Officials

Becoming an official

Typically, PMAHA hires 20 new officials each season. This works out to about 12-15 officials aged 12 years old (second year of play in U13 hockey), and 5-8 officials who are older (13+ years old). Each younger new official receives roughly one or two games per month, roughly one on-ice development session per two-months, and access to all the emails, video learning, and written information as they integrate into the program. At the end of the hockey season (in March), PMAHA hosts a U9 Initiation tournament, where our younger new officials typically each work 4 to 6 games over a weekend; this takes the skills they've learned and applies them over a short space of time. It works out to about 10 games in the first year. This number usually dramatically increases by year 2, and if you stick with it, by year 3 / 4, most officials are skating in 30+ games per season (more than one per week). This can vary by age you start, experience, work ethic, and officiating skillset.

For New Officials Aged 12-15 Years Old

• Have new officials certified by Oct 22nd 2025
• For brand new referees, U9 games typically start utilizing officials sometime in November.
• Continue development through use of video / game experience through the end of the season.
• Skate as many games as possible in PMAHA Initiation Tournament.

Please review, complete, and submit the PMAHA Officiating Program Application form. This needs to be submitted to refereeinchief@pmaha.com before Aug 15th 2025. Trevor Nolan will send out a confirmation to those that have been accepted to the program.*

*Note -- due to a substantial amount of interest, PMAHA will not be able to accept every new official who is applying to officiate. Late applications will be deferred to the next season of hockey.