Fellow Officials:

By now you have been made aware of a new chapter of ice hockey officials in the state of New Jersey that has been approved by the NJSIAA to work high school games.  Now, there are three associations you may qualify to belong to; NIHOA Metro NY-NJ, SJIHOA, and the new, New Jersey High School Hockey Officials Association.  Along with this news, there has been a ton of misinformation on the impact this new association will have on YOU, the official.

Let me assure you the only major impact on YOU will be CHOICE!

NOW, you will have a choice on which chapter of officials you would like to be a part of.  Some of those choices will be based on where you live and what fits best for you (SJIHOA), but the other two associations are based on their own admission qualifications.

In a time of ever increasing need for officials at every level, in every sport, the New Jersey High School Hockey Officials Association was formed.

Let me be clear:  If you are a member of NIHOA and are happy there, there is nothing different you must do.  You will be assigned games by the same assignors and in the same manner.  This will continue to be seamless as is done ALL OVER THE STATE in other sports.

The New Jersey High School Hockey Officials Association is a welcoming organization for all those who apply.  We will have three required meetings (state mandated), video clips, interactive rule sessions, and meeting playback capabilities.  Additionally, there will only be dues payable to NJSIAA (required for everyone) and the NJHSHOA (minimal).  NJHSHOA aims to coach, teach, mentor and evaluate each new member to best put those officials at the necessary and appropriate level of play.

Prior to today, if you were a member of a hockey chapter in New Jersey, you would ALSO have to pay dues to a NATIONAL ORGANIZATION!  Not the case with NJHSHOA.

Game Fees for the state will be $114 for Varsity in the Big North, GMAC, MCSSIHL, NJIIHL, MCSSIHL, and Shore. $80 for JV.  Game fee for Skyland will be $115/85 respectively.

I encourage everyone to go to the Join Us link in the menu and fill out an application.

Either way, good luck in the upcoming HS Hockey Season.