Officials – Code of Conduct

Revised February 2011

Section 1 – KMHA General Information, Regulations and Policies

  • This document, its regulations, policies and guidelines are in effect for all games (league, exhibition and tournament) that fall under the jurisdiction of District 11, the Kanata Minor Hockey Association and its Officiating body.
  • All Officials that are duly registered and employed by the Kanata Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) are bound to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of District 11 and the Kanata Minor Hockey Association and KMHA Officials Code of Conduct and Code of Discipline
  • Smoking Policy: – is NOT permitted in the confines of the Officials dressing room.
  • Dressing room Policy: – When male and female Officials are working together, it is NEVER appropriate to change in the same room at the same time. One gender should dress while the other waits outside the dressing room and vise versa. Once both genders are fully dressed, they can share the room in preparation for the game, but leave the door open. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the immediate removal from the Active Assignment list pending a Discipline and Appeals hearing.

Section 2 – KMHA Policy Regarding Game Assignments

  • Official’s Availability: Officials are solely responsible for the submission of their availability to the Assignor when required and /or requested.
  • All Officials have until the 15th day of the current month to submit their availability for the upcoming month.
  • Assignor will begin assigning the games for the upcoming month on the 16th day of the current month and will be complete the task by the 23rd day of the current month.
  • Any Official that does not submit their availability when required/requested will be assigned games based on what is left over after those that submitted their availability have been accommodated
  • Some Officials will have exceptions (i.e. Rotating shift work, etc.). These situations will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. How ever, these Officials will still be required to submit their current availability by the 15th of the current month for the upcoming month.

Section 3 – Acceptance of game Assignments

  • Any official that has not accepted a game assignment five (5) days after the game has been assigned will lose the assignment and it will be reassigned. The only exception is that if there are circumstances that prevent the official from accepting (i.e. Assignments published while on vacation, ECT.) The exception will only be made, if and only if, the official notifies the assignor of the circumstance.
  • If at any time, an official realizes that he/she can not do the assignment or that a scheduling conflict exists, then the official must contact the appropriate assignor. If the game is returned more than 96 hours in advance then the assignor will receive notification using the assigning system. If it is under 96 hours before game time, the official must contact the assignor directly.
  • Officials will not return games to the assignor in order to take games in another association, AA/A league, junior hockey and/or Men’s hockey. Officials are expected to fulfill whichever set of assignments they received first. Exceptions to this policy can be made at the discretion of the referee-in-chief or the assignor to deal with special or extenuating circumstances. Any official caught breaching this rule will be subject to the following disciplinary action:
    • First offence- Removal from the active assignment list for one (1) week
    • Second offence- Removal from the active assignment list for one (1) month
    • Third offence- Suspended from the KMHA officiating body for the remainder of the season
  • Failure to accept assignments prior to the accept by date will result in a $10 fine per set of games. A set of games is defined as a group of games that are assigned for a specific date. If there are morning games and evening games they would constitute as two sets of games
  • If the director of discipline determines that disciplinary action is required, then the following disciplinary structure will be applied
    • First offence- $5 fine per set of games
    • Second offence- $10 fine plus one week suspension
    • Third offence- $15 fine plus one month suspension
    • Fourth offence- $20 plus indefinite suspension

Section 4- Returning games

  • Returning games to assignor:
  • Officials that return games to the assignor with less than 96 hours notice without a valid reason may be subject to disciplinary action, at the discretion of the assignor in consultation with the referee-in-chief and director of discipline. The assignor discretion will be based on the following criteria; The nature of the reason for returning the game.
  • If the director of discipline determines that disciplinary action is required, then the following disciplinary structure will be applied:
    • First offence- $5 fine per set of games
    • Second offence- $10 fine plus one week suspension
    • Third offence- $15 fine plus one month suspension
    • Fourth offence- $20 plus indefinite suspension

Section 5- Trading or Giving Away Games

  • Officials are NOT permitted to trade or give away assignments. Any Official who can not do an assignment(s) is required to return games to the assignor as soon as possible for reassignment. Any official caught engaging in the practice of trading games shall face the following disciplinary action
    • First offence- $10.00 fine
    • Second Offence- $20.00 fine
    • Third Offence- Suspended from the active assignment list for the remainder of the season
  • Should an emergency exist however, and the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief (s) cannot be reached, then the official must make every effort possible to get someone to cover their games.
  • After finding a replacement, the official must call the assignor and leave a message informing him/her of the date, time and location of the game and who is doing the game in their place.
  • The replacing official must be capable of working the level of hockey.
  • If accepting games you are not qualified to do in an emergency situation you may be subject to a $10 fine per game.

Section 6-Dress Code

The KMHA Officials Program Dress Code shall be in effect for all games assigned by the KMHA Referee Assignor.

ACCEPTABLE DRESS

  • AAA & AA- Dress pants, Slacks, Pants, Shirt, Tie, Turtleneck, KMHAOP Track Suit.
  • B – Dress Pants, Slacks, Pants, Shirt, Tie, Turtleneck, KMHAOP Track Suit
  • House League – Slacks or jeans (not torn), Shirt , Turtleneck or KMHAOP Track Suit and Ball Cap (worn Forwards)
  • Tournaments – As per level listed above
  • Exhibition – Pre-Season & Post Season Exhibition – as per “House League” above
  • Exhibition – Regular Season – as per the appropriate level above

It is unacceptable to wear team affiliated apparel to the rinks. For example, you cannot wear a Kanata Blazers jacket to your games.

  • First offence – $10.00 fine
  • Second offence -$10.00 fine plus a one week suspension
  • Third offence- $20.00 fine plus a one month suspension
  • Fourth offence- $20.00 fine plus and indefinite suspension

On-ice Dress Code

  • All officials must adhere to the on-ice dress code as outlined in the ODMHA Code of Conduct. This includes not wearing the proper jersey or having the proper cresting. The proposed fine is $25.00.

Section 7 – Exhibition Games

  • Under no circumstances shall an official accept a game assignment from anyone other than the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief(s). Any official that is approached by a team official, who requires officials for a game, MUST direct that team official to contact the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief(s). If the coach and/or the team official would like you specifically to do their game, then have them request your services when they are talking to the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief(s). However, there is no guarantee that you will be assigned the game in question.
  • All exhibition game fees will be billed directly to the teams and/or the League Convener on a monthly basis, subsequently payment to the official will be on their next cheque.

Section 8 – Conduct Unbecoming

  • Any Official whose conduct on or off the ice is deemed to be unprofessional or unbecoming of an official shall be IMMEDIATELY suspended from the active assignment list until the Referee-in-chief(s) can investigate the issue.
  • Any official in attendance at the game that has a legitimate concern regarding the conduct of an on-ice official should report this conduct as soon as possible to the Referee-in-chief(s) for investigation. The individual will also be required to attend a hearing held by the KMHAOP.

Section 9 – Leadership

  • Any official that still actively plays the game of hockey or coaches the game of hockey shall be expected to act as a role model and leader for their teammates in regards to appropriate behavior and conduct towards the on-ice officials.
  • Any official or coach participating in games that abuses on-ice or off-ice officials either verbally or physically will be suspended indefinitely from the active assignment list until a D & A hearing can be convened.

Section 10 – KMHA Pre and Post Game Policies

  • All officials must be at the arena, in the vicinity of the officials’ dressing room no later than twenty (20) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned game (s). As a guide line, however, all officials should make every effort possible to be at the arena, in the vicinity of the officials’ dressing room, thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned game (s).

Section 11 – Late Arrival to the Game Assignment

  • If an official has not arrived twenty (20) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned game (s), one of the remaining officials MUST call the assignor immediately and inform him/her that an official is late. If the assignor can not be reached, then contact the referee-in-chief (s) immediately. The assignor or the Referee-in-chief may ask you to see if there is a game before yours, and ask you to see if one of the officials on the ice can stay.
  • If an official knows that he/she cannot be at the arena, in the vicinity of the officials’ dressing room, twenty (20) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned game (s), they are required to phone the assignor and inform them him/her that they will be late arriving at the arena. If an official is late, and they did not previously notify the assignor and a replacement official is sent to cover their game, the late official will do the game and the replacement official is the one that will be paid for the game.
  • Any unapproved late arrivals to the arena will be dealt with the following disciplinary action:
    • First offence – $10.00 fine
    • Second offence – $15.00 fine plus a one week suspension
    • Third offence – $20.00 fine plus a one month suspension
    • Fourth offence- $20.00 fine plus indefinite suspension

Section 12 – Officials Late Entering the Ice for Start Of Game

  • All officials are required to be on the ice on or before the scheduled starting time of the assigned game (s). Other officials, the Referee-in-chief, Supervisor, Tournament staff and /or team officials may report late arrival on the ice for the start of the game. Any official that is reported being late entering the ice surface for the start of the game without a valid reason, will have the incident investigated and may be subject to the following action:
    • First offence – $10.00 fine
    • Second offence – $15.00 fine
    • Third offence – $20.00 fine plus a one week suspension
    • Fourth offence- $20.00 fine plus a one month suspension

Section 13 – Failure to Appear for Game Assignment (NO SHOW)

  • Any official that fails to appear for an assigned game, and has not communicated their absence in advance with a valid reason, will be subject to the following disciplinary action
    • First offence – $15.00 fine
    • Second offence – Fine equal to the game plus a one-week suspension
    • Third offence – Fine equal to game fee plus a one-month suspension
    • Fourth offence- Fine equal to game fee plus an indefinite suspension
  • Any Official that fails to report a NO SHOW/ Late Arrival shall be subject to the following disciplinary action. In the case of a three-man-system, if two officials are at the arena and they fail to report a NO-SHOW by the third official, then both officials may be subject to disciplinary action as follows
    • First offence – $10.00 fine
    • Second offence – $10.00 fine plus a one –week suspension
    • Third offence – $20.00 fine plus a one-week suspension
    • Fourth offence- $20.00 fine plus a one-month suspension
  • In the event of a NO SHOW for a game involving a two man system, if the official does the game alone, he/she will be paid twice (2) the game fee, if and only if, said official reports the no show to the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief by phone BEFORE the game
  • In the event of a NO SHOW for games involving a three-man System, if the two remaining officials do the game, they will be paid referee fee plus linesmen fee divided by two, if and only if, said officials report the no show to the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief by phone BEFORE the game. If two out of three officials fail to appear, the game is to suspended and not played
  • If a game is officiated using insufficient officials (i.e. one official for two-man system). The remaining official(s) must insure that they get the consent of both teams to play the game under those conditions. The official should have both teams sign the back of the WHITE copy of game sheet to signify their consent. Should one team fail to provide consent, then the game shall be suspended.
  • When less than the correct number of officials appear for a game, the remaining officials shall work the game. However, in the case of a Two-Man system where one official does not appear, if the remaining official is uncomfortable doing the game himself, then the game shall be suspended and rescheduled.
  • In the event that a particular league (i.e. the B league, LCMHL, etc) decide to impose a fine on the KMHA for insufficient officials for a given game. This fine will be deducted from the pay of the official (s) who missed the game in question, if they do not have a valid reason for missing the game.

Section 14 – Arena

  • If an official (s) arrives at the arena and discovers that there is no game, they MUST contact the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief immediately. If an official arrives at the arena and discovers that there is more than the required number of officials for the game, that official must contact the assignor and/or the Referee-in-chief immediately to ensure that he/she or that someone else is not at the wrong arena.

Section 15 – Game Sheets

  • All game sheets are to be signed by all officials, after the game has been completed. The game sheet is to be signed in the confines of the official’s dressing room, NOT on the ice surface. This is done so that the officials take the time to verify the correctness of the information, so they watch all the players during the handshake and while they exit the ice surface and that they do not hold up the resurfacing of the ice surface.
  • When signing the game sheet, all officials shall PRINT their name and HCOP number on the game sheet in the appropriate location prior to SIGNING the game sheet. PLEASE NOTE: There will be a Ten Dollar ($10) fine for not being able to read the name or number.
  • Should the HOME team fail to retrieve the game sheet after the game, one of the officials shall take the game sheet with them and turn it in to the Referee-in-chiefs’ mail box at the KMHA office at the Kanata Recreation Complex as soon as possible
  • Failure to comply with the above policies regarding game sheets will result in the following disciplinary action:
    • First offence – $10.00 fine
    • Second offence – $15.00 fine
    • Third offence – $15.00 fine plus a one-week suspension
    • Fourth offence- $20.00 fine plus a one-month suspension

Section 16 – Game Incident Reports

  • All Game Incident Reports for Competitive and House League hockey must be completed on line at http://www.odharefs.com/IncidentReports/login.jsp and submitted within the submission guidelines for the respective leagues within 24 Hours from the conclusion of the game.
  • Failure to comply with this policy will be subject to the following action:
    • First offence – Fine of TEN ($10) Dollars
    • Second offence – Fine of Twenty ($20) Dollars and suspended from the active assigning list for one (1) week
    • Third offence – Fine of Forty ($40) Dollars and suspended from the active assigning list for the remainder of the season
  • The only exception to this rule is for Tournaments when the reports are required to be filed prior to the official departing the arena. After such the requirement still remains that each official must enter any offence that may result in a suspension online

Section 17 – Policies Regarding Tournaments

  • Where applicable, the policies outlined in this section apply only to Tournaments that the District 11/KMHA Referee body is responsible for. Furthermore, where applicable, the policies outlined in this section supersede any policy previously outlined in other sections
  • When required, the Referee body will employ officials from other districts/associations to cover the Tournaments. Any official that is brought in will be bound by and adhere to the policies in this document.
  • The KMHA Referee DRESS CODE shall be in effect for all COMPETITIVE and HOUSE LEAGUE tournaments.
  • All officials must be at the arena, in the vicinity of the Officials dressing room, no later than Forty (40) minutes prior to the scheduled time of their assigned game (s).
  • If an official knows that they cannot be at the arena, in the vicinity of the officials dressing room Forty (40) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned games, they must notify the assignor as soon as possible. Any official that fails to abide by this policy, will be subject to the following disciplinary action
  • All officials must be dressed and ready to go, Fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned game (s).
    • First offence – $10.00 fine
    • Second offence –$15.00 fine and one (1) month removal from the Tournament active assignment list
    • Third offence – $20.00 fine and removal from the Tournament active assignment list for the remainder of the season
    • If an official has not arrived thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their assigned game(s), one of the remaining officials must call the assignor immediately and inform him/her that an official is missing. If the assignor can not be reached, then contact the Referee-in-chief (s) immediately. (Other officials may be on other ice surfaces)
    • When possible, all officials are expected to be on the ice prior to the teams taking the ice. Games will be expected to start at their scheduled start times unless the Tournament staff has previously advised the officials. Any official (s) that fail to abide by this guideline will be subject to the following disciplinary action:
      • First offence – $10.00 fine
      • Second offence – $15.00 fine plus a one week suspension
      • Third offence – $20.00 fine plus a one month suspension
      • Fourth offence- $20.00 fine plus indefinite suspension
    • Any official that fails to appear for an assigned tournament game, without a valid reason and has not communicated their absence will be immediately removed from the Tournament active assignment list for the balance of the season and must petition the Referee-in-chief (s) for re-admission to the Tournament assignment list at the start of the next season. In addition to the removal from the Tournament list the fines/discipline for NO SHOWS are also levied
    • The tournament staff, along with the referee supervisors will have the rights and responsibilities to report to the Referee-in-chief (s) of any official complaints or concerns in regards to rule knowledge, work ethic or professionalism of an on-ice official. Should this situation arise, it will be investigated and will be dealt with as follows
      • First Offence – Meeting with the Referee-in-chief (s) to discuss the issue
      • Second Offence – Meeting with the Referee-in-chief (s) plus possible removal from Tournament assignment list for one (1) month
      • Third Offence – Meeting with the Referee-in-chief (s) plus removal from the Tournament assignment list for the remainder of the season
    • In regards to article 10, the Referee-in-chief (s) can choose to reinstate an official who is in violation of article 10 if supervised during a regular season game and shows a improvement

    Section 18 – KMHA Officials Meetings, Fees and Pay

    • Officials meetings will be held monthly at the date, time and location to be determined by the Referee in Chief. Attendance is MANDATORY. Should an official be unable to attend a meeting, he/she must notify the Alt. Referee in Chief in advance of their absence and the reason of their nonattendance. The official is to notify by e-mail or a phone calls no later than 5:00pm one day prior to the meeting. Failure to abide by this policy will result in the following disciplinary action:
      • First Offence- $10.00 fine
      • Second Offence- $10.00 fine
      • Third Offence- $10.00 Fine plus a one week suspension
      • Fourth Offence- $10.00 fine plus a one month suspension
    • The pay period will run from the first day of the previous month to the last day of the previous month. The Referee in Chief reserves the right to alter the pay period when necessary to facilitate convenience. Paychecks will be issued and distributed at the end of each meeting. Officials are responsible for ensuring that the Referee in Chief has their most current and valid mailing address and e-mail address.
    • The KMHA will refund clinic costs incurred by its officials: with such reimbursement being done under certain conditions at the final meeting of the year. The refund fee is based on the official attending one of the single, one-day clinics. Those that attend the ODHA/ODMHA Referee school will only receive a refund equivalent to what it would have cost for them to obtain their certification at a one-day clinic. Those officials eligible for reimbursement must have paid for the clinic themselves. IT IS THE OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLEATY TO GET A RECEIPT FROM THE ODHA/ODMHA AT THE CLINIC. NO RECEIPT NO REIMBURSEMENT.

    Eligibility requirements for reimbursement

    • Level One Officials – Minimum of 20 games Officiated in the Referee season and attend all monthly meetings and complete all mandatory quizzes. (Minimum 80% passing grade)
    • Level Two Officials – Minimum of 30 games Officiated in the referee season complete all mandatory quizzes (minimum 80% passing grade)
    • Level Three Officials – Minimum of 20 supervisions or completion of the quizzes and 15 supervisions (minimum 80% passing grade)
    • Level Four Officials – Minimum of 20 supervisions or completion of the quizzes and 15 supervisions

    SECTION 19 – Discipline and Appeals

    • Discipline and Appeals Hearings:
    • From time to time, officials are required to attend D & A hearings for matters that arise from the hockey games. Attendance at these hearings is MANDATORY. If you are scheduled to officiate games and your presence is required at a hearing, you will be removed from the assigned games so that you can attend the hearing.
    • When attending D & A for Competitive hockey games, or a hearing convened by the ODHA/ODMHA, all officials will abide by the dress code outlined in the ODHA/ODMHA Officials Code of Conduct and Code of Discipline. When attending D & A hearings convened by the KMHA in regards to House League hockey, all officials are strongly encouraged to abide by the dress code outlined in the KMHA Officials Code of Conducted Code of Discipline.
    • Failure to attend a hearing convened by the ODHA/ODMHA may result in disciplinary action taken by the KMHA Officiating Program. Failure to attend the hearing convened by the KMHA will result in the following action taken:
      • First Offence – Fine of (10) dollars and removal from active assignment list for one (1) week
      • Second Offence – Fine of (25) dollars and removal for the active assignment list

    Appeal of Disciplinary Action taken against an Official

    • Officials may be disciplined for various offences. Officials will be notified either in writing, by e-mail, or by phone of any fine or disciplinary action that has been levied. Any official who believes that the disciplinary action measures levied are unjust and/or unfair shall have 72 hours to appeal the decision in writing to the KMHA Referee-in-Chief.
    • When required the KMHA Referee-in-Chief will convene a hearing
    • Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and guidelines stated in the ODMHA Constitution & Bylaws in regards to D & A hearings

    Appeal of an Imposed fine:

    • Any official choosing to appeal a fine shall do so within 72 hours of having been notified of the fine being imposed. In his/her notification of appeal, the official must include all relevant details and supporting documentation as to why the fine should not have been imposed. The appeal submitted to the KMHA RIC.
    • In response to an imposed fine, the KMHA RIC shall review the submitted documentation and investigate further if required. After reviewing the documentation the RIC shall do one of the following: Inform the official that the fine has been upheld OR inform the official that the fine has been overturned.
    • FINES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR APPEAL TO THE KMHA D & A PROCESS

    Appeal of Imposed Suspension and or Expulsion from the KMHA Body

    • Any official choosing to appeal a suspension and/or expulsion from the KMHA officiating body shall do so within 72 hours of having been notified of the action being imposed. In his/her notification of appeal, the official must include all relevant details and supporting documentation as to why the disciplinary action should not have been imposed. The appeal shall be submitted to the KMHA Referee-in-Chief.
    • Any hearings held by the KMHAOP will have a committee which would include at a minimum the Referee-in-Chief (only votes in a tie situation), one member of the KMHAOP executive and a non-executive KMHAOP member. If a suitable non-executive KMHAOP member is not available, we shall open the invitation to a non-KMHAOP member. The committee may have more members depending on availability. The referee representative(s) shall be present but will not be allowed to vote.

     

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