NHL Refs: How Junior Hockey Shapes the League’s Officials with Skating Skills and Experience

Hockey is unique in that way. NHL refs are all former Junior guys. That’s where they recruit. They want guys with good skating ability, and hope of…

The path to becoming an NHL official is not standardized, but it often begins in junior hockey leagues where former players transition into officiating roles. According to a 2019 article from The Hockey Writers, many referees and linesmen leverage their skating abilities and game experience from minor league play to advance quickly through the ranks. The article notes that while some officials spend decades trying to reach the NHL, others like Mitch Dunning achieved the milestone in under five years after starting his officiating career in 2014, making his NHL debut in March 2019.

The NHL actively recruits former players for officiating positions through initiatives like the Exposure Combine, an annual event designed to identify and train the next generation of referees and linesmen. As reported by NHL.com in August 2018, the combine brings together former players and aspiring officials to simulate the experience of working an NHL game, including skating onto the ice in full gear and visualizing game scenarios. Fitness and skating ability are emphasized as crucial components for success, with many participants having played at junior or professional levels before transitioning to officiating.

While personal connections can play a role in opportunities, as noted in a 2025 Facebook post within a hockey officiating group, advancement is also tied to achieving specific certification levels. The post stated that being a friend of referees’ higher-ups may provide an opportunity, but officials are encouraged to reach Level 3-4 in USA Hockey as quickly as possible to improve their prospects. This reflects a blend of networking and structured progression within the officiating development system.

Examples of current officials who have followed this path include Derek Amel, who was featured in a 2024 Ontario Minor Hockey Association article as part of the “NHL Stripes” series highlighting officials’ journeys. Though specific details of his career trajectory were not elaborated in the available sources, his inclusion in the series underscores the league’s effort to showcase officials who have risen through the ranks, often from junior hockey backgrounds.

The NHL’s reliance on former junior players as officials stems from the belief that their firsthand experience with the speed and physicality of the game enhances their positioning and decision-making on the ice. This recruitment strategy is supported by both historical trends and current development programs, which aim to prepare officials not just to enforce rules, but to anticipate play and maintain optimal sightlines — skills often honed during years of skating in competitive environments.

As the league continues to groom officials through combines, mentorship, and structured advancement pathways, the message remains clear: the NHL values officials who have lived the game. Whether through rapid ascension like Mitch Dunning’s or steady progression through the minor and professional leagues, the journey to officiating in the NHL is rooted in skating ability, experience, and a deep understanding of hockey — qualities most commonly found in those who once played it.