Officiating is for anyone who can skate and enjoys the rules of hockey. No matter your age, working as a hockey official is full of unexpected benefits. You are part of a game you love. You get to exercise while at work. You are paid well above what you can earn in most other part time jobs. You have complete flexibility of when or where you want to work. You get to know a lot of different people and learn about their interesting lives off the ice. 

The majority of refs I work with view officiating just like any other job. They work their games to earn money to help cover their expenses like car payments, phone bills, child care. While we all start in the same place, some people begin to see a different path for themselves. They want to advance to working the higher level games. Not all officials are interested in advancement and that’s great! Each weekend during the season, we need officials who simply want to be on the ice with U8 and U10 kids. If everyone only wanted to work in the NHL, the system and the game would collapse!

For those that do want to reach the higher levels, advancement as a hockey official is surprisingly similar to that of a hockey player. Most referees work youth games their whole career, much like how most players only play hockey at the youth level. Few hockey officials will progress to high school or junior hockey. An even smaller number will advance to work in any division of the NCAA. The numbers get even smaller and smaller as you introduce levels like the AHL, the Olympics, and, of course, the NHL. 

The most important thing to remember is that both paths are valid, necessary, and important. Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to make a decision when you first start as a kid. Begin working, and you will quickly see which path you want to take. 

I definitely fall into the group that wants to advance to officiating at the higher levels. I’m constantly working to improve my skills. I’m very open to feedback and coaching. I often watch videos during ice cuts to review any challenging situations in the game to discuss with my more veteran partners. I participate in development camps during the off season. I do specific exercises that are designed to improve agility and performance on the ice. These days, I focus less on the money paid for working each game, and instead look for assignments that give me the chance to work with the highest level of players and the most experienced officials.

If you’re curious about the details of advancement, please see below.

To start, what are the different levels of hockey?

1. U6-U14: all of this youth hockey is where you learn how to referee and be in control of a game. Towards the end of this journey, a good goal for youth officials to work towards is earning a state or regional tournament assignment. These highly prized assignments are some of the best games in youth hockey. 
2. U15-U18: Older teenagers playing hockey is a significant step up. The players are way faster, stronger, and more violent. You see things you would never expect to see on a rink in these games, giving you crucial experience for junior and collegiate hockey. 
3. High School Hockey: While it is the same age as U15-U18 hockey, these games often use 3 or 4 officials. Working in these 3 or 4 official systems is a different style of officiating with new skills required. Games in High School are played with fans and intensity not commonly found in regular U15-U18 hockey. It’s a ton of fun, and good development.
4. Junior Hockey: It doesn’t exist everywhere in the U.S., so sometimes this “rung” of the development ladder is skipped by officials. Low level (T3) junior hockey isn’t always great; it is often surpassed by high school (especially prep) and Midget hockey. But it is a far more exciting and, unfortunately, violent game than those levels. It is the best place to hone your skills, especially as a referee, as penalty management is a must.
5. College Hockey: For many, this is the end goal. College hockey is chock full of its own levels, each one harder to achieve than the prior one. This is a close up view of great hockey. Past here, it is just semi-pro, international, and pro hockey!

So how do you move through these levels? 

While it varies by locale, most districts have a District Evaluation Program where supervisors will evaluate and mentor officials. Also, assignors are often willing to come to games to give feedback. Another good way to become a better official is through development camps. It might surprise you to learn that there are many camps over the summer just for officiating. I’ve done some through my local assignors, while others were at the state and district levels. These camps are often held in conjunction with big tournaments or player development camps, so they are a perfect time to have people watch you and give you feedback. A quick check of your local officiating websites, reaching out to assignors, or a call/email to your State or District RIC are the best way to find out if these programs exist in your area. 

Some final words: assignors are always looking for young officials that love the game and put the work in to advance to the higher levels. If you ever want to figure out where you are or what levels you can work, just reach out and get the conversation started. Trust me, advancing through the ranks is fun! It is well worth the challenge.