Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association
Since 1980, the Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association (WHOA) has been registering, educating, and developing USA Hockey officials with the highest standards for the betterment of hockey in Wisconsin. As a proud partner with the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA), our 1,500 members strive to make the sport of hockey safe and enjoyable for everyone. Our association's members serve the various levels of USA Hockey (youth and adult) and the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
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2024-25 Registration Information WHOA seminar registration is closed.
Please check back for updates regarding 2024 seminar registration. The 2024 registration process is tentatively slated to begin June 1, 2024. Quick Registration Instructions: The WHOA seminar season is complete - no further seminars will be offered in Wisconsin. 2024 seminar registration is tentatively slated to begin June 1, 2024. The instructions below may change after USA Hockey provides updated 2024-25 registration information.
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Important Updates Summer Development Camp Opportunities
***2024 WHOA Scholarship Application Available***
The Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association is pleased to announce the 2024 WHOA Scholarship application process is now open with the deadline for submittal on or before May 1, 2024. The scholarship amount for 2024 is $1,500. The scholarship is intended to encourage WHOA members ages 17-23 who will graduate for High School this spring or students attending institutions of higher education to continue their career as USA Hockey officials for the 2024-25 season while furthering their education. The scholarship application provides additional information about the scholarship and eligibility. New for this year, the WHOA Scholarship coincides with the WAHA Scholarship program for graduating High School seniors. The awarding of the WHOA Scholarship will take place at the WAHA Annual Meeting on August 3 at the same time as the WAHA scholarship awards. The WHOA recipient along with their parents/guardians will be invited to the awards luncheon on the day of the awards ceremony. Scholarship application and eligibility information for 2024 Scholarship are now available here: Applications must be received by Wednesday May 1, 2024. If you are currently a USA Hockey official and WHOA member who is planning to attend an institution of higher education full time in the Fall of 2024, you are encouraged to apply. Questions can be addressed to Bob Peschel, WHOA Scholarship Chair Who is Eligible to Officiate WAHA Sanctioned Games?
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WAHA Specific Officiating Guidelines
In addition to USA Hockey guidelines, WAHA requires all participants to observe additional guidelines for officials:
- Any player or coach who enters the officials' dressing room at any time shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty which shall be reported using the WHOA Game Reporting system. The report is submitted to the WAHA Disciplinary Committee for review and further action.
- Any team manager or spectator (fan) who enters the officials' dressing room at any time shall be reported to the WAHA Discipline Committee via the WHOA Incident Reporting system. WAHA Region Directors are notified and MUST hold a MANDATORY hearing with the team's coach and a representative of the association's board to discuss disciplinary action.
- All teams registered with WAHA/USA Hockey must properly registered USA Hockey/WAHA/WHOA registered officials for all games. To be "properly registered" an official must be in possession of their current USA Hockey card/crest (as defined by USA Hockey registration guidelines) and must hold a current season's registration with WHOA.
- Officials wishing to officiate during WAHA play-offs or state tournaments must be completely registered with USA Hockey (all applicable requirements) and WHOA (paid the current season's WHOA registration fee) by 11:59 PM December 31 of the current season. In addition, officials must be Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4. Level 2 officials may officiate Bantam level and lower games only. Level 1 officials are not eligible for state play-off and tournament games.
- The official method for officiating games in Wisconsin is one referee and two linespersons. However, local associations may use the two-referee system at their discretion. The two-referee and two-linesperson system may be used at the Youth 16U, Youth 18U, High School, Girls 16U, and Girls 19U only after receiving approval from the appropriate WAHA Vice-President.
Covid Resources
WHOA Covid Directive (Effective 8/20/21)
The Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association (WHOA) recognizes the seriousness of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the impact on ice hockey participants and spectators. The WHOA requires all USA Hockey/WAHA/WHOA officials to fully comply with all state and local COVID‐19 orders and requirements.
The enforcement of any state or local orders or requirements is the responsibility of the government agency issuing the order or requirement or the facility management (i.e. ice rink or classroom). Enforcement of any state or local orders or requirements are NOT the responsibility of any on‐ice game official.
On‐Ice game officials shall not be required to enforce any COVID‐19 mask mandate for any player, coach, off‐ice official or spectator. Complaints of COVID‐ 19 mask non‐compliance directed to WHOA officials shall be referred to the government agency issuing the order or requirement or the facility management.
On‐ice game officials may report observed COVID‐19 mask violations through the Incident Reporting System.
This Directive was adopted unanimously by the WHOA Board of Directors on August 20, 2021.
USA Hockey maintains a Covid Information page that can be accessed by clicking: USA Hockey Covid-19 Information
The Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association (WHOA) recognizes the seriousness of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the impact on ice hockey participants and spectators. The WHOA requires all USA Hockey/WAHA/WHOA officials to fully comply with all state and local COVID‐19 orders and requirements.
The enforcement of any state or local orders or requirements is the responsibility of the government agency issuing the order or requirement or the facility management (i.e. ice rink or classroom). Enforcement of any state or local orders or requirements are NOT the responsibility of any on‐ice game official.
On‐Ice game officials shall not be required to enforce any COVID‐19 mask mandate for any player, coach, off‐ice official or spectator. Complaints of COVID‐ 19 mask non‐compliance directed to WHOA officials shall be referred to the government agency issuing the order or requirement or the facility management.
On‐ice game officials may report observed COVID‐19 mask violations through the Incident Reporting System.
This Directive was adopted unanimously by the WHOA Board of Directors on August 20, 2021.
USA Hockey maintains a Covid Information page that can be accessed by clicking: USA Hockey Covid-19 Information