HEDDY SOROUR

A growing number of referees in District 4 of Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) are raising concerns about what they see as arbitrary rule enforcement and a disregard for the district constitution and HEO policies. They say the result is confusion, frustration, and anxiety among experienced officials.

District 4 includes teams from Carleton Place Minor Hockey Association, Almonte Pakenham Minor Hockey Association, and Perth Lanark Minor Hockey Association, as well as teams from Osgood, Richmond, Munster, Stittsville and West Carleton. 

The dispute began in February 2024 during an Ottawa B Hockey League playoff game. Veteran referee Rickie Smith, with 15 years’ experience, made a call resulting in a penalty shot for one team and a gross misconduct for travesty of the game against the opposing team’s goalie for shooting the puck at the players celebrating on the ice after the goal was scored. The call was filmed by a parent, and the video supported Smith’s decision.

Despite this, the HEO Assistant Referee in Chief (RIC) overturned the call, citing a rule unrelated to the incident. In an email, he told Smith: “This is the last warning. Get into the rule book and learn the rules and how to apply them properly. I can’t have officials, particularly adults, working at this level for playoff games that don’t know the rules or how to apply them.”

The assistant RIC made the decision without speaking to Smith, reviewing the video, or consulting District 4 RIC Lou Matura, who had reviewed the incident and agreed with Smith’s call. Matura says HEO’s own policy requires video review and a formal hearing before overturning an on-ice decision, and only if a team contests the call.

Smith, his two linemates from that game, and two other experienced referees were suspended for the rest of the season without explanation. All had been re-certifying annually as required.

“I’ve been re-certifying every year for 15 years. This was the first time anything like this happened and it was my last chance,” Smith said.

Matura, a level-three referee with over 50 years officiating and 15 years as District 4 RIC, says he has never had serious issues with the suspended officials. “There have been times I didn’t agree with a call, but that’s normal,” he said. “Every referee is different, and the teams are different at every game.”

District 4 Chair Amanda Waterfield says the suspensions followed several complaints, but the officials say they were not told of any specific allegations until six months later and have never received documentation or been given a hearing.

The controversy deepened at the District 4 annual general meeting in May 2024. Asked if he would return as RIC, Matura said yes, but days later was told the role would be split into administrative and on-ice/training duties. Believing association presidents had suggested the change, he agreed to keep the on-ice side. Two days later, Waterfield announced a new RIC. The appointment appeared on LinkedIn before any application process began, and association presidents later said they were unaware of the change.

Matura and his wife Kelly, the district assignor, resigned soon after. He says the decision to split the role without a presidents’ vote violated the District 4 constitution, which requires such changes to be approved by association presidents.

Waterfield gave a different account: “In regards to the departure of our District RIC and Assignor, both these positions were left vacant by the incumbents and these positions had been posted last summer and again this spring for applications.”

Matura says the postings came only after association presidents were informed of the situation. “I could have asked for a stipend for my work as RIC, but I never did. I’ve always seen it as my way of giving back,” he said.

Terry Foley, president of Stittsville Minor Hockey, called Matura “well respected around the district,” and noted younger referees value his mentorship.

Other officials also spoke out. Level-three referee Peter Kenney emailed colleagues urging action: “The current leadership in District 4 has failed to take responsibility for their actions, and it’s time we all take a stand.”

At one point, about 35 senior referees made themselves unavailable, jeopardizing the season for young players. Some returned for the 2024-2025 season out of love for the game; others quit permanently.

Neither Matura nor the suspended referees have been told the outcome of HEO’s investigation or had their concerns addressed.

Waterfield maintains the matter is closed: “Some officials did step away; however, we were able to move forward with the 2024-2025 hockey season with our officials, growing our base and offering many new officials the opportunity to grow.”