Refs and Scorekeepers

Officials/Refs

• To continue to keep this inexpensive we will not be paying to hire actual officials. Players who are willing to volunteer as officials/refs during games in which they are not playing will be compensated from league funds.

• We will be hosting an officiating/reffing clinic before the start of each season and I encourage everyone planning to ref to attend. Refs who have attended the reffing clinic will be paid the full fee and refs who have not attended the reffing clinic may be paid 50% of the fee (e.g. a player who attended the clinic will be paid $30, a player who didn't may be paid $15). Additionally, players who attend the clinic will be given priority to sign up over those who don't. 

• All fees will be paid out at the end of the season.

• We will plan to utilize 2 refs per game and will have 2 ref spots available for sign ups. As sometimes refs are hard to come by, we will not guarantee 2 per game, but will ensure at least 1. 

• Beginning with the Spring 2026 Season, if there is a vacancy or a no-show for either the ref or the scorekeeper, the captains of the teams playing will be required to step into those roles (only for ref if there is not at least 1 present.)

Rink Rats Ref Info and Expectations

Schedule/Needs

All needs are posted via a sign up with a link on the homepage and most Rink Rats emails. If you do sign up for multiple shifts on a single day, please make sure they do not overlap. 

Jerseys and Whistles

On the day of the games, I send an informational group text to all refs and scorekeepers for that day including the new code to the locker where the ref jerseys and whistles will be kept. All refs are issued a Fox 40 Super Force finger grip whistle the first time they ref, it is theirs to keep afterwards. If you are reffing and have already been issued a metal whistle, please make sure to bring it. Refs are only issued one whistle (not one per season), if it is misplaced/lost it is the responsibility of the ref to acquirea replacement. We have a total of 10 ref jerseys for use. There are two S/M size ref jerseys which should be on the top of the pile, one XXL ref jersey which should be on the bottom of the pile, and seven L/XL jerseys in the middle. After your ref shift/s for the day are complete, please put the dirty jersey in the black laundry bag in Locker 71. All used ref jerseys are collected at the end of game day and laundered before returning them to the clean locker.

Expectations/Responsibilities

The majority of Society members who voted agreed that we would like our games to be as close to USA Hockey rules as possible. That being said, volunteer officials will be primarily responsible for dropping the puck at face-offs, calling off-sides and icing, and calling any obvious penalties. Outside of that we ask volunteers to call what they're comfortable with. 

Resources for potential volunteers can be found here ---> USA Hockey Rules and Resources 

Rink Rats Specific Rules

Clarifications and any deviations from USA Hockey Rules can be found HERE

Score Keeping

• Again, to continue to keep this inexpensive, score keepers will also be by volunteer. Players who are willing to volunteer as score keepers during games in which they are not playing will be compensated from league funds.

• Scorekeepers will be paid 50% of the regular reffing fee (e.g. a ref who attended the clinic will be paid $30, the scorekeeper will be paid $15). 

• All fees will be paid out at the end of the season.

Rink Rats Scorekeeper Info and Expectations

Schedule/Needs

All needs are posted via a sign up with a link on the homepage and most Rink Rats emails. If you do sign up for multiple shifts on a single day, please make sure they do not overlap. 

Scoresheets

Scoresheets already have team/player info on them for the specific game. You don't need to worry about recording player scratches, I reconcile that with our captains at the end of the day. The scoresheets line up with the scoreboard keyboard with Home on the left and Away on the right with the team colors listed under the team names as a reference.

On the day of the games, I send an informational group text to all refs and scorekeepers for that day including the new code to the locker where the scoresheets/clipboards will be kept. Clipboards are separated by North Rink and South Rink, please leave all papers attached to the clipboard, and if there is more than just the 15-minute ice make between games on that ice sheet (e.g. last game of the day or several hour gap, etc.), please return the clipboard to the locker.

Game Timing

We are completely runtime with no break between clock starts. 3 minute warm-up, three 18 minute periods, and two 1 minute intermissions. Start the 3 minute warm-up right at the scheduled game start time and as soon as the buzzer sounds, immediately start the first 18 minute period whether the teams are ready or not. Do not wait for puck drop. Clock does not stop for any stoppages of play, penalties, or tied score scenarios (games can end in a tie). Penalty timers can be turned off for the intermission and restarted at the start of the next period.

Expectations/Responsibilities

Enter team names for home and away (found on clipboard). Promptly start the appropriate next timer after each buzzer. Accurately record goals and shots on goal both on the scoreboard and scoresheet. Start penalty timers and ensure the penalty box doors are closed when a player re-enters the ice. Refs will skate over to the scorekeeper to let you know who had the goal and who had any assists. Record the period in which the goal happened and the player number for the goal and assists in the appropriate columns. We do not document time of goal. At the end of the game, if there is another game on that ice sheet beginning in 15 minutes, leave the clipboard on the desk, otherwise return it to locker 69.

Rink Rats Specific Rules Scorekeepers Need to Know

We have a modified "Gretzky Rule" where every player is only allowed to score a single hat trick per season. After a player has scored their hat trick for the season, they are only eligible to score, at most, two goals in any single game. Players who have scored their hat trick, are highlighted on the score sheet and marked with "HT (#/##)". If a player scores a disallowed goal (e.g. a 4th+ goal in their hat-trick game, or extra goals beyond 2 after they have their HT) the goal itself is not marked on the scoresheet and does not count towards the game, but assists are still recorded (mark the goal column on the score sheet with an X).

FAQ

Q: How do I run the scoreboard?

A: Here is a link to the Peaks video. I'll be making a Rink Rats specific video soon.

https://youtu.be/UF22ysBbkBY?si=jv6mazwM0YXpPJDF

Q: What if something isn't working on the scoreboard?

A: Flag down a team captain. If you guys cannot get it figured out together, the last resort will always be to simply record things by hand, and track timers on your phone. As long as the scoreboard is turned on, the manual buzzer/horn button should always work for you to be able to signal the end of the period/ intermission.

Q: Where are the letter buttons on the South Rink keyboard?

A: There is an insert on the keyboard that slides out to the left, letters are below.

Q: What actually counts as a shot on goal (SOG)?

A: The easy way to think about this is "if the goalie was not in net, would the puck have gone in?" Shots deflected off posts and crossbars are not a SOG. Shots deflected by the goalie that were clearly wide of the net are not a SOG. Shots blocked by other players are not a SOG. A shot on goal that results in a goal IS both a SOG and a goal.

Q: Do I need to play music and announce things?

A: Anything extra that adds to the game is always appreciated, but no, these are not required.