Get the Gear
Just like players, officials have required equipment and optional pieces based on preferences. This resource helps to show you what you’ll need and a few options for getting your gear. The official Hockey Canada guidelines for equipment for Officials is found within the “Officiating Duties for Referee and Linespersons” resource.
Minimum Equipment Requirements
1. Black CSA certified helmet (with CSA stickers in place)
2. Helmet ear pieces
3. Clean black skates with white laces
4. CSA certified half visor
5. Hockey Canada Referee’s Casebook / Rule Combination
6. Elbow pads
7. Shin Pads
8. Clean official’s black and white sweater with the Member crest on the left chest and the Hockey Canada
crest on the left shoulder
9. Athletic support and cup
10. Black pants (no jeans)
11. Metal or black plastic whistle with finger grips
As of the 2024 – 2025 season all officials in New Brunswick must wear a BNQ certified neck guard.
Optional Items
12. Protective girdle
13. Black referee bag
14. Referee pad and pencil
15. Extra white laces
16. Extra whistle
17. Towel and soap
18. Black or White Tape
19. Shin Tights
20. Hockey Canada Rulebook App (iOS or Android)
Officiating Resources
21. Officiating Documents on Procedures and Systems
22. Off-ice Officials Manual
Where To Buy
The information below is provided to help you locate the necessary equipment you need and is not an endorsement of any brand/store. There are other options then these listed below, but this list should help get you started.
Local Association
One of the best and most cost-effective ways to get gear is by speaking with other officials to see if anyone has slightly used gear for sale. Your local association RIC may be able to assist, but just make any CSA certified equipment has not expired by checking the expiration date on the stickers.
Local Sporting Good Retailers
Many of our local sporting good retailers will have officiating equipment in their hockey section. We recommend going to purchase items at the start of the season when items are in stock or you may have to order online and have it shipped to your closest store. Retailers to check are Canadian Tire, Sportschek, Cleve’s Source for Sports, Doiron Sports Excellence, and many others.
Online Specialty Officials' Equipment Sites
Another option available now are online specialty Officials’ equipment sites that cater specificially to hockey officials. One important note for these sites is to make sure the equipment you order matches what is required by Hockey Canada. For example, there are many different types of officials jerseys, so you want to make sure you are order the type that you will need.
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