Risk Management
What do I need to do as a referee?
What are some typical situations I might
run into?
How do I deal with them?
What do I need to do as a referee?
• As a referee you need to:
– Be Fair
– Be Safe
– Make the Call
What rules do I follow?
• The Rules of Hockey Canada
– The rules are set for all levels of hockey
– Breaking the rules can result in penalties and
suspensions
– Rules help keep us all safe
Who says I have to follow the rules?
• Hockey Alberta
• Hockey Canada
• Your Local Referee Zone
Who wants me to follow the rules?
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Hockey Alberta
Hockey Canada
Your Local Referee Zone
The Teams
The Players
The Fans
• Your fellow officials!
How am I going to do this?
Be Fair
• To Yourself  don’t put yourself in bad
situations
• To Players  don’t be biased or hold grudges
• To Fans  understand the excitement in the
game of hockey
• To Coaches  set fair limits on what they can
do
How am I going to do this?
Be Safe
• For Yourself  don’t put yourself in bad
situations
• For Players when in doubt, protect the
players
• For Fans  don’t get involved with spectators
• For Coaches  set fair limits on what they can
do
How am I going to do this?
Make the Call
• For Yourself  be consistent in your
application of rules
• For Players when in doubt, protect the
players
• For Fans the right call, even if unpopular, is
still the right call
• For Coaches  be confident and consistent in
your application of the rules
What are some situations I might run into?
• Intimidation, bullying or harassment by players,
coaches, fans or other officials
– Use your rule book (penalties, ejections)
– Report the behavior to your Zone
You are not alone. Reach out to someone in
your Zone for support!
What are some situations I might run into?
• Changing/showering with officials of the opposite
sex or who are under the age of 18
– Other officials should leave the room to allow
their teammates the chance to change in privacy
– Avoid situations where someone might question
what you’re doing
We always want to avoid the appearance of being
inappropriate
What are some situations I might run into?
• Supervisor or other official treats you poorly
– You have a right to be treated with respect even where
you might disagree with someone else
– Report any officials who don’t treat you appropriately
Reach out to your Zone Executive as we take these
matters very seriously!
Things to Remember…
… Before the Game
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Be on time
Have your equipment
Check the gamesheet
Inspect the ice surface and nets
Deal with equipment issues
Be FAIR - Be SAFE - MAKE THE CALL
Things to Remember…
… During the Game
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Be consistent
Make the right call
Be aware of the type of game you have
Work with your partner(s)
Be FAIR - Be SAFE - MAKE THE CALL
Things to Remember…
… During the Game
• Never climb the glass or sit on the boards;
• Be physically fit;
• TURN toward the puck;
• FACE the shooter squarely;
• BRACE for impact
Be FAIR - Be SAFE - MAKE THE CALL
Things to Remember…
… After the Game
• Don’t get caught up in discussions with coaches,
players or fans
• Be clear in any write ups
• Report any issues to your Zone Executive
Be FAIR - Be SAFE - MAKE THE CALL
Things to Remember…
… At all Times
• Your actions as a Referee reflect on all of us
• Avoid situations that might cause people to question
your behavior
• Be professional and use the tools you have to
manage and avoid conflict
Be FAIR - Be SAFE - MAKE THE CALL