48 HRS
Minimum notice to cancel a game
Every game's assignor is identified by the code shown before the league or club name in the Type field, visible when you request games or view your schedule. Match the code below to find who to contact for that game.
Find the code from the Type field, then reach that assignor directly. On desktop, an assignor's phone number also appears in the directory and under the assignment.
| Code | Assignor | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| MCHO | MCHO Assignor | |
| BD | Brian DeSchepper | |
| BM | Bob MacPherson | |
| CZ | Mike Czubek | |
| TK | Todd Kellerman | |
| DB | Bryan Dorynek | |
| EN | Eric Netzel | |
| JB | Justin Baugher | |
| KV | Keith Varkalis | |
| SD | Steve Deinzer | |
| WAGS | Mike Wagner | |
| DRT | D. Ray Tucker | |
| ASHL ROM | Keri Zschach | |
| ASHL WD | Nicole Witt |
CUHL games are assigned by Mike Wagner, Steve Deinzer, and Bob MacPherson. Contact all three for any CUHL game.
MCHO Assignors are Brett Straley, Dave Zednik, Mike Nargie, and Scott Gaffney. For MCHO-assigned games, use assignor@mchofficials.com or 312-626-8577 only, never an individual's private contact, so whoever is on call can respond promptly.
These policies apply to every official. When a rule points you to the game's assignor, use the directory above to find who that is.
If you work a game solo, notify that game's assignor that your partner was a no-show. Do this immediately if possible, and no later than 12 hours after the game.
Notify the game's assignor to cancel. A minimum of 48 hours is required, and individual assignors may require more.
Cancellations should only be made in emergencies. Repeated cancellations may result in loss of games or cancellation fees.
If an emergency arises, contact the game's assignor with as much notice as possible. Assignors share cancellation and no-show information, and repeat offenders lose their assignments.
A no-show is subject to a fine of double the game fee.
Payment is monthly. Organizations are invoiced at the end of each month, and you're paid around the 10th of the following month, depending on how quickly clubs pay. For example, games worked October 1–31 are paid November ~10th, plus or minus a few days.
You're responsible for confirming your schedule is correct. Any error, a wrong game or fee, must be fixed before the 5th of the following month, when payment processing begins.
Corrections can't be made once payment is sent, so contact the game's assignor immediately if you spot a problem.
A returned ACH costs $25, charged by banks and processors and passed on to you. Double-check your routing and account numbers, and confirm your account can receive ACH payments.
Update this in Horizon: Personal Profile (grey right-hand menu), then Bank/SSN/Other Info (orange left menu). Your SSN and banking details must stay accurate so payments process and your 1099-NEC can be issued.
1099s are issued by January 30th for the prior year's game payments.
Everything you need to officiate this season, in order: register with USA Hockey, register with IHOA, then complete your seminar and education requirements. New Level 1 officials can knock out classroom and on-ice training at an IHOA / MCHO / CUHL in-person seminar this summer.
The order matters. USA Hockey comes first — IHOA receives your USA Hockey registration data daily, roughly 24–48 hours after you register, and you can't complete IHOA registration without it.
Complete the online membership application at membership.usahockey.com and pay your officiating membership fee for the level you're applying for.
Once your USA Hockey data has synced (allow 24–48 hours), complete your IHOA membership and pay dues.
Finish every USA Hockey education requirement for your level by December 31, 2026.
After you submit your USA Hockey application, track everything in the USA Hockey Learning Center. Your profile records your seminar attendance, module completion, rules exercise, SafeSport, and background screening status.
Submit the online application at membership.usahockey.com between May 1 and November 20, 2026. Your Learning Center profile is created here and tracks all remaining steps.
Every official attends a seminar for their level each season. Sign up through the USA Hockey Learning Center — or, for Level 1, attend one of the in-person IHOA/MCHO/CUHL seminars below.
Complete the video education modules assigned for your level in the USA Hockey courses portal.
An open-book exercise based on the 2025–29 USA Hockey Playing Rules. You complete it by answering the required number of questions correctly — keep your rulebook next to you.
Required for officials with a 2009 birth year or older. New officials take the core course; returning officials complete a shorter annual refresher. Free through USA Hockey's SafeSport page.
Officials 18 or older must complete a USA Hockey sanctioned NCSI background screen, valid for two consecutive years. Outside screenings are not accepted.
When every requirement is complete, USA Hockey mails your referee registration card and season sweater crest (allow 10–15 business days). Attach the crest to your sweater — only then are you eligible to accept assignments. A complete membership stays valid through November 30 of the following season.
Pick your level to see prerequisites, dues, and requirements for 2026–27. Not sure which level you're eligible for? It's designated on your online USA Hockey officiating application.
Anyone who has never registered with USA Hockey as an ice hockey official must start at Level 1. Only the District Referee-in-Chief may approve an exception (for example, extensive officiating experience under another body), and no first-time official may register above Level 2. Card and crest must be in hand before you accept assignments.
You may apply one level higher than your completed level from last season. You're allowed one "unregistered" or "incomplete" season and can return at your last completed level (except Level 4). A completed Level 1 official can take a season off and remain eligible for Level 2 the following season.
An official who is 16 or older when registration opens and has completed two or more seasons must register at Level 2, 3, or 4 based on eligibility — you can no longer remain at Level 1.
You cannot raise your registration level after your online application is submitted — choose carefully before you pay. You'll need your 6–8 digit USA Hockey Officials ID (no letters), found in your USA Hockey verification email or on your prior season card.
Full policy details: USA Hockey Registration Rules & Policies.
IHOA, Mid-Coast Hockey Officials, and CUHL/AAU are offering in-person seminars for 2026–27 that satisfy USA Hockey and AAU requirements — 5 hours of classroom and on-ice training. Highly recommended for all new officials and for Level 1 officials not required to advance to Level 2 this season.
Classroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterClassroom + on-ice training. Bring skates and your confirmation email.
RegisterSign up through the registration form on the IHOA seminar page, then save your email confirmation as proof of registration and present it at check-in on seminar day. Additional dates and locations will be announced as they become available.
Read everything above first — most registration questions are answered on this page. Then:
Level exceptions and district-level registration policy — Tim Richter.
centraldistrictric@gmail.comMembership rules, seminars, Learning Center, and requirement tracking.
Registration Rules & Policies
