning Officials
Please remember you must take an updated clinic every season before Christmas. The update clinics typically go up on the BC Hockey Clinics page in mid-August. If you are 16 years or older, take a returning level 2 clinic. If you are 15 or younger, take a returning level 1 clinic.
Note: All officials that are 18+ require a Criminal Record Check
Please review the BC Hockey Officials page to get all information on clinics : BC Hockey - Getting Started
Getting Started with Spordle
- Get all the latest information on Spordle from the PCAHA website: https://pcaha.ca/games-spordle/
- Games are now in the Spordle system for all Associations
- Officials can register at Spordle Officials
- Use your email address to log into the Spordle officials component. Check your profile and email (must be verified)
- Enter your HCR ID and name, then please ensure your profile is accurate, then your calendar is there which is always important and this year is you must click on arenas and click on each and every arena name you are willing to travel to. If the arena is unchecked, you will not see any games there.
- If you are already registered in Spordle you can just go to your profile and add other arenas to see those game options.
- Add your available calendar dates and check available arenas if all above is done you will be able to see and request any game you are qualified to do.
- Live notifications of any additions, cancellations, or changes that you need to confirm and the all-important reminders the day before. This is for all Zones and Associations.
- If you see any issues registering or have any questions, please email our referee in chief or ref assignor.
Supervision Requests
BC Hockey Referee Grading Levels
| Division | Minimum Age Required | Minimum Level - Grade to REF | Minimum Level - Grade to LINE |
|---|---|---|---|
| U6 - U9 | 12 | 1 - 1 | 1 - 1 |
| U11 C | 12 | 1 - 1 | 1 - 1 |
| U11 A | 12 | 1 - 1 | 1 - 1 |
| U13 C | 13 | 1 - 1 | 1 - 1 |
| U13 A | 13 | 1 - 2 | 1 - 1 |
| U15 C | 15 | 1 - 2 | 1 - 1 |
| U15 A | 15 | 2 - 2 | 2 - 1 |
| U18 C | 18 | 2 - 2 | 2 - 1 |
| U18 A | 18 | Level 3 | 2 - 3 |
| U21 C | 21 | 2 - 2 | 2 - 1 |
| U21 A | 21 | Level 3 | 2 - 3 |
New Hockey Officials
You must be at least 12 years old to be an ice official.
If you are 18 or older, you may be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.
If you have any questions on being an official with the Jets please contact our Referee In Chief at referee@richmondjetsmha.com
Step 1: Register for Online Officiating Course
Take the Hockey Canada UH Officiating 1/2 Online Course. You can start this course at any time. You must complete the survey at the end of the course for it to be considered complete. The cost for this course is $25 for the 2023/24 season.
Step 2: Sign-up for Richmond Jest Hosted In-Person Clinic
In September, we will make an online sign-up form available for anyone interested in becoming a Richmond Jets ice official and attending the in-person portion of the certification hosted by the Richmond Jets. Please note you must have completed the Hockey Canada UH Officiating Online Course before registering for the in-person clinic. The Richmond Jets typically accept about 35 new officials every year, but it's up to the discretion of the Referee in Chief.
If you are not among the first 35 players to take the course, you will be placed on a waitlist for refereeing. Please note that although you may be able to take a level 1 course in a neighbouring MHA, the priority for assigning games will be for those first 35 officials on our list.
Step 3: Register for In-Person Clinic
Once the New Level 1 Officiating Course is available online, the registration link for the Jets-hosted course will be emailed only to those who filled out the form in Step 2. We anticipate that this course will be offered by the RIC as in the past, but this is subject to approval by BC Hockey. This in-person clinic is an all day event and it typically includes a 45 minute on-ice portion. You must complete an in-person HCOP certification clinic to become fully certified as an official.
Step 4: BC Hockey Registration
Once you have completed the online Officiating Officiating Course and the in-person HCOP certification clinic, BC Hockey will process your registration. This process is usually quite fast.
Step 5: Purchase Your Officiating Gear
For first year officials, now it's time to purchase the required officiating equipment. This usually includes:
- a referee jersey
- a whistle
- a black helmet with visor
- black pants
- skates
- protective gear
Step 6: Get Access to the Richmond Jets Officiating Support Discord Server
The Richmond Jets Officiating Program proudly use a Discord server, providing a platform for support and mentorship from our more experienced referees. This initiative fosters a collaborative and accessible environment for referees to connect, share experiences, and seek advice. Participants should have received a time-sensitive link to join the Discord channel during the referee clinic. If your link has expired or if you didn't receive one, please don't hesitate to contact our RIC referee@richmondjetsmha.com or ref assignor for assistance. We encourage all our referees to take advantage of this valuable resource!
Step 7: Sign Up For Spordle
For all new officials, setting up a Spordle account is now required as game assignments for Associations and Zones are managed through the Spordle system. Simply use your Hockey Canada Member ID, email address (now is a good time for officials to get their own email account) to access the Spordle officials component. Ensure your profile is up-to-date and your email is verified. Additionally, it's important to input your available dates in the calendar and specify your preferred arena's for assignments. Under Calendar there is a settings button where you can select your Richmond Assignor (Richmond Jets MHA) and the arena's that you are willing to travel to. This setup is crucial for efficient game scheduling and communication within the officiating community.
If you do not know your Hockey Canada Member ID, please contact our registrar@richmondjetsmha.com
More information is also available on PCAHA website.
Step 8: Communication
We strongly encourage our young referees to independently reach out to our ref assignor for any assistance or questions they might have about getting set up and starting their officiating journey. Whether you're encountering issues with Spordle, need help setting up your availability, or have any other queries, we are here to support you. Proactively seeking assistance is not only about resolving immediate issues but also a crucial step in building confidence and developing key attributes for a successful referee. Remember, taking these proactive steps is integral to your growth in officiating. Ryan Shi is here to support you every step of the way!
Step 9: Welcome to the team
Welcome to our team of on-ice officials! We're thrilled to have you join us on what promises to be an exciting and rewarding journey. As an official, you play a crucial role in the world of hockey, ensuring games are fair, safe, and enjoyable for everyone involved. This path you've chosen is not just about enforcing rules; it's about being a guardian of the sport's integrity and a mentor on the ice. Your dedication, decision-making, and passion for hockey will contribute significantly to the experiences of players, coaches, and fans alike. We believe you'll find officiating to be a deeply fulfilling endeavour, offering unique challenges, continuous learning, and the camaraderie of fellow hockey enthusiasts. Welcome aboard, and here's to the many successful games ahead!
Step 10: Ongoing Mentoring
The Richmond Jets are proud to offer an outstanding mentoring program for referees. Our dedicated referee-in-chief and ref assignor take special care in pairing new referees with experienced mentors, ensuring a supportive and educational environment for those new to officiating. This mentorship extends to all our tournaments, providing continuous guidance and valuable on-ice experience. Our program is designed to develop confident and skilled referees, fostering a positive and knowledgeable officiating community. New on ice officials will have the opportunities to officiate 5-10 games on average in their first season.
Referee/Linesman Expense Allowances
Referee and linesmen expense allowances for all games within the PCAHA shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
| Division | 3 Person System | 2 Person System |
|---|---|---|
| U9 and below | N/A | $20.00/$20.00 |
| U11 C | $40.00/$31.00/$31.00 | $40.00/$40.00 |
| U11 A | $42.00/$33.00/$33.00 | $42.00/$42.00 |
| U13 C | $45.00/$35.00/$35.00 | $45.00/$45.00 |
| U13 A | $50.00/$37.00/$37.00 | $50.00/$50.00 |
| U15 C | $52.00/$39.00/$39.00 | $52.00/$52.00 |
| U15 A | $55.00/$41.00/$41.00 | $55.00/$55.00 |
| U18 C | $58.00/$43.00/$43.00 | $58.00/$58.00 |
| U18 A | $65.00/$47.00/$47.00 | $65.00/$65.00 |
| U21 / Juvenile | $70.00/$50.00/$50.00 | $70.00/$70.00 |
For any games exceeding 90 minutes, an additional $5 per official will be added for each additional 15 minutes of game time (rounded up).
No rate in excess of the above schedule shall be permitted (including exhibition, league, playoff, and tournament/jamboree games)
Where thee on-ice officials are assigned to a game but fewer than the assigned number appear, those official(s) in attendance shall be paid the single referee expense allowance per the corresponding 2-Official System rate.
If you have any questions, please let us know, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Referee Committee
Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association
Hockey Canada
Download the Hockey Canada Rule Book App
Western Officiating Development Videos
- Episode 1: Introduction
- Episode 2: Preparation & Professionalism
- Episode 3: Skating & Fitness
- Episode 4: Linesman Positioning
- Episode 5: Officials Appreciation & Recognition
- Episode 6: Communication
- Episode 7: Positioning
- Episode 8: Career Advice
- Episode 9: Conclusion
BC Hockey Apparel
Summer Officiating Camps
BC Hockey runs two summer camps which are great opportunities to develop your skills.
Awards
RJMHA makes several awards to deserving officials at the RJMHA year-end recognition ceremony. The Mel Park Award commemorates a long-time dedicated minor hockey volunteer and provides a financial scholarship to attend the BC Hockey summer officiating camp. There are also awards for Excellent in Officiating, and for Best New Official. These awards will be granted by the Referees-in-Chief.
Key Contacts
Referee Assignor
Ryan Shi
refassignor@richmondjetsmha.com
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association
As one of the largest minor hockey associations in British Columbia, the Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association offers an integrated (boys and girls) minor hockey program from Initiation to Juvenile. Featuring both recreational ("C") and competitive ("A") streams, our programs operate out of the three different facilities in the City of Richmond: Richmond Ice Centre (RIC), Minoru Arenas (Stadium and Silver Rinks), Richmond Oval (North and South rinks).
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.