Certification Process
If you are ready to move ahead with the ceritification process, following is more information on how to register for the upcoming season and become certified:
Registration:
The first step in becoming an official is to register online as an ice official at www.usahockey.com/officials. All officials MUST register with USA Hockey, attend an official's seminar, and pass the open book exam each season to become certified.
All officials MUST register for a seminar online at www.usahockey.com/officialseminars PRIOR to attending a seminar!! Officials' registration with USA Hockey is now open for the 2023-24 season.
**Please note things are subject to change**
Click on this link to the MN Hockey website for all seminars:
https://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/1302348-minnesota-officials-seminars
If you have any questions regarding any seminars, contact Mac Nelson at http://mackenzienelson@hotmail.com
Any time a Minnesota team is the home team, no matter WHERE the game is played, the USA Hockey rule differences are as follows (league and tournament games use those rules accordingly):
**If the period length is 15 minutes or less, minor penalties are 1:30 in length.
The penalty for fighting in the Junior Gold and 16 & Under classification for the first offense will be the remainder of the game and a three-game suspension. For a second violation the player will be suspended from all participation for the remainder of the season.
At the Junior Gold and 16 & Under classifications, a Game Ejection may be called on any player/team official. A player/team official receiving this penalty will be removed only from the game being played.
At the Junior Gold and 16 & Under classification, a Game Ejection shall be automatically assessed when a player receives a third penalty during a single game. The player shall immediately be removed from the ice and another player shall serve the penalty. Enforcing this penalty is the joint responsibility of the referees, the scorekeeper, the coach and the player.
These penalties will be reported due to the Progressive Suspensions rule that takes effect this season.
(Note) USA Hockey is committed to providing a safe and fair environment for all participants. While the vast majority of players participate within the rules and respect the game and their opponents, USA Hockey recognizes the need to hold those players and coaches deemed to be repeat offenders accountable for their actions. Beginning with the 2014-15 playing season, the Progressive Suspensions rule will take affect nationally.
(a) Any player who receives their third major penalty during the same season for any combination of aggressive infractions listed below shall receive an additional three-game suspension. For any player who receives their fourth major penalty in this category, the player shall receive an additional five-game suspension. Any player who receives their fifth major penalty in this category during the same season shall be suspended until a hearing is conducted by the proper authorities (USA Hockey Affiliate). These designated game suspensions shall be in addition to any other suspensions imposed through the official playing rules.
Aggressive Infractions
Minnesota Hockey has adopted a rule that helps support USA Hockey's Zero Tolerance Policy. A spectator who was asked to leave the arena because of inappropriate conduct will also incur a suspension of attending the next three games.
Director of Officials
Phone: 218-371-7001
USE THIS LINK WHEN FILING YOUTH GAME REPORTS
*All district games are noted on Ecliptic
All Squirt, U10, U12 and Peewee DISTRICT games are 15 minute periods with 1 ½ penalties with a 5 min OT if needed. No exceptions
All Bantam and U15 DISTRICT games are 17 minute periods with 2 minute penalties with a 5 min OT if needed. No exceptions.