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 who are 18+ require a Criminal Record Check.
For full details, visit:
BC Hockey – Getting Started
Getting Started with Spordle
- Get updates from PCAHA: https://pcaha.ca/games-spordle/
- Games for all Associations are now assigned in Spordle.
- Officials can register at:
Spordle Officials - Log in using your email and verify your profile settings.
- Enter your HCR ID and make sure your profile is accurate.
- Click on every arena you are willing to travel to.
If an arena is unchecked, you will not see game options for that location. - If you’re already registered, simply update your profile and add more arenas.
- Add your availability in the calendar and check the arenas you want to work in.
- If the steps above are completed, you will start seeing games you are qualified to request.
- Spordle sends automatic notifications for added, changed, or cancelled games.
- For help, contact our Referee-in-Chief or Ref Assignor.
Supervision Requests
Officials can request supervisions through our Jets officiating coaches.
To submit a request, send an email to:
referee@richmondjetsmha.com AND refassignor@richmondjetsmha.com
Subject Line: *FIRST+LAST NAME* Supervision Request
Please include your upcoming games in this format:
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Division + Level
- Discipline (Referee / Linesperson)
Example:
Sept. 27, 7:00PM – 8:30PM — Richmond Ice Centre Forum — U13A — Referee
Sept. 29, 11:00AM – 12:30PM — Minoru Silver — U11C — Linesperson
Please list multiple games to improve supervision chances. Supervisions will only occur in games assigned by Ryan or Jeff. Do not include tournament games.
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: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 |
|---|---|---|
| U7 & U9 | U9 full ice - $35 / $27 / $27 | U7 - $20.00/$20.00 per ref / U9 Full Ice 2 person - $35.00/ref |
| 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.
Four Official System Pilot Project in U18 “A” and U21 “A”
For the 2025-2026 season, U18 “A” and U21 “A” shall utilize the four-person officiating system. The officials’ expense allowances shall be as follows:
Division: U18A
Each Referee - $59.00
Each Linesperson - $47.00
U21 “A”
Each Referee - $64.00
Each Linesperson - $50.00
Should fewer than four officials appear for a U18 “A” or U21 “A” game, the normal expense allowances for 3 or fewer officials shall apply (see above).
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
Officiating Pathway & Progression
Richmond Jets officials follow the BC Hockey Officiating Pathway. As you gain experience, training, and positive supervision reports, you can move up to higher levels and more competitive games.
1. Build Experience at Your Current Level
- Start with divisions that match your current HCOP level and age (see grading table above).
- Focus on skating, positioning, signals, communication, and game management.
- Accept a mix of C and A games so you see different speeds and game situations.
2. Ask for Feedback & Supervisions
- Use the “Supervision Requests” process on this page to request an officiating coach.
- After each supervised game, ask what to work on next (positioning, presence, rule knowledge, etc.).
- Engage and ask questions and learn from senior officials.
3. Moving Up Levels
- Level 1 → Level 2: Consistently strong performance in U11–U13,
good skating, confident calls, and positive feedback from mentors and the RIC. - Level 2 → Level 3: Proven performance in U15–U18 A games,
strong rule knowledge, calm game management, and recommendation from the RIC
to BC Hockey. - Officials who excel may be recommended for BC Hockey programs such as
Championships, the Officiating Program of Excellence (OPoE), and eventually
High-Performance leagues.
4. Talk to Us About Your Goals
If you are interested in moving up, email our Referee-in-Chief at referee@richmondjetsmha.com and our Ref Assignor at refassignor@richmondjetsmha.com.
Let us know your current level, the divisions you are working, and your short-term goals (for example: “ready for more U15 A” or “aiming for Level 3”), and we can help you build a plan.
Learn more from the full BC Hockey Policy Manual
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.
Referee of the Year Award
Each season, Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association presents a Referee of the Year award at our year-end recognition ceremony. This award honours an official who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, professionalism, and growth throughout the season.
Officials are nominated by RJMHA members, and the final selection is made by our Referee-in-Chief and Ref Assignor.
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.