All on-ice officials under the age of 18 will wear one green band on their left arm during all games to identify these officials as minors to team staff, players, spectators, and parents.
The objective of this program is to reduce harassment and abuse of younger on-ice officials by clearly identifying them as minors and to protect their psychological and physical safety at the arena.
Like many branches across Canada, recruitment and retention of officials continues to be a challenge particularly in some of our smaller communities. Over 25% of all HNO officials are under the age of 18 and work a large portion of minor hockey games in the Branch.
Officiating numbers have continued to drop within HNO and Hockey Canada over the past decade. One out of every three officials quit after their first year. Over half leave the officiating program after two years and 65% are no longer officials after three years. Officials cite harassment and abuse as a reason why they have decided to quit officiating.
Hockey Northwestern Ontario strives to lead, promote and encourage positive hockey experiences for all participants involved in our game.
