C
Clarity News Hub

Do hockey refs have numbers?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 23, 2026

Starting in 1955 with the introduction of the black-and-white jersey, NHL on-ice officials wore numbers on their back for identification. In 1977, NHL officials removed the number and had only their surnames on the back of their jerseys for identification, normally in a single row across the shoulders.

Why do referees have numbers?

Referees wear numbers to differentiate themselves from other referees. While this may not make sense at a younger level (most officials will have a letter on their back rather than a number), it's essential at the NFL and college levels. Just like players need to be identified on film, so do officials.

Why are there 4 refs in hockey?

This might seem easy, but there is a reason the NHL deploys 4 officials per game. The 2 refs mirror each other up and down the ice, watching for the many infractions players could commit on each other, as well as the all-important goal. Ensuring the puck crosses completely across the goal line is their main role.

What are the refs called in hockey?

The on-ice officials who oversee a hockey game are divided into two groups—referees and linesmen. Both wear the standard black helmet, striped shirt, and black pants, but referees add an orange or red armband to denote their status.

How many refs are in a hockey game?

On-ice officials are present on the ice during the game, and traditionally wear a shirt with black and white vertical stripes. The National Hockey League (NHL) currently employs four on-ice officials in each game—two referees and two linesmen.

20 related questions found

Why do hockey refs have numbers?

They communicate with players, coaches, off-ice officials, both verbally and via hand signals. Starting in 1955 with the introduction of the black-and-white jersey, NHL on-ice officials wore numbers on their back for identification.

How many refs are in the NHL total?

Current NHLOA Staff. The NHLOA currently consists of 35 full time referees and 35 full time linesmen. In addition, we have 10 minor league referees and 6 minor league linesmen who split their time between the NHL and the AHL.

How much does a NHL ref make?

The salaries of Nhl Referees in the US range from $14,441 to $385,332 , with a median salary of $69,166 . The middle 57% of Nhl Referees makes between $69,167 and $174,049, with the top 86% making $385,332.

Do NHL referees travel?

NHL Referees are full-time employees of the NHL and there are only 35 of them meaning that yes, in fact, NHL Referees do travel, and they do it a lot!

Are NHL refs full time?

NHL referees are full-time employees of the National Hockey League. Since they are full time employees, they are salaried and receive benefits. They also receive travel stipends.

Who is the highest paid NHL referee?

Highest Salary Of NHL Referees

And now, the best and top-class referees earn as much as $300,000. Another name that comes into mind while talking about this is Referee Vern Buffey. He was the one who was getting almost $13,000 in the same year as Frank Udvari.

Does the NHL have backup refs?

While the NHL assigns standby officials to all playoff games, regular season games don't have a backup official waiting in the wings. The league has already taken steps to reduce travel, with referees and linesmen staying in town to work multiple games between the same two teams.

Do NBA refs pick their numbers?

NBA referees have a number on the back of their uniforms to make them easier to identify. The league uses the numbers for tracking calls made during the games. Fans are also able to quickly search referees by their number through a simple google search. Wikipedia lists every referee and their appointed number.

What does an NFL ref make?

Although the official figures are not usually revealed publicly, after the last agreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association it was known that in the 2019 season, referees received earnings of $205,000 on average. This equates to around $12,000 per game, a pretty significant figure.

Can hockey referees wear gloves?

Like players, referees and linesmen wear certain articles of protective gear to keep themselves safe from injury. Hockey referees in local outdoor, amateur, youth, and recreational leagues may wear regular winter gloves to keep their hands warm during games.

How are NHL referees scheduled?

NHL officials know their schedules as much as six weeks in advance in the early part of the season. Closer to the end of the schedule, it may be as little as two weeks out. Officials are based all over the U.S. and Canada but work everywhere.

Who is the richest hockey player in the world?

Net Worth: $200 Million

Wayne Gretzky's net worth is estimated to be roughly $200 million, making him the richest hockey player in the world.

How thick is the ice in the NHL?

The jersey is sometimes called a sweater because, during hockey's early years, players actually wore sweaters and not the mesh-like jerseys of today. How thick is the ice? Ice is approximately 3/4" of an inch thick and is usually chilled at 16 degrees fahrenheit. The thicker the ice, the softer and slower it becomes.

How long does it take to become an NHL referee?

Level 4 officials have the utmost experience by passing through all the levels, taking approximately 3-4 years. Must get a minimum open book exam score of 45/50 or closed book exam score of 40/50, and complete all other requirements.

How much do youth hockey refs make per game?

Referees who officiate youth and recreational hockey leagues get paid between $30 and $75 per game, which usually runs over a 75-minute ice time. These referees can make their job more worthwhile by officiating multiple games in the same day, however.

When did the NHL go to two referees?

There are 2 referees and 2 linesmen assigned to each NHL hockey game. The four-official system (or two-referee system) was first introduced in 1998-99 on a trial basis and fully implemented as of the 2000-01 NHL season. Prior to that, the NHL worked with one referee and 2 linesmen for nearly 60 years.

How many umpires are required for hockey match?

An umpire in field hockey is a person with the authority to make decisions on a hockey pitch in accordance with the rules of the game. Each match is controlled by two such umpires.

What do linesmen do in hockey?

Linespersons shall check the goal, netting and ice around the goals, prior to the start of the game and prior to the start of each period, and make any repairs that are necessary. Linespersons should count the number of players in uniform and report any discrepancies to the referee immediately.