Ask the Ref:

As a referee, I can tell you that during a heated game—especially between fierce rivals that can only be distinguished by the primary coloured shirts they wear—we can't give a long explanation about a call or a rule on the floor. The game moves fast, and we don’t have much time to stop and talk things through. If the question is reasonably presented, we’ll often give a quick interpretation of a play and the call we made, and then move on.  This can never be a debate.

It’s also worth remembering that everyone sees the game differently. From a parent the stands or a coach atop the bench, a play will look one way, but from the floor, only a couple of metres away, it can look completely different. Players, coaches, parents, and referees all have their own completely valid points of view, but the referee’s perspective is the only one that decides the call.

One important rule we follow is this: "it’s okay not to make a call if we didn’t see something, but it’s never okay to call something we didn’t actually see." Referees can’t watch every corner of the floor at all times, so we rely on teamwork and experience to cover the game as best we can. Learning where to look and how to anticipate plays takes time, and it’s something referees keep improving over the years and never stops, and then, layer on 227 page rulebook with 88+ rules for a young ref might be overwhelming.  We're all works in progress!

If something happens during a game and you’re not sure about a call or situation and you don’t have a rulebook handy, we’re here to help.

At GCBHL, we regularly review game footage through LiveBarn as needed. We're often alerted by referee game reports or parent emails and turn to video to figure out what happened. In the end, we are looking for learning opportunities for our league and referees, and in the also our players, coaches and parents.

If you’d like clarification on a situation, please email us. We’re happy to take a look and get back to you, either by email or phone.

In your request, please include:
- Date
- Time of day
- Period
- Time remaining
- Brief description or details of the situation

Without these key details it's difficult to hone down to a particular part of the play you wish for us to review. We'll review the situation and take appropriate action, but we will respond.

For technical or rule interpretation questions, email Tony at referee@gcbhl.com 
For conduct or personnel questions, email us at gascityballhockey@gmail.com 
For sensitive or more confidential matters, email Blair at president@gcbhl.com

Thanks for your time and have an excellent weekend!

Tony Hasiuk
Referee-in-Chief