What do the referees and linespersons do in ice hockey?
I · Intermediate · Officials, injuries and categories · 11 of 13Referees run the game: they call penalties, rule on goals and have the final word on the ice. Linespersons call offside and icing, drop the puck at most face-offs and break up fights. Off-ice officials keep the score, the game clock and penalty times. Only the captain may speak to the referee about a rule.
How it works
- Referees: general control of the game and of other officials; their decision in disputes is final.
- Penalties and goals: called by the referees, who may consult the linespersons.
- The whistle: a referee may judge play stopped a moment before the whistle sounds.
- Linespersons: call offside and icing; drop the puck except at the start of periods.
- Linespersons may also: stop play for too many players, hand passes, high sticks and injuries; report some fouls the referees missed.
- Off-ice officials: scorekeeper, game timekeeper, penalty timekeeper and statistic staff, with goal judges where there is no video.
- Announcements: penalties and goals are announced over the public address.
- Uniform: black helmet with visor and neck protector for on-ice officials.
- Reports: majors, game misconducts and incidents with spectators are reported.
The glossary has the referee, the linesperson, the off-ice officials, the captain, the proper authorities and the penalty.
Tricky cases
The puck crosses the line a moment after the referee decided play was dead but before the whistle. Goal?
No. The referee's judgment of when play stopped decides.
Can a linesperson give a penalty?
They report certain fouls to the referees, such as a double-minor high stick the referees missed, and can call too many players.
A linesperson sees a major foul by the scoring team before a goal. What happens?
The goal is disallowed and the penalty given.
Who rules on clock disputes?
The referees, using the video review consultant if needed.
Why the rule exists
Splitting duties lets referees watch the players while linespersons watch the lines. It is a fast game, so two sets of eyes on each task are needed.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Referees | Final on-ice decisions | IIHF 31 |
| Linespersons | Offside, icing, face-offs | IIHF 32 |
| Off-ice officials | Scoring and timing | IIHF 33 to 36 |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 30 to 36 and Appendix II (Off-ice officials, On-ice official). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.