Who we are
The National Ice Hockey Officials Association (NIHOA) is a national association of ice hockey officials, organized in local chapters. It grew out of independent hockey officials associations formed in the 1930s, and was formally organized in 1955, when a Constitution and By-laws were developed and accepted by several chapters.
In 1956 NIHOA was selected as the officials’ organization to service ECAC hockey, and it went on to develop a strong relationship with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). NIHOA has been represented each year at the NCAA Rules meeting since 1965.
What we do
Our Constitution sets out the purpose of the Association:
- to promote the welfare of the game of ice hockey, its players and officials;
- to maintain the highest standards of officiating;
- to encourage the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship;
- to have thoroughly trained and capable officials available at all times for the appointing authorities, colleges and schools;
- to cooperate with the other organizations officially connected with the game of ice hockey in furthering its interest and ideals in the United States.
Much of that work is about the rules. NIHOA has issued an Annual Rules Examination to its chapters every year since 1957. Because NIHOA officials work under more than one rule book, the exam grew to cover USA Hockey and National Federation of High School rules as well as NCAA rules. Chapters meet through the season for rules discussion, interpretation and technique.
NIHOA officials have traditionally officiated all levels of hockey, and are selected each year to officiate NCAA Championships.
How we are organized
NIHOA is national in scope and is made up of local chapters. Each chapter sets its own membership qualifications, gives its members a written rules examination every year, and elects its own officers.
Each chapter also elects members to the national Board of Directors, which holds its annual meeting on or before April 30. The Board elects the national officers: a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President and a Secretary-Treasurer. With the Immediate Past President they form the National Executive Committee.
Meet the National Executive Committee · See the organizational chart · Read the NIHOA Constitution
Our history in brief
NIHOA’s six charter chapters were Connecticut, Maine, Metropolitan New York–New Jersey, Northern New York, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, and the first annual meeting of the Association was held in 1956.
In 1965 the NCAA printed the “Directive for Ice Hockey Officials”, written by NIHOA official Herb Gallagher. It has often been referred to as the “Bible for Hockey Officials”.