So what is really needed to become a ice hockey referee? The plain and simple answer is "desire". Everything else (commitment to standards, self control, skating and rule knowledge) can all be learned in-house and during the referee seminar that you'll attend. Anyone ages 11-70 can become a referee!

5 steps are required to become an ice hockey referee:

• 1. Go to: http://www.usahockey.com and register to become an "ice official (Referee)". USAH will then mail the rule book to you. Take your time and become familiar with it.
• 2. Obtain referee gear; black helmet, hand whistle (no neck rope), black ref pants, black & white stripe ref shirt (with removable orange bands) with or without your last name on the back, shin and groin protection. Everything else (commitment to standards, self control, skating and rule knowledge) can all be learned in-house and during the referee seminar that you’ll attend. (OfficialsWearhouse.com, HockeyMonkey.com or HockeyGiant.com are good places to start).
• 3. Pass the "open book exam" (online or hard copy) before attending the seminar. Please study, the test is difficult!
• 4. Attend the Oklahoma City Referee Seminar scheduled for October 11th at 8am. Please arrive early for registration (includes seminar fee of $20) and bring your ref gear. Seminar will be held at the Blazers Ice Center, North of SW 82nd Street Exit on I-35. Rink is located on East Access Road. Call 405-631-3308 for more information on reserving a spot in the seminar and directions to rink.
• 5. If you are a Level 1 Referee and moving up to Level 2, you must pass the close book exam given during the referee seminar that you attend.

In general, referee’s are assigned games according to skating abilities, rule knowledge and age (you have to be older then the age group of the teams). Game assignments are done by Al DeRubbio.

If you have any questions, contact AL at Section27Fan@aol.com or call 940-613-2524.