Referees are just as important as the players in any sports game. They make the hard calls and deal with the unexpected fights and arguments on the pitch. Referees need to be tough so they can handle everything that comes their way in a match.
However, in the National Hockey League, this is even worse. NHL players who skate for a living are some of the toughest you’ll find around, so the referees need to be tougher. Referees must face the strange fighting culture that comes with hockey, along with unexpected accidents.
But are they paid enough to deal with this level of responsibility? In this article, we’ll answer the following questions:
· How much do NHL refs make?
· What referees and linesmen do
· Average salary scale for professional and amateur referees
· The Future of NFL Officiating
So, let’s get started!
What do NHL referees and linesmen do?
The Referees and NHL Linesmen work alongside one another, and Wikipedia states that they enforce rules and maintain game order. Here’s a look at the role of each one on the pitch.
Referee
The main role of referees is to enforce game rules and make major calls. They can make decisions on plays, award penalties and goals. Referees are also responsible for handling the pace of the NHL game and dealing with issues of misconduct among hockey players.
Lineman
They are also called assistant referees. Their main task is to support the main referees. Linemen monitor violations, offsides, and other plays. They also help access minor penalties and maintain the flow of the game by managing face-offs and stoppages.
The referee depends on the linesman to assist with minor calls so they can focus on important parts of the game. This collaboration ensures that every part of the game is properly monitored.
Salary scale: how much do NHL referees make?
Before we go into how much NFL referees make, we first need to look at their compensation system. Here are some important things to note that affect NHL referee salaries:
· Rank: Linesmen make less than the since they have a supporting role.
· Experience: The amount referees can earn depends on their experience and how many games they’ve overseen in the league. The more games and seasons they have covered, the higher their salaries.
· Performance also affects how much referees are paid in the playoffs. Referees who perform well with excellent results will get additional compensation and more high-paying games per season.
· Assignments: Refs earn better when they make it to a top hockey game like the Stanley Cup playoffs and Winter Classics earn more
· Contracts: Lastly, some referees have unique contracts with special terms and bonuses. This will allow them to earn more per game than usual.
Now you know the various factors that may influence how much refs make per season. The next step is to investigate how much NHL officials get paid.
1. Regular season salary
During regular seasons, NHL officials’ earn between $165,000 – $360,000 per annum. Newbies will begin at the lowest end of the scale, which is around $137,000 for NHL linesman salary and $200,000 for referees. As we mentioned earlier, this figure will continue to increase as the officials get more experience.
According to Scouting the Refs, a referee with 15 years of experience could earn up to $400,000. In contrast, linesmen with the same level of experience can pull in up to $228,000.
2. Earnings in the playoffs
Playoff assignments are great for the experience of referees and mean more in earnings. Instead of a salary, NHL officials receive a bonus during the playoffs. Refs get a fixed fee of up to $27,000 per round. In contrast, a lineman could earn up to $17,250 per game/round.
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3. How much are amateur referees paid?
New referees or amateur referees begin their NHL career at the rookie level. This means they earn way lower than the more experienced ones. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t earn a decent income. Amateur NHL refs make annual salaries of around $100,000 – $150,000. As they gain more experience, they can rise up the ranks until they become high-level referees.
Amateur referees go through regular training and strict evaluation before and during their first NHL season. This is to make sure they are ready for the stress of professional hockey officiating.
Average salary of NHL referee
Mid-level or average referees are those who have some experience but haven’t become top-tier. Those in this category can earn salaries ranging from $150,000 to $220,000. As they get more experience and officiate more games, they can boost their earnings.
The NHL’s highest paid referee: How Much do NHL Refs Get at Elite Level?
Some elite referees, like we already mentioned above, earn more than $400,000 annually. The highest-paid NHL referee is Wes McCauley followed by Kelly Sutherland. They are known as elite or top-tier referees with years of experience on the pitch. Elite referees are expected to be professional and get assigned to top-tier games like the Stanley Cup final. Their skills are important for ensuring the competition remains fair.
The future of NHL officiating
Like every other aspect of sports, the future of the NHL looks bright. So, what’s in store for the future of NHL officiating? Here are a few:
· Technology: The NHL has introduced video innovation with staff in place to review calls and assist referees when there are issues. We expect to see this advance in the future, and this could change game officiation and affect salaries.
· Expansion: As the NHL continues to grow, there may be openings for more linesmen and referees. What’s more, it could lead to the introduction of new teams, which means there are more chances for referees to earn more money per season.
NHL Referees: The Key to a Successful Game!
The NHL is constantly changing, but the referees and linemen will always be important. Referee salaries determine their experience and the challenges that these officials will have to deal with. While top-tier referees earn the highest, amateur – mid-level NHL refs get paid a respectable amount. Ultimately, NHL officiating requires constant learning, commitment, and the skill to always perform well.
