Whether you're running a minor hockey league in Alberta or organizing tournaments in Ontario, one challenge remains consistent: finding enough qualified referees to cover your games. As participation in Canadian hockey grows, so does the demand for dependable, well-trained officials.

But it’s not just about quantity — it’s about quality. You don’t just need warm bodies. You need referees who are certified, experienced, reliable, and available when and where you need them.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for finding and managing hockey officials across Canada, and how Refr Sports can support the entire process once your crew is in place.

‍

1. Start With Provincial and Local Associations

Every province in Canada has its own officiating branch or program under Hockey Canada, which serves as the national governing body. This is usually the best place to start.

Where to look:

• Local Minor Hockey Associations (MHAs)
• Provincial officiating programs (e.g., Hockey Alberta, Hockey Québec)
• Referee development clinics hosted by sanctioned leagues or governing bodies

These groups often maintain rosters of certified officials and can help you connect with new or experienced referees in your area.

‍

2. Recruit Beyond the Traditional Pool

If you’re only looking at the same 10 names season after season, you’ll fall behind. Some of the best officials aren’t even in the system yet — they just need an opportunity.

Where to find new talent:

• Former players looking to stay involved after aging out
• Students and young adults (many start officiating as early as age 14)
• Multi-sport officials who are available in the winter
• Military veterans or service-oriented individuals open to structured roles
• Coaches or volunteers looking for flexible involvement

Programs like Battlefields to Ballfields or provincial officiating development initiatives are great resources for untapped officiating talent.

‍

3. Offer a Smooth Onboarding Experience

You found someone interested. Great. Now don’t lose them with disorganized processes.

Key onboarding steps:

• Confirm their certification level and league eligibility
• Set them up with uniform and gear resources
• Walk them through how they’ll receive assignments
• Pair them with a mentor for their first few games
• Communicate expectations clearly and early

Once they’re added into your Refr account, you can easily assign them to entry-level games and track their development over time.

‍

4. Match Officials to the Right Games

Assigning the right referee to the right game matters just as much as getting the spot filled. Pairing a new official with a fast-paced U18 AAA game is a quick way to lose them.

In Refr, assignors can:

• Filter by experience level and certification
• Assign officials by tier, age group, or league
• Create development pathways using lower-pressure game assignments
• Rotate roles to gradually build confidence

This helps reduce early burnout and gives new referees time to learn in real-game settings.

‍

5. Retain Officials by Supporting Them

Recruiting new referees is important. But keeping the ones you already have is just as critical.

Officials are more likely to stick around when:

• Communication is consistent
• Scheduling is transparent
• They’re assigned fairly and according to their availability
• They feel part of a team, not just a list of names

Inside Refr, assignors can handle all communications in-platform, avoid last-minute mix-ups, and give referees visibility into their schedules and pay tracking. This improves trust and increases retention over time.

‍

6. Use a Platform That Helps You Stay Organized

Finding referees is step one. Managing them at scale is where things get complicated.

Refr helps hockey assignors by:

• Keeping referee info, availability, and preferences in one place
• Making assignment confirmation and communication seamless
• Filtering officials by region, league, and experience
• Tracking pay and performance history for each referee
• Simplifying replacements when turnbacks happen

Whether you’re assigning 20 games or 200, Refr gives you the clarity and control to do it efficiently.

‍

Final Thoughts

Hockey in Canada depends on referees — and finding the right ones doesn’t happen by accident. It takes smart recruiting, clear onboarding, and systems that support development and retention over the long haul.

If you're building your crew for the upcoming season, now’s the time to get ahead. And once you've got the people in place, Refr Sports is here to help you manage every shift, update, and assignment with confidence.