Are you interested in becoming a NEW certified ice hockey official?

Please go to our Game Time page for advice and information.

Information  FOR BHRA OFFICIALS

A link to Hockey Canada's 2010-2012 Casebook-Rulebook is available on our "Documents" page.

All outstanding 2009-2010 season cheques have been returned to the BMHA Business office.

August 15th, 2010 the pre-season starts for AA, AA & A hockey in Barrie. Senior Officials start refereeing exhibition games.

BMHA House League has staggered starts for pre-season evaluations on the September weekends. House League regular season starts October 2nd, 2010

Monthly Meetings (2010 - 2011)

Executive Meetings

An Executive meeting was held on Sunday, August 08, 2010 to cover business that has arisen over the summer.

Membership Meetings

INFORMATION SECTION

2009-2010 Hockey Canada's Rules Emphasis Bulletin

 2009-2010 Hockey Canada's Directive on Application of Rule Standards

The Officials Role In the Application of Rule Standards

Hockey Canada's National Officiating Standards

See the OMHA Memo regarding purchasing BLACK BNQ certified NECK GUARDS for REFEREES. BNQ certified "black" neck guards (or neck guard shirts) are mandatory in the OMHA for Officials beginning September 01, 2010 for the 2010-2011 season.

Purchase your BLACK BNQ certified neck guard (or BLACK BNQ certified neck guard shirt). We have been advised that any official found refereeing after September 1st without wearing a BNQ certified neck guard may be suspended by the OMHA.

Neck guards became mandatory for OHA Officials last spring.

2010 OMHA REFEREE RE-CERTIFICATION CLINICS

All Referee Clinics are run by the OMHA

New referees must attend a different "New Officials Clinic" - see our "Game Time" link above for more information.

Registration (For previously certified, returning referees ONLY) opened on July 06, 2010.

NEW INFORMATION sent out by the OMHA which we were just informed about.

Reference OMHA memo to all Minor Hockey Association Executives dated August 5th, 2010.

New this year, NO Official may referee in the 2010-11 pre-season who has not registered for a Re-Certification clinic.

Your membership registration reference number on your payment receipt is proof of registration allowing you to officiate prior to attending any re-certification clinic.

The memo says on page two, paragraph one - be warned that violators could be suspended for lengthy times, and the assignor needs to resist the urge to "slip one in now", which could destroy his future scheduling.

We (the BHRA) provide advice and information as a courtesy to help our new & younger refs who may not be aware of how the CHOP  (Canadian Hockey Officials Program) program works. We also provide additional training (off ice and on ice) to help our young referees improve faster.

The Barrie Hockey Referees Association (BHRA) does not administer Hockey Canada's referee certification program (CHOP). All local clinics are coordinated and scheduled by the OMHA, all information is provided by the OMHA, all fees are paid to the OMHA, all evaluations and promotions are handled by OMHA supervisors, and all clinics are instructed by OMHA Instructors.

You CAN NOT register for any OMHA clinic through the BMHA office, or through the BHRA. You must register, and pay on-line with a credit card, through the OMHA Clinic Registration. The OMHA released their referee recertification clinic information on July 06, 2010.

Every year, as soon as you receive your OMHA referees recertification package follow all instructions, register and pay through the OMHA on-line immediately for the Barrie Clinic. If you delay your registration after the clinic dates are released by the OMHA (even for several days) you will not get into the Barrie clinic. You will then have to travel to another city in order to rectify. Each year you can NOT referee if you have not recertified by the October deadline.

You don't need your registration form in hand if you know your CHOP number as well as your OMHA I.D. Number (the 9 digit number located on your registration form/letter beside your CHOP #). When entering your OMHA I.D. number, don't leave spaces between the digits or the system will not accept your number.

Saturday, August 21, 2010 was the date of the Barrie OMHA Referees Recertification Clinic. It was held in the Georgian College Automotive Building "H".

The OMHA Barrie Recertification clinic date has now PAST.

Anyone who missed registering on time (after numerous BHRA email reminders were sent in June and July) will now have to register for an "Out of Town" clinic and travel to another city.

If you have not received any OMHA registration information, call the OMHA office "yesterday"!! If you leave a message, make sure you give them your Referee CHOP number. They can't help you without it, and you will waste time waiting not knowing they need your number.

OMHA referee recertification clinic listings by date and location can be found here;

2010 OMHA Clinic list.

Past referee registration information can be found here;

2009-2010 OMHA Referee Membership Letter

2006-2007 OMHA Referee Membership Letter

2004-2005 OMHA Referee Membership Letter

STUDY YOUR RULEBOOK/CASEBOOK

To study for the recertification clinic exams - go to the OMHA elearning website for referees, follow the instructions and start taking the practise exams. The more times you take the practise exams the better you will do at the clinic.

Read and follow the OMHA Officials Procedures Manual (now called 2009-2010 Membership Handbook for Officials), as well as the BHRA Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations emailed to you when you joined the Association. Many problems can be avoided simply by reading through these documents. If you require an updated copy of the current Constitution, Bylaws & Regulations email your request to any member of the Executive.

BHRA DUES

BHRA Membership DUES (set by the membership each September) for returning members, and officials transferring to Barrie from other areas who wish to officiate out of Barrie, are to be submitted to the Treasurer beginning at the first meeting of the year (September).

Currently it is proposed the dues be the same as last year.

New official clinics do not take place until near the end of October, therefore brand new Officials generally join the Association (BHRA) after this October meeting. Their dues are to be submitted to the Treasurer by the November meeting.

Any BHRA member with dues in arrears after the November meeting of each year will incur an administrative penalty and will not receive game assignments after December 1st until the membership dues are paid, including the administrative penalty as per Article 7.05 of our BHRA Constitution.

You must be a BHRA member "in good standing" in order to receive Barrie game assignments.

GAME ASSIGNMENT SOFTWARE

The BMHA is now using SPORTS PLANNER for all their games, practices and referee assignments

SPORTS PLANNER - Referee assignment software for BHRA Officials doing BMHA game assignments. All other Hockey Association (i.e. AAA) games are still assigned by regular email. Use this SPORTS PLANNER (NOT UPDATED YET) link to book mark the site, then log-in, update your profile and use the assignment software.

Keep the "Available" calendar "updated" and "current"

This "Availability" feature should be filled out for many months at a time, and updated regularly as plans change. When the assignor checks a date - all names that have not been check off as unavailable pop up. This tool prevents the assignor from wasting time assigning games to officials who are not available.

It is each officials responsibility to log-in and check for assignments regularly. There is a courtesy system email prompt sent out with assignments, but it is still the individual officials responsibility to check for and then accept assignments.

When you receive an email notification of games using the SPORTS PLANNER system ignore the "respond" link in the email. DO NOT REPLY TO THE EMAIL. In order to accept or decline the games, you MUST LOG ON TO THE WEB SITE under your password. Using any other method WILL NOT result in the proper system notifications in order to accept or decline games.

Should you need to respond to any SPORTS PLANNER email, DO NOT USE the "REPLY" button, create a new email and send it to our Assignor direct. When any email is generated by the SPORTS PLANNER program, replies to these emails DO NOT go to the Assignor.

GAME ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES

Any REGULAR SEASON assignment NOT responded to after 48 hours WILL be REASSIGNED (without notice) to other officials. For PLAYOFF assignment information - see below.

All game assignments accepted by a BHRA official belong to that official. In the "rare" event an official is unable to skate his, or her game assignment for any reason then that official is responsible to find his, or her replacement. The replacement official must be the same level or higher as the original official. Notify the Assignor after a replacement official has been found, to have the records updated.

After you arrive at the rink, ask the Home Manager or Coach to bring the game sheet (and contact during playoffs) to the officials change room, for your review - prior to the start of the flood. Review it for accuracy so you can have the coaches make any corrections during the warm up meeting at each bench.

Be ready and outside waiting for the flood to finish so you are on the ice - on time, prior to the teams entering the ice surface. The warm up starts as soon as the flood is finished and the officials enter the ice. If the teams aren't coming out of the dressing rooms, request the time keeper to buzz the buzzers, and/or to knock on the teams doors. Do not let "delays because of an on-ice official" be the reason any game is curfewed.

Suspended Players or Team Officials may NOT officiate while suspended.

If you are suspended as a player/team official you MAY NOT officiate hockey games during the suspension period - "Any Official who is suspended while participating as a Player or Team Official will be ineligible to officiate until his / her suspension is satisfied. Carryover suspensions, and suspensions which extend beyond playing eligibility will be reviewed individually by the Officials Area Instructor."  (OMHAReg 8.1d. and OMHA Officiating Policies page 13).

SINGLE OFFICIAL games are PROHIBITED in the OMHA

(games where only one official is present)

See our Reference sheet for a list of OMHA Regulations violated if a single official goes ahead and officiates in a one official game. Don't do it or you will be suspended by the OMHA.

PLAYOFFS

Check your emails frequently as playoffs will be starting. Answer these emails in a timely manner as there is less time available between games and series. Playoff series move quickly. Any PLAYOFF email assignment NOT responded to on the same day MAY be reassigned (without notice) to other officials.

Keep the "Available" calendar "updated" and "current"

Far to many games are still being declined because numerous officials are not filling out their availability properly.

For out of town playoffs (assigned by our supervisors) you will be in danger of being dropped from the playoff assignment roster if you start declining playoff assignments. We recommend you wear a full suit for out of town playoff assignments, as well as for any OMHA and OHF Championship assignments.

All BHRA Officials are to be at their assigned rink with equipment in the officials dressing room 45 minutes prior to game time for all out of town playoff game assignments. DOUBLE CHECK your equipment before you leave Barrie - so you won't forget something like a "HELMET".

TOURNAMENTS and GAME DAY Procedures

All BHRA Officials are to be at their assigned rink in the officials dressing room, 30 minutes prior to all League games, and 45 minutes prior to all Tournament games dressed to the appropriate BHRA dress code. Tournament games may start 15 minutes early.

For those referees new to Barrie TOURNAMENTS, we use dressing room 5 at Allandale (Red), and dressing room E at East Bayfield (Green) instead of the Refs' room. There is more space in these dressing rooms.

After you arrive at the rink, ask the Home Manager or Coach to bring the game sheet (and contact during playoffs) to the officials change room, for your review - prior to the start of the flood. Review it for accuracy so you can have the coaches make any corrections during the warm up meeting at each bench. Follow link for BMHA 2010 Rep Tournament Rules and BMHA 2010 House League Tournament Rules

Be ready and outside waiting for the flood to finish so you are on the ice - on time, prior to the teams entering the ice surface. The warm up starts as soon as the flood is finished and the officials enter the ice. Do not let "delays because of an on-ice official" be the reason any game is curfewed.

DRESS CODE

All BHRA Officials on assignments are to be dressed according to the BHRA Dress Code.

The BHRA minimum House League Dress Code is - BHRA Officials are to be wearing casual dress pants, shirts with collars (golf shirts), and casual dress shoes.

The BHRA minimum Select, Rep Assignments and Tournament Dress Code is - BHRA officials are to be wearing casual business attire - casual dress pants, shirt and tie, and dress shoes.

We recommend you wear a full suit for out of town playoff assignments, as well as for any OMHA and OHF Championship assignments.

Under "No Circumstances" are denim jeans, track pants, jogging suits, running shoes, ball caps or team jackets allowed. If caught, you will be suspended.

 GAME SHEETS

Games sheets are to be mailed as per OMHA Regulation 18.7 which states: "After each game the referees shall be responsible to ensure the official game report is filled in properly and entirely. One copy shall be given each team. Failure to receive any official game report by a team official shall not exempt such official from any subsequent disciplinary action. The white copy (original) shall be forwarded within 24 hours to the Convener. OFFICIALS WHO FAIL TO FORWARD REPORTS PROMPTLY SHALL BE LIABLE TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION". Rep game sheets are handled as per YSMHL Instructions, or as per the ETA (AAA) RIC Instructions.

BMHA House League game sheets are to be handed in to the BMHA Concession Stands at each rink. These BMHA House League game sheets are to be placed in the BMHA boxes found at the BMHA Concession stands, unless the convener is there to pick them up in person. BMHA house league conveners will pick up their division games sheets from these boxes in the concession stands.

DO NOT LEAVE ANY BMHA GAME SHEET IN ANY BOX FOUND IN ANY REFEREES ROOM.

Each year, new timekeepers arrive. Some have little experience and no training on to how to complete game reports, or the proper coding of infractions. On-ice Officials should willingly provide advice and guidance. On-ice Officials bear the ultimate responsibility to ensure that the Official Game Report is correct and complete.

1. The Referee must check the game report after the game to ensure all penalties and codes are reported as called. If errors are found and/or additional penalties must be added to the game report after the team copies have been separated, then a notation must be put on the back side of the original copy, and the official must immediately contact the OMHA REM to explain the error.

2. All Major, Misconduct, Game Misconduct, Gross Misconduct and Match penalties must be reported, with details surrounding the penalty, on the back of the original copy. This will also include any incidents, injuries, and unusual circumstances.

3. If a Match Penalty is assessed, the Referee will take the original copy of the game report and send it, along with his Match Penalty Report (OMHA MATCH PENALTY FORM), to the OMHA Regional Executive Member (R.E.M.) within 24 hours, to detail the events (OMHA Reg 18.7b). However, telephone the R.E.M. immediately upon arriving home from the game and leave a message. R.E.M. contact info is found on page 3 of your OMHA Manual of Operations. You could also contact the League Convener to let them know about the penalty (as a courtesy) and that you sent the game sheet to the R.E.M.

Eastern Triple A League AAA                            BILL NEADLES          905.427.2003     Fax - 905.780.2152         bill.neadles@omha.ne

York-Simcoe League AA, House League          DAVE SAUNDERS      905.841.5674     Fax -   905.841.1695       david.saunders@omha.net

York-Simcoe League A, AE and Below              PHIL HENDRY            705.436.5850     Fax - 905.780.2164         phendry@omha.net

Simcoe Region BMHA House League                 PHIL HENDRY            705.436.5850     Fax - 905.780.2164         phendry@omha.net

Accuracy is important as game sheets are legal documents and it is imperative they are filled out correctly. The OMHA has some examples of common penalty coding errors made by off-ice and game officials on their website.

Hockey team coaches, and managers, see the Hockey Canada Off-Ice Officials Guide Book

OHF Minor Hockey Penalty Codes 2010 - 2011

SRMHL Minor Hockey Game Sheet Instructions

Mike's BHRA Game Sheet Tips is found here as well.

Team officials are no longer required to record their certification numbers on OMHA game sheets. However ensure all team official "Names and Signatures" are in order as they are still required. OMHA Rep hockey teams have been issued new game sheets with the certification number column removed, but house leagues may still be using older stock.

REMINDER - DO NOT place BMHA House League game sheets in the drop boxes in the referees room at any arena in Barrie. Drop all BMHA House League game sheets off at the BMHA Concessions. Mail rep game sheets as per procedures.

BARRIE ARENA CLOCKS

It is the responsibility of the Home team Manager/Coach to provide persons capable of operating the clocks, and of filling out a game sheet properly. These BMHA instruction links are posted here for your information only. It is NOT a referees responsibility to operate any clock, at any time, but it helps to be able to offer advice.

In BMHA House League games - make sure a timekeeper is present as soon as you step on the ice. If no one is in the box go directly to the home team manager and remind them. There is one division where this is a chronic problem and numerous games each weekend have been curfewed in this division because time keepers are not present to start the game - BUT the referees get blamed.

Clock Instructions

Score Clock Quick Fact Sheet

NTR Clock Instructions

 DO NOT Communicate with Team Officials regarding penalty's that carry a suspension

As per the OMHA 2008-09 Officiating Procedures Manual (page 21) and the 2009-2010 OMHA Membership Handbook For Officials (page 26) referees are always directed at every level:

2008-2009: "REFEREE'S DO NOT tell any team official how long a suspension is for any penalty."

2009-2010: "DO NOT tell any team official how long a player may be suspended"

Referee's can be suspended for a violation of the above regulation.

WHY?

2009-2010 OMHA Membership Handbook For Officials (page 26) "Player Suspensions - These are handled by the OMHA Regional Executive Members, and any enquiries should be directed to them. Do not tell any Team Official how long a player may be suspended. Due to unknown circumstances, the Player could receive a suspension greater than the minimum on the "Suspension List". REMEMBER, SILENCE CANNOT BE MISQUOTED!"

1) Referees do not handle suspensions, referees assess (call) and report penalties.

2) OMHA Regional Executive Members (can be delegated to local Conveners) issue suspensions governed by the amount of previous suspensions accumulated per player. R.E.M.'s have the authority to impose greater than the minimum.

3) The suspension guide in the 2009-2010 OMHA Manual of Operations (page 238 & 239) says on the bottom "minimum suspensions. Additional suspensions will be......"

4) If a team official gets wrong information from a ref and plays a player too soon, OMHA Manual Reg 8.1 i) the team  forfeits any game that player played in while ineligible, the coach incurs a three (3) game suspension for a first offence, and is suspended for the balance of the season for a second offence.

5) Team officials are issued their own copy of the OMHA Manual of Operations and are instructed to deal with their Convener when questions arise regarding suspensions - not with any referee.

 Do not tell any Team Official how long a player may be suspended. Due to unknown circumstances, the Player could receive a suspension greater than the minimum on the "Suspension List".

OHF Minor Hockey Minimum Suspension List 2010 - 2011

"REMEMBER, SILENCE CANNOT BE MISQUOTED!"

CURFEWS

The OMHA Manual of Operations reads as follows:

The length of the game must be adjusted to more accurately reflect the actual playing time available for the game as per Table 26.A in Regulation 26 (Not less than 3 ten minute periods.).

The adjusted length of the game along with the actual curfew time must be noted on the game sheet and signed by the responsible officials of both teams before the start of the game. Each curfewed game requires the offending Centre to complete a report to their Regional Executive Member, the League Convener, and a copy to the visiting Centre affected by the curfew, explaining the reason for the curfewed game. If there is no attempt to avoid future curfewed games by repeat offenders, the OMHA may be requested to become involved in rectifying the situation.

If there is a curfew on the game sheet, it is the on-ice officials responsibility to ensure that the game is finished at that curfew time.  The official is simply enforcing the agreement that the teams have struck.

The curfew time should be initialled by both teams. If the visiting team refuses to initial the curfew, the official should make them aware that the curfew is in place regardless. The on-ice officials must note the time remaining, should a curfew be invoked.

ETA (AAA) Bylaw Rule #10

 A game may not be curfewed, that is play stopped, unless the minimum playing time allotted has in fact elapsed. If a team believes it has been improperly curfewed, a team official shall write on the back of the game sheet that the game is under protest due to curfew violation and a protest may be filed as per Protest Rule #2.

The game length table found in the ETA Bylaws - Appendix A specifies minimum game lengths (time) based on age groups, while the OMHA table bases its game lengths on the amount of ice time available. There can be differences. If so, then the ETA rules apply.

How ON-ICE OFFICIALS can help avoid curfews:

Be ready to go on the ice prior to the teams.

Avoid lengthy delays when applying the Fair-Play Initiative.

If possible, check the game sheet before going on the ice. Check the home team has a time keeper present and ready.

Use common sense when dealing with incomplete game sheets.

If it is unquestionable that the period times will not fit in the allotted ice time ask the Home Centre if the periods can be adjusted. Do not force time changes.

How TEAM OFFICIALS can help avoid curfews:

Ensure that the times for the periods that you have chosen for your game time is in accordance with the chart in Rule 26 in the OMHA Manual or as per Appendix A and Rule 8 in the ETA (AAA) Bylaws. Remember that this is Available ice time, which will include the time required to resurface the ice. If your ice time is from 6:00 to 7:00 you should be playing periods as indicated in the OMHA Manual of Operations Schedule A of Table 26A, or as per Appendix A and Rule 8 in the ETA (AAA) Bylaws.

Ensure that your team is ready to go on the ice prior to actual game time.

Ensure that your players are all wearing their proper equipment, properly fastened.

Have the game sheet ready and completed prior to actual game time.

Have your time keeper present and ready prior to the start of the warm up.

Have your warm up time organized to avoid delays.

USED Officials EQUIPMENT

The BHRA makes available used officials (referee's) equipment to new officials who join our Association (BHRA) at a much reduced cost. To enquire about purchasing used referees equipment, or to donate equipment, please contact Joseph Rudnick.

2010 OMHA Level 3 UPGRADE CLINICS

Coming soon in the Fall of 2010

(By OMHA letter of Invitation only & at an additional cost)

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