Approved at the Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting in Calgary, Alta., in May, Hockey Canada’s new head contact rules are zero tolerance, implemented to cut down on the number of head injuries suffered in the game.

The new rule will be in effect immediately, beginning with the start of the 2011-12 season.

Below is the wording included in the Hockey Canada Rule Book, outlining when the penalty is to be called and what penalty is to be assessed.

Rule 6.5 – Head Contact

(a) In minor hockey and female hockey, a minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who accidentally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with his stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment.

(b) In minor hockey and female hockey, a double minor penalty or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee and based on the degree of violence of impact shall be assessed to any player who intentionally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with her stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment.

(c) In junior hockey and senior hockey, a minor and a misconduct penalty, or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence of impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent in the head in any manner.

(d) A major and a game misconduct penalty, or a match penalty shall be assessed any player who injures an opponent under this rule.

(e) A match penalty shall be assessed any player who deliberately attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent under this rule.

Note: All contact above the shoulders (neck, face and head) is to be called Head Contact under one of the above (In minor hockey and female hockey).

Clarifications on Head Contact for junior hockey and senior hockey only

Referees should be aware of the tragic consequences of head injuries and concussions and strictly enforce the rule. It is the responsibility of players, team officials and referees to make every attempt possible to reduce the incident of this frightful injury. Team officials can teach players legitimate methods of checking an opponent, while players can be educated to the dangers of checks to the head. The referee has the responsibility to penalize players who contact an opponent in the head. If the referees are consistent and strict in calling infractions that may lead to concussions, then along with the cooperation of players and team officials, these type of fouls and the chances of a player suffering such injuries can be significantly reduced. The Head Contact penalty is based on the “degree of violence of impact” and can be defined in three categories: minimal, moderate and severe.

Minimal impact would be called under other appropriate rules – elbowing, high-sticking, roughing, roughing after the whistle, etc. A glancing blow or minimal impact to the head where a penalty is warranted.

Moderate impact would be a more significant degree of violence without injury that warrants a minor and misconduct penalty under the Head Contact rule.

Severe impact would be a high degree of violence, with or without injury, which warrants a major and game misconduct or a match penalty, at the discretion of the referee under the Head Contact rule.

What previously may have been considered a legal check with a shoulder check to the head shall now be penalized as Head Contact if moderate or severe impact is made. These Head Contact infractions can occur anywhere on the playing surface as a result of the initial contact to the head. Head Contact could also be the result of an open ice hit, with or without the fouled player’s head being down. Body checking has not be been removed from the game, but high hits or targeting the head shall be penalized. A fight is still to be called a fight, not Head Contact. Referees are to strictly enforce penalties that call for infractions as a result of low hits as these types of infractions may increase. The penalty signal for Head Contact will be patting flat (open palm) of the non-whistle hand on the side of the head.

As another season comes to an end, officials are gearing up for Hockey Canada’s spring national championships.

Forty-four officials – 22 referees and 22 linespersons – from across the country have been selected by Hockey Canada for the Esso Cup, Men’s U18 National Club Championship and Centennial Cup.

Officials selected for Esso Cup

The officials chosen for the 2023 Esso Cup in Prince Albert, Sask., are part of the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence, presented by the Hockey Canada Foundation. As part of this program, they have attended development camps, received ongoing mentorship in their Member programs and been evaluated by national officiating coaches prior to a final selection by Hockey Canada.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for these officials to finish the season with a championship event,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “These officials have shown well at our development events and we are excited to continue working with them at this championship. As always, we are incredibly grateful to the Hockey Canada Foundation for supporting this program and the development of women and girls in officiating through Hockey Is Hers.”

The officiating coaches for the Esso Cup are Hanoomansingh, Theresa Llorente (Edmonton, Alta.) and Kim Sobkowicz (Outlook, Sask.).

Officials selected for Men's U18 National Club Championship

The officials chosen for the 2023 Men’s U18 National Club Championship in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., are part of Hockey Quebec’s program of excellence. They have undergone a lengthy identification and evaluation process by Hockey Quebec during the 2022-23 season, with several attending previous Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence camps and national events.

“The U18 club nationals is an exciting opportunity for the officials of the host Member program,” says Hanoomansingh. “These officials have collaborated and competed all year in their home league, forming a cohesive unit, and earned their selection to the national championship.”

The officiating coaches for the Men’s U18 Club Championship are Serge Carpentier and Doug Hayward.

Officials selected for Centennial Cup

The officials who will officiate the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie, Man., are the top officials in their Junior A leagues from across the country. The referees are drawn from Hockey Canada’s National High Performance Program, while the linespersons are drawn from both the National High Performance Program and their Member high performance programs. Officials were coached and evaluated throughout the season across the Canadian Junior Hockey League, prior to their final selection.

“We have high expectations for our elite officials in every game,” says Hanoomansingh. “Even with the expanded, 10-team tournament, the selections for this tournament were extremely competitive. This is an outstanding group of officials and we are looking forward to seeing them hit the ice in Portage la Prairie.”

The officiating coaches for the Centennial Cup are François Fortin (Chibougamau, Que.) and Danny McCourt (Sudbury, Ont.)

Jenn Berezowski always wanted the opportunity to officiate at a top-level IIHF tournament.

With 15 years of experience as an on-ice official, working in numerous leagues and tournaments around Canada, Berezowski finally got the chance when she was chosen as a referee for the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Sweden.

There was just one small dilemma. Berezowski had recently given birth to her second daughter, Hannah.

“When I got the phone call in October 2022 to do the U18 Women’s Worlds in January, I was about a month postpartum with my second daughter,” Berezowski recalls. “It was going to be tight with the timing, but I couldn’t say no.”

So, a month after Hannah was born, Berezowski resumed officiating games.

“I was back on the ice again and with my daughter attached to my hip,” she says.

When it came time to leave for Sweden, Berezowski, along with her mother and baby Hannah, made the trip from their home in Trenton, Ont., across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, her husband and their eldest daughter, three-year-old Scarlett, remained at home and watched as Berezowski refereed three games, including the gold medal game that saw Canada beat Sweden 10-0 to defend its world title.

Whether it was at home or on the road, Berezowski credits friends, family and colleagues for supporting her and Hannah.

“Everyone has taken turns coming to the arena with me so that I can be away from home and continue to ref but also have her with me there so I can feed her and keep her healthy,” Berezowski says. “My colleagues have been extremely supportive, no one has blinked an eye about me feeding my baby in between periods or having a babysitter hanging around. In doing that, they are helping normalize this path locally, nationally and internationally.”

Since the U18 worlds in Sweden, Berezowski has returned to officiating various leagues across Ontario with her daughter by her side. This week, she is part of the crew working the U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship in Montreal.

With the added logistics of travelling with her baby, on top of being a mother of two and a referee, Berezowski is also a chartered professional accountant. She admits that the spring season is one of her busiest times of the year, with provincial championships and playoffs happening at the same time as the Canadian tax season.

“It’s all about the support I receive from everyone, including my bosses who have been very generous with allowing me to have flexible hours,” Berezowski says. “During the spring, tax season and championships come to a peak, so it’s all about giving some and taking some and being one of the hardest workers out there.”

Normalizing newborns at the rink

Since donning the stripes when she was 16 years old, Berezowski says she has only once seen a mom with her newborn at the rink. However, she is optimistic that over time, it will be commonplace.

“We used to have to choose one of the two. I would’ve had to choose between continuing to do this or is it time to have a family,” Berezowski adds. “Now, people have opened their minds to the possibilities and you can do both. I’ve been lucky to be able to pursue everything.”

Berezowski is also in contact with the growing community of women officials. Whether it’s sharing experiences or bouncing thoughts and ideas off each other, the community continues to be very supportive. By sharing her story, Berezowski hopes to serve as a role model for other women, particularly new moms.

“I have a lot of colleagues that are young, and they haven’t started families yet, and through that online group, we’re transparent and showing that we’re in 2023, we can do this stuff if we want to, and I love that I can show that within my province and on the ice,” she says.

At the end of the day, Berezowski is encouraged by the support from the hockey community.

“It’s super rewarding to have a career, be an official on the ice and a mom, too,” she says. “Seeing people like Natalie Spooner and all she’s doing, we’re showing moms what is possible, and that we can do anything that we want to once we set our minds to it.”

Twenty-six officials – 13 referees and 13 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada for the U SPORTS men’s and women’s championships. The tournaments will run concurrently from March 16-19, with the men’s U Cup taking place in Charlottetown, P.E.I., and the Women’s Hockey Championship taking place in Montreal.

“Hockey Canada would like to congratulate all the officials on their selection to the university championships,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “The U SPORTS championships provide some of our best domestic competition, in a challenging, single-elimination tournament. These officials have continued to hone their craft throughout the season to be ready for this event.”

The officiating coach for the Men’s U Cup will Todd Robinson (Sackville, N.S.). The officiating coaches for the Women’s Hockey Championship will be Hanoomansingh and Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie (Laval, Que.).

All selected officials have come through the Officiating Program of Excellence and the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence, presented by Hockey is Hers and the Hockey Canada Foundation.

“Our program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game,” says Hanoomansingh. “Hockey Canada's 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals.

Officials are integral to the game, enforcing the standard of safe and fair play in arenas from coast to coast to coast. No matter what the level, without officials, there is no game.”

For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

Forty-eight officials – 24 referees and 24 linespersons – from all 10 provinces have been selected for the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. The men’s tournament will take place Feb. 19-25, followed by the women’s tournament from Feb. 27-March 3.

“The officials who have been selected for the Canada Winter Games should be very proud of this accomplishment,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “While it only occurs every four years, this is an important development event for our high-performance officials. If you look at many of our current top officials, they were successful at past Canada Winter Games tournaments. We have similarly high expectations for this crop of officials and are excited to see them perform on the ice.”

Officials selected for the Canada Winter Games are part of the Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) and attended regional camps across the country prior to their selection. This is the first season of the Women’s OPOE, presented by the Hockey Canada Foundation, which allows officials to receive mentorship and coaching prior to the final selections.

Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie (Laval, Que.), Corey Hayne (Antigonish, N.S.) and Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, Ont.) will join Hanoomansingh as officiating coaches.

All selected officials are leaders in their Member leagues and high-performance programs, and being selected for Canada Winter Games is not only an accomplishment for the official, but also a credit to their Member and local development programs.

“Our program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game,” says Hanoomansingh. “Hockey Canada's 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals.

Officials are integral to the game, enforcing the standard of safe and fair play in arenas from coast to coast to coast. No matter what the level, without officials, there is no game.”

For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

Canadian officials have their passports updated and their bags packed.

Forty-six officials – 24 referees and 22 linespersons – have been licenced by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for international competition during the 2022-23 season.

Specific assignments will be announced by the IIHF throughout the season.

“Hockey Canada is extremely proud of the officials who have been selected for international events this season,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “The competition for an international license is stronger than ever and that is a credit to the officials who have reached this level and the ones who continue to earn their spot on this list.”

CANADIAN OFFICIALS LICENCED FOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS FOR 2022-23 SEASON

All of the officials are products of the National High Performance Officiating Program, which prepares Canada's top officials for success at the highest levels of the game. Receiving an IIHF assignment represents years of work on the part of these officials and their Member officiating development programs.

“Our program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game,” said Hanoomansingh. “Hockey Canada's 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals. Officials are integral to the game, enforcing the standard of safe and fair play in arenas from coast to coast to coast. No matter what the level, without officials, there is no game.”

Three Canadians will also work as part of the IIHF officiating coaching staff this season: Kevin Muench (Moose Jaw, Sask.), Jacqui Palm (Newmarket, Ont.) and Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, Ont.).

For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

As Hockey Canada’s fall events return for the first time since 2019, the officials are ready to hit the ice.

Thirty-six officials – 17 referees and 19 linespersons – from across the country have been selected for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge and Para Hockey Cup.

“Our fall events are a great opportunity for individuals participating in our Officiating Program of Excellence,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “These officials have worked hard to sharpen their skills since their last opportunity at one of our camps. We have been tracking their progression and they have earned their opportunity to officiate these exciting events.”

The Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) is the pathway through which Canadian officials are selected for top national and international tournaments. The objectives of the OPOE are to provide a clear developmental pathway for aspiring elite officials, provide developmentally appropriate coaching for elite officials, prepare officials for national and international competitions, and assist Hockey Canada in making evidence-based decisions for assignments.

For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Langley & Delta, B.C.)

The officiating coaches for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge are Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, B.C.) and Kirk Wood (Stratford, Ont.).

World Junior A Challenge (Cornwall, Ont.)

The officiating coach for the World Junior A Challenge is Hanoomansingh.

Para Hockey Cup (Bridgewater, N.S.)

The officiating coach for the Para Hockey Cup is Paul Boese (Arnprior, Ont.)

As the 2022-23 hockey season gets underway, the Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) is back with a full slate of camps. One hundred officials will be selected for regional identification camps, with a further 30 attending the prestigious National High Performance Selection Camp.

“It was thrilling to re-launch the Officiating Program of Excellence over the summer and these fall camps are the next step,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Our regional camps provide officials with an introduction to the national level and prepare them to compete for national assignments at the U18 level. It is particularly exciting to be holding our first-ever regional camps for the women’s stream of the OPOE, presented by Hockey is Hers and the Hockey Canada Foundation.”

The OPOE is the pathway through which Canadian officials are selected for top national and international assignments. The objectives are to provide a clear developmental pathway for aspiring elite officials, provide developmentally appropriate coaching for elite officials, prepare officials for national and international competitions, and assist Hockey Canada in making evidence-based decisions for national and international events. Officials enter the OPOE through the regional identification camps, based on nominations from their Member programs.

The 30 officials who will attend the National High Performance Selection Camp will participate in an intensive four-day experience intended to help them develop the tools needed to succeed at this elite level. All of the officials were part of a months-long evaluation process, including input from their respective Member programs, prior to a final selection by Hockey Canada. Upon successful completion of the camp, the officials will join the national high performance program and compete for Junior A and senior national championships, as well as international assignments.

National High Performance Selection Camp (Calgary, Alta. – October 20-23)

The officiating coaches for the National High Performance Selection Camp are Matthew Davey (Ottawa, Ont.), Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, B.C.), Pat Malloy (Ottawa, Ont.), Kyle McDonald (Regina, Sask.), Todd Robinson (Sackville, N.S.) and Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, Ont.).

Men's Central Regional Camp (St. Mary, Ont. – September 30-October 2)

The officiating coaches for the Men's Central Regional Camp are Hanoomansingh and Greg Kimmerly (Toronto, Ont.).

Women's Pacific Regional Camp (Surrey, B.C. – September 30-October 2)

The officiating coaches for the Women's Pacific Regional Camp are Stratton and Sandra Lowe (Burnaby, B.C.).

Women's Atlantic Regional Camp (Moncton, N.B. – October 7-10)

The officiating coaches for the Women's Atlantic Regional Camp are Hanoomansingh, David Crane (Bay Roberts, N.L.) and Jacqui Palm (Newmarket, Ont.).

Men's West Regional Camp (Chilliwack, B.C. – October 16-19)

The officiating coaches for the Men's West Regional Camp are Hanoomansingh, C.J. Senkow (Grande Prairie, Alta.) and Kirk Wood (Stratford, Ont.).

Men’s East Regional Camp (Sherbrooke, Que. – October 28-30)

The officiating coaches for the Men's East Regional Camp are Hanoomansingh, Christian Gohier (Saint-Jérôme, Que.), Marc Maissonneuve (Gatineau, Que.) and Peter Moraitis (Longueuil, Que.).

Women’s Central Regional Camp (Verdun, Que. – November 11-13)

The officiating coaches for the Women's Central Regional Camp are Palm, Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie (Montreal, Que.) and Stéphanie Campbell (Montreal, Que.).

Women’s West Regional Camp (Regina, Sask. – December 9-11)

The officiating coaches for the Women's West Regional Camp are Hanoomansingh, Palm and Ashley Desjardins (Winnipeg, Man.).

For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

As women’s para hockey looks to expand its footprint, two Hockey Canada officials are heading south.

This week, World Para Ice Hockey is hosting the first-ever Women’s World Challenge in Green Bay, Wis., and Canadian officials Jane Ogilvie (Truro, N.S.) and Danielle Williams (Aurora, Ont.) will be a part of the inaugural event.

This four-team tournament will see Canada’s Women’s National Para Hockey Team compete alongside Great Britain, the United States and Team World, which comprises athletes from seven different nations. The tournament is intended to continue developing competitive women’s para hockey, with the eventual goal of a women’s world championship and a place in the Paralympic program.

As the popularity of para hockey continues to grow, the Hockey Canada Officiating Program is improving its resources to train and develop officials for the sport.

“The role of the official is to facilitate a safe and fair game and that’s no different in para hockey,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Officials play a key role, and it is our responsibility as a world sport leader to provide those tools to our officials to benefit the game.”

Ogilvie, the oldest of four children growing up on a dairy farm in the Annapolis Valley, joined the ranks of the Hockey Canada Officiating Program in 2014. Since that time, she has represented Hockey Nova Scotia at the Esso Cup, the Atlantic Challenge Cup and the Atlantic University Sport women’s hockey championship.

“I cannot wait to be a part of growing the women’s side of para hockey,” she says. “This is an opportunity to take my skills as an official and truly contribute to the growth of the game.”

Williams has been involved in the game in a variety of roles for well over a decade, first as an off-ice official and then as an on-ice official, starting in 2009. Her experience in the Greater Toronto Area has taken her to multiple OHF championships and OHL Cup tournaments, as well as becoming more involved as an instructor and mentor for the next generation of officials.

“We’re all passionate about hockey, but the opportunity to build something from scratch is something entirely different,” she says. “I am excited to do my part to bring women’s para hockey to the world stage and bring those experiences back to other officials at home.”

Ogilvie and Williams headed to Green Bay this week for two days of training with the rest of the officiating staff before the tournament starts on Aug. 26.

“We are very grateful to World Para Ice Hockey and USA Hockey for offering us the opportunity to send two officials to this event,” says Hanoomansingh. “Hockey Canada is fortunate to have two world leaders in para hockey officiating in Paul Boese (Nepean, Ont.) and Kevin Webinger (Calgary, Alta.) taking on leadership roles with our program.”

The Hockey Canada Officiating Program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game. Hockey Canada's 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals. For more information on the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.