Off-Ice Official Responsibilities and Procedures

Every hockey game requires the participation of numerous people. Players, coaches, and officials make up the most visible faction of a hockey game. Slightly less visible, but equally important, members of the officiating team include the off-ice officials. The game could not take place without someone willing to keep score, operate the time clock or monitor penalty situations. Off-ice officials are considered an extension of the on-ice officiating team. In order for the game to run smoothly, a competent and cohesive group of off-ice officials are necessary to assist the on-ice crew.

As part of the game officiating team, it is imperative for the off-ice officials to remain impartial at all times. This can be difficult to do, especially since off-ice officials are often from the local area and would typically be in the stands "pulling" for their home team. However, impartiality must be maintained at all times in order to dispel any notions of favoritism and to create the positive playing environment. If you have difficulty in accomplishing this, you may wish to review your involvement as an off-ice official. We certainly expect the on-ice officials to remain impartial and teams should expect the same standard from off-ice officials.

The role of the off-ice official includes undivided attention to the game in progress. The game clocks must be stopped and started at the appropriate times and special attention should be paid as to whether the clock is functioning properly. Goals, assists and penalties, as reported by the referee, must be recorded accurately and quickly in order to minimize unnecessary delays. Penalty expiration situations must also be handled smoothly and efficiently in order to create a fair playing environment. If there are any questions or uncertainty regarding a situation, the issue must be addressed with the on-ice officials as soon as possible. All of these special tasks require the complete attention of the off-ice officials for the duration of the game. Failure to do so may result in a less than totally positive game environment for all of the game participants. Therefore, an adequate attention span is crucial to each role fulfilled by off-ice officials. You must be able to immerse yourself into a game, and not take your eyes off of it for even a moment. Referees, coaches, players, newscasters, announcers and fans all have to rely on your information, so it must be accurate.

While it helps to be a player or ex-player, it is not essential. However, as a minimum you must have a working knowledge of the rules of hockey. You must be able to notice and distinguish goals from assists to penalties on a moment's notice.

For more information, you may find it beneficial to review the USA Hockey Off-Ice Officiating Manual

The Director of Off-Ice Officials ensures capable Off-Ice Officials are assigned to each game, are in their proper positions at the start of the game, and that each executes their duties correctly. This person will act as liaison between the Off-Ice Officials and area management should any questions or problems need to be addressed.

Qualifications

• Must have an above average knowledge of hockey game procedures and experience as an off-ice official.

Responsibilities

• Establishes home game schedule on OiO website.
• Requests OiO provide their availability for scheduled home games.
• Assigns available and capable OiOs to each scheduled home game.
• Works to on-board new OiOs as necessary.
• Coordinates with other game-related personnel to ensure all OiO needs are met and OiO team meets all required of them.
• Substitutes as desired/necessary on any of the OIO positions.

Arrives At Rink: No less than 90 minutes prior to puck drop

Qualifications

• Must have an above average knowledge of hockey rules and procedures.
• Ability to devote undivided attention to the game.
• Multi-tasking capabilities highly recommended.
• Above average computers skills recommended.
• Successfully complete two games training with a qualified scorekeeper (one game watching, second game doing).

Responsibilities Before the Game

• Layout Quicksheets with clipboard for each OiO and radios as appropriate
• Ensure OiO wifi (Hidden SSID: nmoio) is active
• Obtain and then verify (no duplicate player numbers, six starters identified, etc.) a copy of the visiting team's lineup signed by the visiting team's head coach.
• Make ten copies of the signed, visiting team lineup.
• Provide a copy of the signed visiting team's lineup with starters to the home team coach.
• Obtain a copy of the home team's lineup with starters identified signed by the home team's head coach.
• Make ten copies of the signed, home team lineup.
• Provide a copy of the signed home team's lineup with starters to the visiting team coach.
• Clarify with visiting team coach that two timeclocks will be operating during the game.
• Provide signed lineup copies for home and visiting teams to the on-ice officials prior to the game.
• Verify referee's awareness for media timeout
  • NAHL First after 12, second after 8, media TO curfew at 5. Minimum of 3 minutes between Firts and second
  • NA3HL one timeout after 12 and before 5
• Clarify with referee that two timeclocks will be operating during the game.
• Verify OiO assignments for the night with OiO team and make any necessary announcements for OiO's.
• Provide copies of the lineups to penalty box attendants, and shots spotter.
• Prepare four of the signed lineup copies for the media team and place on Marketing Director's desk.
• Log into the scorekeeper computer and launch scorekeeping software.
• Enter visiting and home team lineups (NAHL only - indicate starters).
• During pre-game warmups, confirm through Penalty Box OiO's that lineups match players on the ice (notify ref of discrepencies).
• During pre-game warmups, clarify with the Timekeeper the referee media timeout preference and procedure for the night.
• After pre-game warmups are complete, gather OiOs for pre-game huddle (This falls to PTK if Scorekeeper is otherwise engaged).

Responsibilities During the Game

• Manage scorekeeping game clock start and stop throughout the game. NOTE: Scorekeeper's game clock may feed live TV on-screen game clock so scorekeepers should do their best to ensure game start and stops are reflected accurately.
• Log goals, penalties, and any goalie changes as they occur throughout the game.
• For NA3HL only, increment goalies saves into the scorekeeper software as reported by Shots Spotters .
• As required provide iced pucks to the on-ice officials.
• Monitor for goalie changes or empty net situations (Goal Judges are tasked with capturing this data, but a backup is never a bad thing).
• If necessary track and enter shootout results in scorekeeping software and as appropriate capture to the Quicksheet.
• Between periods ensure plus/minus players are updated into scorekeeping software.
• Between periods update the shots on goal info as appropriate.

Responsibilities After the Game

• Enter the beginning and ending times fo the game into the Pre-game section in scorekeeper software.
• Review and if necessary correct any errors.
• As appropriate, check with Home and Away coaches to review and verify if there are any needed changes to goal scorers.
• As appropriate, verify penalty data with the head referee and confirm their authorization to close out the game.
• Close out the game in the scorekeeper software.
• Prior to leaving the scorekeeper's box, reset scoreboard for new game, and toogle game/time button to display the time.
• Ensure scorekeeper area is clean before closing and locking the door
• If necessary, return the scorekeeper's booth key to skate rental desk.
• As necessary, return clipboards, radios, and OiO materials to the OiO locker.
• Retain paper game notes to assist with any post game query.

Arrives At Rink: No less than 90 minutes prior to puck drop

Qualifications

• Must have an above average knowledge of hockey rules and procedures.
• Ability to devote undivided attention to the game.
• Complete two training games with a qualified timekeeper (Preferred one game watching, second game doing).

Responsibilities Before the Game

• Review a copy of the night's Event Timing Sheet to ensure understanding of the event's time requirements (if any questions, ask Marketing Director).
• Ensure scorekeeper box is unlocked (skate rental for key)
• Prior to warm ups, verify both the horn and the buzzer are working with both mouse click and keyboard shortcuts. (H - Horn, B - Buzzer) Contact TV booth personnel if not working.
• Prior to warm ups, verify timeout length setting is configured for one minute (1:00) in the OPTIONS > OTHER SETTINGS section on the scoreboard.
• Prior to warm ups, verify team names and logos are correct on the scoreboard. Change either if necessary. (Contact Marketing Director if a team logo is missing.)
• According to the Event Timing Sheet, ensure the clock is set and started for warm-ups (usually 50 minutes before the game).

Responsibilities During the Game

• Coordinate with the home goal judge to ensure that 5 minute warnings are provided to both teams and referees prior to any on-ice time prior to the game or following an intermission.
• Coordinate with scorekeeper to update shots on goal in a timely manner.
• Operate the scoreboard including starting and stopping the clock with the game play, logging goals, penalties, and shots on goal as they occur throughout the game.
• Be familiar with media timeout schedule as outlined in the night's timing sheet and rules around those timeouts.
• As necessary, alert the scorekeeper when the timekeeper is about to start the clock.
• As required provide iced pucks to the on-ice officials.

Responsibilities After the Game

• Clean up around the timekeeper area.
• Verify with Scorekeeper there are no post-game needs prior to departing the rink.

Arrives At Rink: No less than 90 minutes prior to puck drop

Qualifications

• Must have an above average knowledge of hockey rules and procedures.
• Ideally, this person would have ice hockey referee training or experience.
• Ability to devote undivided attention to the game.

Responsibilities Before the Game

• Coordinate with the scorekeeper (SK) and timekeeper (TK) how information will be passed. Remember, the SK and TK will also have their own unique communication requirements.

Responsibilities During the Game

• Serve as "real time eyes on the overall game" in the scorekeeper box and transmit information to the scorekeeper and timekeeper as rapidly and succinctly as possible.
• Verify all penalty data is accurately relayed to the Scorekeeper and Timekeeper.
• Assist penalty box OiOs to manage all penalty related data and logistics.
• Relay shot counts as reported by Shot Spotters to the Timekeeper (and Scorekeeper as appropriate) as they occur to ensure scoreboard and official shot count stays in sync.

Responsibilities After the Game

• Assist with any clean up in the scorekeeper's area.
• Verify with Scorekeeper there are no post-game needs prior to departing the rink.

Arrives At Rink: No less than 60 minutes prior to puck drop

Qualifications

• Must possess at minimum a working knowledge of rules surrounding what constitutes a goal in hockey.
• Ability to devote undivided attention to the game.
• There shall be one Goal Judge at each goal. These home goal judge shall be stationed behind the GJH net and the visiting goal judge as close to the back of the goal as possible during the progress of play, in properly screened areas, so that there can be no interference with their activities. They shall not change goals during the game.
• Goal Judges shall not be a member of either team engaged in a game, nor shall they be replaced during its progress unless, after commencement of the game it becomes apparent that either Goal Judge, because of partisanship, or any other cause, is guilty of making inaccurate and prejudiced decisions, in which case the Referee may appoint a replacement.

• Goal Judge OiO assignments are designated by GJH for the Home bench-side of the arena and GJV for the Visitor's bench-side of the arena

Responsibilities Before the Game

• Be in position prior to pre-game warmups to evaluate your goal judge's area and ensure all is ready for game action including setting up your work area, including rolling out the cable and verifying the goal light is fully operational.
• The Home bench-side Goal Judge shall provide 5-minutes-to-go warning to the both team's locker rooms and the referees' locker room before participants are scheduled to be on the ice for pre-game warmups and team introductions.

Responsibilities During the Game

• The Goal Judge is solely responsible to determine whether the puck has passed between the goal posts, under the crossbar and entirely over the goal line, and if so immediately light the goal indicator lamp. The light should remain on for 3-5 seconds.
• It is their responsibility to follow the course of the puck at all times. The Referee might find himself in a position to call upon the Goal Judge to give their view of the play and to help determine whether or not the puck completely crossed the goal line.
• To avoid inadvertent goal signals, the goal judge should avoid holding a thumb or finger directly over the button during game play. (Perhaps off to the side.)
• If an inadvertent light goes on the Goal Judge shall immediately turn the light off.
• The Home bench-side Goal Judge shall provide 5-minutes-to-go warning to the both team's locker rooms and the referees' locker room before participants are scheduled to be on the ice between periods.

Responsibilities After the Game

• Remove any cups or trash from your area, roll up goal lamp button, return goal lamp button and cable to designated storage area, and slide goal judge chair to designated area.
• Verify with Scorekeeper there are no post-game needs prior to departing the rink.

Arrives At Rink: No less than 60 minutes prior to puck drop

Qualifications

• Must possess at minimum a working knowledge of hockey penalties and hockey penalty-related procdures.
• Ability to devote undivided attention to the game.

• Penalty Box OiO assignments are designated by PBH for the Home bench-side of the arena and PBV for the Visitor's bench-side of the arena

Responsibilities Before the Game

• Home Penalty Box OiO is responsible to gather and prepare the Video Review tablet to be available for use by the referee. (Refer to separate Video Replay checklist for instructions.)
• Verify lineups match players on the ice during pre-game warmups (notify scorekeeper of any discrepancies).
• Ensure water bottles and towels for players and for refs (Home box) are placed in respective penalty boxes.

Responsibilities During the Game

• Open and close door for penalized player. (NOTE: Put down your clipboard and use both hands to open and close the door.)
• If preferred, track line changes to ensure accurate listing of players on the ice for plus/minus.
• Log penalties and assist Scorekeeper and Penalty Timekeeper as necessary.
• Ensure sweater numbers of players on the ice when the goal was scored are captured for your assigned bench on the Quicksheet (except the goalie).
• As requested, provide the Video Review tablet to the head referee.
• During intermission, and immediately following the period-ending game buzzer provide plus/minus data to the Scorekeeper.

Responsibilities After the Game

• Remove any cups, trash, or other items from the penalty box.
• Collect water bottles and towels and place in the bucket in home-side penalty box.
• Home Penalty Box OiO is responsible to close out and return the Video Review tablet to the rink managers office. (Refer to separate Video Replay checklist for instructions.)
• Verify with Scorekeeper there are no post-game needs prior to departing the rink.

Arrives At Rink: No less than 60 minutes prior to puck drop

Qualifications

• Must possess at minimum a working knowledge of hockey and what constitutes an actual shot on goal in hockey.
• Ability to devote undivided attention to the game.

Responsibilities Before the Game

• Pick up a clipboard, pen, radio, and tablet (as appropriate) from OiO gathering area. (Refer to separate tablet checklist as appropriate.)
• NA3HL Games: Verify walkie talkie is working. (Tablet not used for NA3HL games)

Responsibilities During the Game

• Work diligently to ensure field of view is not obsrtucted for camera operators behind the shot spot position at the broadcast table.
• Individually, or when two shot spotters are scheduled working as a team, record shots on goal data including the team and player number for each shot on goal during the game. (tablet, paper record, and radio).
• Immediately at the beginning of each intermission and end of game verify the totals on your Quicksheet (confirm values match via radio to Scorekeeper and/or with software).

Responsibilities After the Game

• Ensure your work area is cleared of any debris including cups or other trash, as well as team lineups, etc.
• Verify with Scorekeeper there are no post-game needs prior to departing the rink.
• Return clipboard, tablet, and radio to the OiO locker prior to leaving the rink.