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1997 NHL Rulebook - Officials
Rule 36. Referee

The REFEREE shall have general supervision of the game and shall have full control of all game officials and players during the game, including stoppages; and in case of any dispute, his decision shall be final. The Referee shall remain on the ice at the conclusion of each period until all players have proceeded to their dressing rooms.»

All Referees and Linesmen shall be dressed in black trousers and official sweaters. They shall be equipped with approved whistles and metal tape measures with minimum length of six feet.

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 is more than fifteen minutesÕ 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 Commissioner the cause of the delay and the club or clubs which were at fault.

It shall be his duty to see to it that all players are properly dressed, and that the approved regulation equipment is in use at all times during the game.

The Referee shall, before starting the 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 are in order.

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, Goal Judge or Video Goal Judge before making his decision.

The Referee shall announce to the Official Scorer or Penalty Timekeeper all goals 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 standard signal given by the Referee when the goal signal light was put on in error. The Referee shall report to the Official Scorer the name or number of the goal scorer but he shall not give any information or advice with respect to assist.

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

He shall not halt the game for any infractions of the rules concerning off-side play at the blue line or center line, or any violation of Rule 61, icing the puck. Determining infractions of these rules is the duty of the Linesmen unless, by virtue of some accident, the Linesman is prevented from doing so in which case the duties of the Linesman shall be assumed by the Referee until play is stopped.

Should a Referee accidentally leave the ice or receive an injury which incapacitates him from discharging his duties while play is in progress, the game shall be automatically stopped.

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

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

Should a Linesman appointed 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.

If, owing to illness or accident, the Referee is unable to continue to officiate, one of the Linesmen shall perform the duties of the Referee during the balance of the game, the Linesman to be selected by the Referee. In the event that an NHL Supervisor is in attendance at a game where a spare official is present, he shall have the authority to substitute the injured Referee with the spare official.

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

The Referee shall report to Commissioner promptly and in detail the circumstances of any of the following incidents:

When a stick or part thereof is thrown outside the playing area {Rule 81(c)} Throwing Stick;

Every obscene gesture made by any person involved in the playing or conduct of the game whether as a participant or as an official of either team or of the League, which gesture he has personally observed or which has been brought to his attention by any game official {Rule 68(a)} Obscene or Profane Language or Gestures;

When any player, Trainer, Coach or club executive becomes involved in an altercation with a spectator {Rule 63(b)} Interference by/with Spectators;

Every infraction under Rule 28(b) Major Penalties, major and game misconducts.

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