Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association
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Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association

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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).


2023-24 Registration Information
WHOA seminar registration is now open.
There are significant changes for Level 1 and Level 2 registrants.
Please read our  Complete Registration Instructions before proceeding.

Registration Hints
This section will be periodically updated featuring unique questions or observations surrounding the registration process.​
  • With USA Hockey postponing implementation of virtual Level 1 seminars until 2024-25, all in-person seminars scheduled after 9/1/23 have been expanded by 90 minutes. All participants registered as of 9:00 AM 9/4/23 were sent an email detailing the changes. Questions should be directed to education@wihoa.org​

SIGN UP FOR YOUR SEMINAR TODAY!
The following seminars are full: 10/1 Level 4 Virtual; 11/1 Level 4 Virtual.
The following seminars have a few seats remaining: 10/1 Level 1 Baldwin (4); 10/7/ Level 1 FDL (8); 10/8 Level 1 Sun Prairie (10); 10/22 Level 1 AM Arrowhead (8). Updated: 1046 9/22/23.
                                    ***SEMINAR UPDATE***
This weekend (9/16 & 9/17) marks the approximate half-way point of the 2023 seminar season. 20% of registered officials have NOT signed up for a seminar. Most seminars conducted have been at less than capacity. At this point we have enough open seats to handle the 20% plus some additional registrants. However, with each day that passes, the ability to accommodate everyone decreases and you will most likely need to travel to attend a seminar. WHOA has no plans to add seminars!

Quick Registration Instructions:
Use these instructions only if you are applying for Level 3 or Level 4 and completed your registration last season. If you are a Level 1 or Level 2 official, please click here .
  1. Register and pay your USA Hockey fee. You must complete this step first. REGISTER WITH USA HOCKEY
  2. Wait a minimum of 24 hours for WHOA to receive your current registration data.
  3. Register for your USA Hockey/WHOA Seminar and pay your WHOA registration fee by clicking here. Your referee number is 5-8 numeric digits in length and does NOT contain letters.
  4. At the conclusion of your seminar, you will be given instructions on recording your attendance in USA Hockey Courses.
  • Click Complete Registration Instructions for detailed registration instructions.
  • An updated video describing the registration process and some helpful tips can be found here. Please note: USA Hockey will not conduct virtual seminars in 2023. All seminars will be in person!
  • For a list of seminars, click here. 
  • Questions should be emailed to: Duffy Dyer
Important Updates

                  ***Using Properly Registered Officials***
​

Individuals officiating WAHA sanctioned games must be in possession of a 2022-23 or 2023-24 USA Hockey officials card. There are NO exceptions!

Your 2022-23 registration expires on 11/30/23. After that date, all officials must have a 2023-24 card. Please complete your requirements as soon as possible.


Officials with question about their registration status can contact WHOA by clicking here. Please include a screenshot of your Officiating Information from your profile.

WAHA Specific Officiating Guidelines
In addition to USA Hockey guidelines, WAHA requires all participants to observe additional guidelines for officials. A brief summary is found below:

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. The two-referee and one-linesperson system is NOT an approved USA Hockey officiating system and cannot be used without the expressed permission of the WAHA/WHOA Referee-in-Chief.
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

WAHA has a variety of Covid related information which can be accessed from the WAHA website. Click on the Covid 19 tab at the top of the page for a drop down menu.
  • Home
  • Our Association
    • Board Of Directors
    • Instructor Staff
    • WHOA Supervisors Login
  • How to Become an Official
    • Registration Instructions
    • Seminars
  • Resources For Officials
    • Links
    • Videos
  • Educational Programs
  • Getting Games
  • Contact Us
  • Access Areas
    • Instructors Area >
      • Resources
    • Directors Area >
      • Board Minutes
      • Annual Meeting Documents
  • Game/Incident Reporting
  • Schedulers Area