Rule 502. Referee

1. The REFEREE shall have general supervision of the game, and shall have full control of all game officials, team officials and players before, during and after the game, including stoppages; and in case of any dispute, his decision shall be final.

   On-Ice Officials should enter the ice surface prior to warm-ups and remain on the ice at the conclusion of each period until all players have proceeded to their dressing rooms. Penalties may also be assessed during the warm-up period.

2. All On-Ice Officials shall wear black trousers, official sweaters and a black hockey helmet, with helmet strap fastened. All On-Ice Officials shall wear the current USA Hockey officiating crest on the left chest of the sweater during all games. Any other crest that is worn must be located on either arm of the sweater. They shall be equipped with whistles and metal tape measures with minimum length of six feet. The wearing of name-plates shall be regulated by each League.

3. The Referee shall order the teams on the ice at the appointed time for the beginning of a game, and at the commencement of each period. If for any reason there be more than fifteen minutes delay in the commencement of the game or any undue delay in resuming play after the fifteen minute intervals between periods, the Referee shall state in his report to the Proper Authorities the cause of the delay, and the team or teams which were at fault.

4. When he becomes aware of any lack of conformity to the regulations on equipment, it shall be his duty to see that the required equipment is in use.

5. The Referee shall, before starting a game, see that the appointed Game Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer and Goal Judges are in their respective places, and satisfy himself that the timing and signalling equipment is in order.

6. It shall be his duty to impose such penalties as are prescribed by the rules for infractions thereof, and he shall give the final decision in matters of disputed goals. The Referee may consult with the Linesmen or Goal Judges before making his decision.

7. The Referee shall announce to the Official Scorer or Penalty Timekeeper all goals and assists legally scored as well as penalties, and for what infractions such penalties are imposed.

   The Referee shall cause to be announced over the public address system the reason for not allowing a goal every time the goal signal light is turned on in the course of play. This shall be done at the first stoppage of play regardless of any signal given by the Referee when to goal signal light was put on in error.

   The Referee shall report to the Official Scorer the name or number of the goal scorer and any players entitled to assists.

   (Note) The name of the scorer and any player entitled to an assist will be announced on the public address system. In the event that the Referee disallows a goal for any violation of the rules, he shall report the reason for disallowance to the Official Scorer who shall announce the Referee's decision over the public address system.

   The infraction of the rules for which each penalty has been imposed will be announced correctly, as reported by the Referee, over the public address system. Where players of both teams are penalized on the same play, the penalty to the visiting player will be announce first.

8. The Referee shall see to it that players of opposing teams are separated on the penalty bench to prevent feuding.

9. If, through misadventure or sickness, the Referee and/or Linesmen appointed are prevented from appearing, the Managers or Coaches of the two teams shall agree on a Referee and Linesmen. If they are unable to agree, they shall appoint a player from each team who shall act as Referee and Linesman; the player of the home team acting as Referee, and the player of the visiting team as Linesman.

10. If the regularly appointed officials appear during the progress of the game, they shall at once replace the temporary officials.

11. Should an appointed Linesman be unable to act at the last minute or through sickness or accident be unable to finish the game, the Referee shall have the power to appoint another, in his stead, if he deems it necessary, or if required to do so by the Manager or Coach of either of the competing teams.

12. If for any reason one Official is unable to continue to officiate (three-man system), the game shall be officiated with one Referee/one Linesman or with two Referees as mandated by the local governing body.

13. The Referee shall check team rosters and all players in uniform before signing reports of the game.