Timekeeper Recruitment Information

Each season the Guelph Hockey Referees Association (GHRA) receives applications  to become a timekeeper. During the off-season we evaluate how many timekeepers we'll need for the coming season and then review all of the applications received.  

If your application is accepted, you will be contacted regarding the Timekeepers clinic which usually takes place in August. Please be aware that we may receive more applications than we need and that we are not able to accept all applicants.Also, the minimum age to become a timekeeper is 14 as of December 31st of the season you're applying for (ex: for the 2019-2020 season, anyone born in 2005 or before may apply to be a timekeeper).

GHRA provides the training clinic that teaches you the proper way to fill out a game sheet and all the duties that are required as a timekeeper/scorer. At the clinic you are given a manual for future reference of the correct procedures.

​For your first assignments you will be paired up with an experienced timekeeper who will show you how to do the job. Once both you and GHRA are comfortable that you know the job you will work on your own (higher divisions of hockey such as Midget are always done in pairs).

Kindly read over the procedures found on the right of this page, and if you feel you would be a good fit for the position, click on the contact button to send us your information.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DUE TO THE INCREDIBLE RESPONSE WE'VE HAD FOR TIMEKEEPERS, WE'VE SUSPENDED THE APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS FOR THE COMING SEASON. WE'LL OPEN UP THE APPLICATION PERIOD AGAIN NEXT FEBRUARY
PROCEDURES FOR THE OFFICIAL SCORER AND TIMEKEEPERS

General:
  • Be at arena 30 - 40 minutes before game time
  • Have the following equipment:
    - 2 ball point pens - 1 pencil
    - 1 small pad or note paper - 1 stop watch (in case of clock failure)
  • Off-ice officials should be at their respective positions promptly at the start of the game and at the beginning of any period when the ice has been resurfaced.
  • Understand the coincidental Minor/Major/Match penalty rule.
  • Understand the Delayed Penalty procedure.
  • Know the officials signals for penalty infractions.

Pregame Duties:
  • Turn on clock and test. If you are not familiar with the clock, spend some time learning the system.
  • Pick up the game sheet from the home team official. Check to ensure that a responsible official from each team has signed and that all team officials’ names appear on the game sheet. Also ensure that the Captain (C) and Alternate Captains (A) along with Affiliated Players (AP) have been appropriately annotated.
  • Check to ensure that all pertinent information has been properly recorded on the official Game Report, including the date of the game, league, category, length of periods, name of teams and conveners name and address.
  • Deliver the Game Report to the Referee for approval before the game and report any difficulty in obtaining pertinent information.

Game Duties:
  • Record the start and finish time of each game.
  • Enter on the official game report a correct record of the goals scored, by whom they were scored, and to whom assists, if any, are to be credited as well as the time of the game they were scored.
  • Record all penalties assessed, stating the numbers of all penalized players, the duration of each penalty, the infraction, and the time at which the penalty was assessed. Keep the time served by each penalized player during the game and, upon request, inform the penalized player as to the unfinished time of the penalty.
  • Multiple penalties during the same stoppage of play shall be recorded in their order of occurrence, as reported by the Referee.
  • Advise the Referee when the same player has received a second Misconduct penalty during the game.
  • Advise the Referee when a player has received a third stick infraction.
  • Open the door when a time penalty expires, to avoid players returning early.
  • If a player leaves the penalty bench before the time has expired, note the time and inform the Referee, at the next stoppage of play.
  • In any dispute regarding time, refer the matter to the Referee for a final decision.
  • If the goalie is changed, record the time of that change on the game sheet.
  • If a player leaves the game because of injury, record the time on the game sheet.

Post-Game Duties:
  • After the game when all players and officials have left the ice, ensure that the game sheet has been completed in its entirety, especially the correct recording of all goals and penalties. Correct or explain any errors to the Referee.
  • Deliver the official Game Report (all copies) to the on-ice officials for their signatures. Do not cross out any blank spaces as the Referee may have further information to add. Do not write on the game sheet after the on-ice officials have signed it. Ensure that you also sign the game sheet.
  • Hand deliver one (1) copy of the official game report to each team at the conclusion of game. Give the original copy of the game report to the officials so it can be forwarded to the league office.