Come Join Us!
Seeking New On-Ice Officiating and Timekeepers for 2025-2026 Hockey Season
Nepean Minor Hockey Officiating Program (NMHOP)
Think you know everything about hockey, now is your chance to put it to the test!!
Now accepting Officiating applications from March 1st – April 4th, 2025 at www.NMHOP.ca. Please note, we will not be accepting applications after the due date.
A skating test for all new officials will take place on April 13th , 10AM -12PM at Minto Arena. All applicants must register first before taking the skating test. Individuals that do not participate in the skating testing will not be considered.
This year our goal is to hire as many new officials as possible. I have provided some FAQs as insight to all interested candidates and a sense of the expectations to become an official within the NMHOP.
Note: As you read this material, please be advised you must be accepted first by the Referee In-Chief before taking any course(s) through the HEO On-Line Portal for Officiating.
NMHOP
With membership of over 100 officials. NMHOP offers a comprehensive program that allows each official to develop quickly through both On-Ice experience and off-ice instruction. The following information is provided to support your decision-making process on whether to join the NMHOP.
Who should be applying as a new On-Ice Official with NMHOP?
A prospective On-Ice Official should apply as a new On-Ice official if they are:
- A first year on-ice official (i.e., someone who has never officiated minor ice hockey before)
Are there any specific age requirements the NMHOP is looking for?
The minimum age of a new On-Ice Official in NMHOP should be 14+ years old or will be turning 14 years old before the end of the 2025 calendar year.
New Officials that are 18 years or older
Any new official over the age of 18 years old must obtain a Ottawa Police Service, Vulnerable Sector Check, as you will be dealing with minors, this is a HEO policy that is mandatory before you officiate any game.
When will I learn if I have been granted a spot?
The Referee-in-Chief will make every possible effort to notify all successful candidates of their acceptance by May 10, 2025 via email or by phone. If you are not contacted, then your application for the coming season was unsuccessful, most likely due to the number of openings. All unsuccessful candidates are encouraged to try again next year.
The May notification date allows for:
- The Referee-in-Chief (RIC) to determine who is returning from the previous season. All officials in good standing that worked the previous season for the NMHOP are automatically guaranteed a position for the upcoming season.
- To allow for a determination of the number of officials required.
- To determine the number of new officials that can be trained and receive the required development support.
What training is required?
All new officials are required to take an in-person Hockey Canada certification clinic. These clinics are one day in length plus approx. one four-hour online course. Attendance is MANDATORY in order to officiate. If NMHOP commits to you to join our roster, you will be notified of clinic dates well in advance of when it’s occurring.
All new and returning officials that only officiate in D10 and not in other Districts, Central Assigning Officiating or Eastern Ontario High Performance are required to take part in a Mandatory Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) approved quiz program during the hockey season. This requirement is standard across all Officiating Districts within HEO.
What is the recruiting policy for prospective new NMHOP Officials?
The Nepean RIC is responsible for the recruiting, training, and development of all registered On-Ice officials within D10. However, the Referee-in-Chief of D10 is under no obligation to recruit and/or use any official who obtains certification (training as noted above) without first approaching and obtaining the permission of the D10/NMHOP Referee-in-Chief beforehand.
Application Process
- Please click on the appropriate application/form link below and complete the associated form on our website at. www.NMHOP.ca Based on the number of applicants and ice availability, there will be a 1 hour Mandatory skating test involved to assess your skating abilities.
- You may be contacted for an interview, if successful in the skating portion of the testing.
- If successful, all new officials will be provided with an On-Ice session with Sr. Officials and given instructions on positioning/procedures in the Fall.
Hope to see you on the ice!
Jeff Deavy -NMHOP, RIC (D10)
