Referee in Chief Brian Obed 306 280-3162
60 Plus Hockey Referees Guide
Statement
We in 60 plus hockey are about camaraderie, sportsmanship, and safe play. With respect to that, we as a league, have decided to referee our own games. A request is made of each player to referee at least once throughout the year. There is no expectation of high-level officiating, only participation. Please consider giving back to the league you enjoy playing in.
To add consistency to the way we referee, please use the following as a guide when you are refereeing. Each person refereeing will bring his own style to the game. How you call and what you call will ultimately be a personal thing; however, we do encourage our referees to call the infractions they see, as we are trying to make the same calls [ example–. icing, penalties, shift length] consistently from game to game. Safety is a prime concern, and our officials are asked to manage the game with this in mind.
Unique to our 60+ Hockey league:
Whistle Games:
– these occur from time to time when the 3rd line is involved.
- One referee usually calls the line change.
- Try to have continuous play 75 to 90 seconds. Off-sides, penalties and goals may contribute to a slightly longer shift, at the discretion of the official.
- Two quick whistles are sounded to indicate line change.
- line changes (once the whistle blows, leave as quickly as possible, so play can resume). The team with the puck may advance the puck, unchallenged until the first member of the advancing team crosses the red line.
Penalty Enforcement for Whistle Games
- Upon an infraction(penalty), play is stopped immediately, the offending player is to leave the ice to the player’s bench, missing the rest of that shift and one more.
- If a player is CUT by a High Stick for example—the offending player is issued a Major Penalty and is to leave the ice immediately; missing the rest of that shift and two more.
- EXCEPTIONS: Last 3 minutes of the game, or if the infraction occurs on a break- away…result: Penalty shot.
- If the player is Cut severely and can’t continue playing that game; the offending player has to leave the game as well.
- The non-offending team is to have the puck each time. They are to have clear passage until the first of their players crosses the red line.
Change-On-The-Fly Games:
these mainly occurs when 1st line plays 1st line or 2nd line plays 2nd line or a mix of 1st and 2nd lines.
- These are not whistle games
- These games are Change-on -the fly-continuous play
Penalty Enforcement for Change-On-The-Fly Games
- Penalties are 3 minutes since we’re not playing stop time. The referees will give the offending player the time when they can return to play.
- EXCEPTIONS: Last 3 minutes of the game, or if the infraction occurs on a break- away…result: Penalty shot.
- If a player is CUT by a High Stick for example—the offending player is issued a 7-Minute Major Penalty and is to leave the ice immediately. This Major Penalty is a full 7 minutes even though a goal or more maybe scored. If the player is Cut severely and can’t continue playing that game; the offending player has to leave the game immediately as well.
Procedures
- Games are 75 minutes long. Be sure you start the clock on time as we and the Schroh Arena Staff have a schedule to maintain.
- Please start the clock on time even though the players/goalies are not ready.
- How to set the clock? (click here)
Use a two-man system:
Lead official precedes the play, watching for off-side, and the activities of the puck carrier and checker of the puck carrier. Take a position between the goal line and lowest face-off dot once the play is in the offensive end.
Trail official follows the play, watching the remaining 8 skaters for infractions. Set up near the blue line in the offensive end.
Upon the reversal of play, the responsibilities reverse. The Trail official becomes the Lead and precedes the play to the opposite end. Do not stop at the blue line. Continue into the offensive end and set up between the goal line and lowest face-off dot.
During play
Officials watch for infractions of the rules, with emphasis on controlling ‘stick work’.
- Tripping and hooking.
- Slashing-includes downward motion across the shaft of the stick or on the player’s body.
- Contact of an opponent with the stick above the opponent’s waist, or on the hands, should be penalized.
- Intentional contact of the puck, with the stick above the shoulders, is a penalty in ‘old timers’ hockey.
- CHANGE: Contact of the puck by stick above the waist but lower than the shoulder, is an infraction. The play is stopped and the puck awarded to the opposition in the same manner as a line change (clear passage to the red line).
– As well, watch for intentional interference …using the body to impede progress.
Crease area
Offending players are not to be in the crease during play. If an offending player enters the crease during play, play is whistled down, and a face-off occurs outside the blue line. If the Goalie is contacted; it’s an infraction and should be penalized and the face-off goes all the way down to the offending teams zone.
NOTE: When the puck strikes the goaltender’s mask, at anytime, the play is IMMEDIATELY stopped. No other play can continue including a goal.
NEW: A player with puck travelling toward the net must avoid contact with the goalie.
If the player is approaching from the side, a ‘cut-back’ action is recommended to help avoid a collision. If deemed a dangerous play or the goalie is contacted; the player receives a penalty. Puck is dropped in the offending team’s zone.
If an offending player is intentionally pushed into the goaltender-both players will be penalized.
Play and Icing
- Icing– (once the defensive player crosses his blue-line with the puck– icing is NOT in effect). When icing is called, the non-offending team is allowed to bring the puck across their blue line- UNCHALLENGED.
- Delayed off-side (all attacking players are to be clear before any player re-enters the zone). Clear means that they must be outside the blue line or at least make skate contact with the blue-line.
CARHA Rule Book
- The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League mainly follows the Canadian Adult Recreation Hockey Association’s Rule Book.
- Rules, penalties, infractions, major infractions, suspensions and many other areas are all covered within in their rule book.
- The CARHA Rules can be found within our 60+ league Constitution which we strongly suggest you read.
- Our 60+ Constitution can be found on our Website—Saskatoon 60plushockey.net
General Information
- There are referee bibs and helmets available for the officials.
- There are some hand-held whistles available but they are sometimes hard to hear.
- We strongly suggest-bring your own whistle that you blow.
- There are frozen pucks in the freezer in the dressing room. Take 2 out for the game. Please keep them separate from the warm-up pucks at game’s end.
- When you volunteer to ref, if you have not done so before, or are feeling apprehensive, pair yourself with an experienced official.
Enjoy Being an Official—have fun, learn and appreciate everyone on the ice and they will appreciate you!
Safety of Everyone is Priority 1.
Play Safe/Stay Healthy!