Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association

2018-19 Seminar Schedule


WHOA is proud to announce WHOA/USA Hockey Officiating Seminars for the 2018-19 season. Seminars begin in mid-August and conclude in mid-November at various locations throughout the state. All seminars will be for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 officials except those listed below:
  • 9/30/18: This is a Level 4 seminar only. WHOA has not yet set a location as WHOA is working on an online pilot for Level 4 officials. WHOA is not sure if online level four will be a reality for the 18-19 season and will make a decision on a seminar location no later than July 1, allowing officials ample time in planning their fall schedule.
  • 10/27/18: The seminar held in Green Bay is the annual invitation only Level 1 seminar known as the Zebra Cup for Green Bay area officials. Green Bay area officials interested in attending the Zebra Cup should work through their local officials association for further information.
  • 11/18/18: Dodgeville will be hosting a Level 1 and Level 2 seminar geared toward officials who participated in fall hockey or officials who experience a last minute change in their winter status (e.g. were unexpectedly selected for the varsity team). The Dodgeville seminar is also a great opportunity for adults to become involved in officiating once they know what teams their children will be participating on for the season! Note: Due to required processing time and close proximity to December 1, Level 2 officials attending this seminar may not receive their 2018-19 card/crest by December 1 and may not be eligible to officiate.
Registration for seminars will begin on August 2, 2018. Further registration instructions will be posted closer to registration opening. Questions regarding WHOA/USA Hockey seminars should be directed to your WHOA Region Directors or Duffy Dyer, the WHOA Education Coordinator. Duffy can also be reached by phone at 218-349-0327.

The complete Seminar Schedule is now available.

2018 WHOA Scholarship


The Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association is pleased to announce we are accepting applications for the 2018 WHOA Scholarship.

One $500 scholarship will be awarded to the top applicant who will continue their officiating career while attending college in the Fall of 2018. All graduating High School Seniors or Undergraduate college students who are currently registered as a USA Hockey official and member of WHOA are eligible to apply.

Scholarship Applications are due no later than May 31, 2018.

To receive the scholarship award, you must be enrolled full-time in college or technical college for the Fall 2018 semester and register as a USA Hockey/WHOA official for the 2018-19 season.

Background Screening


All officials who are 18 years old are required to have a background screening done through WHOA. If an official does not have a current screen, he/she may not officiate any USA Hockey games in the state of Wisconsin. Any person turning 18 during the season will also need to complete a background screening or they will not be eligible to officiate.

The WHOA has partnered with WAHA’s screening vendor, Protect Youth Sports, with the goal of providing timely and accurate service for officials and administrators. Effective immediately, Verified Volunteers is now replaced with Protect Youth Sports.

We have created instructions for navigating their website.

You can also view your screening date in the WHOA Screening Database.

Please feel free to view the Background Screening Policy.

Playing Rule Comparison


USA Hockey has published the 2017-18 USAH-NCAA-NFHS Rules Comparison chart. This document lists the differences between all three rule books and can be a very good resource.

USA Hockey Playing Rule Change Summaries


The up-to-date rules summary and other pertinent information that will go into the Playing Rules Book is listed below.

*NEW* USA Hockey has published some rule clarifications in this FAQ Memo on the 2017-21 Playing Rule.

SafeSport Education Program


*NEW* The SafeSport Refresher course (which is approximately 35 minutes long) will only be available until approximately September 18th, after which the training will transition to the Center for SafeSport’s platform and all persons taking training will be required to complete the new, full course (which will be approximately 90 minutes long).

As part of USA Hockey's continued effort to create a safe playing environment for all participants, those officials who are 18 years of age or older (as of August 1 of the current registration season) are required to complete an online SafeSport Education Program every two seasons. The online program is free of charge.

You will need your current USA Hockey Membership Registration Confirmation Number (not your Officials Number) to complete training. Registration confirmation numbers can be obtained at the main USA Hockey Registration page.

WAHA Development Conference


At the WAHA Annual Meeting, WHOA gave a presentation pertaining to the recruitment, retention, continued education and assignment of officials.