Official In ice hockey , an official is a person who has some responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game . There are two categories of officials , " on - ice officials " , who are the " referees " and " linesmen " that enforce the rules during game play , and " off - ice officials " , who have an administrative role rather than an enforcement role . On - ice officials . As the name implies , on - ice officials do their job in the hockey rink . They are traditionally clad in a black hockey helmet , black trousers , a black - and - white striped shirt , and black polished skates with pure white laces . They wear standard hockey skate s and carry a finger whistle , which they use to stop play . They communicate with players , coaches , off - ice officials , both verbally and via hand signals . For many years ( and currently in most minor and amateur leagues ) , officials had their last names on the back of their jerseys for identification , normally in a single row across the shoulders . ( Some officials with long names would have their name in two rows , the most notable example being Andy Van Hellemond . ) Starting in 1996 , however , NHL officials wear numbers on their shirts , a procedure adopted by other leagues . Referees . A " referee " is responsible for the general supervision of the game . He can be identified by his red or orange armbands . His judgment of goal s is final . Under most officiating systems , he is the only official with the authority to assess penalties for violations of the rules . However , the linesman can also call a variety of penalties , such as " too many players " , and major penalties if the referee was unable to identify the penalty . Linesmen . " Linesmen " are primarily responsible for watching for violations involving the red line and the blue line . Such infractions include icing and offsides infractions . Linesmen also conduct faceoff s . They are also expected to break - up scuffles , and / or fistfights and other altercations that occur during the game . Some leagues allow linesmen to call penalties ( such as too many players on the ice ) , while others only allow them to report the infraction to the referee . Assistant referees . In some leagues , such as the NCAA , the linesmen are given the title of assistant referee . When given this title , they are given more responsibility to stop play and call penalties that the referee may not see . Off - ice officials . " Off - ice officials " , with the exception of the video goal judge in professional leagues , do not have any direct impact on the outcome of the game . They serve primarily administrative and advisory roles . Goal judge . The " goal judge " determines whether a player has scored a goal by watching to see if the puck has crossed the goal line completely . One goal judge is positioned outside the rink directly behind each goal net . For arenas so equipped , the goal judge turns on a red light behind the goal to alert everyone that a goal has just been scored . The red light ( and the green light which is mounted next to it ) are hooked up to the game clock : when the clock is stopped or the green light is turned on when the game clock reads : 00 , the red light cannot be turned on . The goal judge acts only in an advisory role ; the referee has the sole authority to award goals and can override the opinion of the goal judge . In 2006 , the NHL began experimenting with goal judges in higher seats ( especially upper decks ) with wireless signals . The idea was to allow teams to sell the lower seats , but also to give officials a better view of the action as to be able to reject goals if violations ( illegally kicked in , player in the crease , offside ) took place . Video goal judge . The video goal judge reviews replays of disputed goals . As the referee does not have access to television monitors , the video goal judge ' s decision in disputed goals is taken as final . In the NHL , goals may only be reviewed in the following situations : puck crossing the goal line completely and before time expired , puck in the net prior to goal frame being dislodged , puck being directed into the net by hand or foot , puck deflected into the net off an official , and puck deflected into the goal by the high stick by an attacking player . Official scorer . The " official scorer " keeps the official record of the game . He is responsible for obtaining a list of eligible players from both teams prior to the start of the game . He awards point s for goal s and assist s , and his decision in this regard is final . The official scorer typically sits in an elevated position away from the edge of the rink . Penalty timekeeper . The " penalty timekeeper " records the penalties imposed by the referee . He is responsible for ensuring that the correct penalty times are posted on the score clock . Game timekeeper . The " game timekeeper " is responsible for stopping and starting the game clock . Statistician . The " statistician " records all required data concerning individual and team performances . List of current NHL on - ice officials . Referees . < br clear = " all " > Linesmen . < br clear = " all " > See also . Director of Officiating ( NHL )