Men's Division 1: four officials at every home game
Rule numbers: ACHA Manual Part Four, Art. I (Game Day Requirements) ACHA Manual Part Four, Art. III, Sec. 1(D)
For 2026-27 the ACHA Manual's Men's Division 1 game-day requirements say all M1 home games are to use a four-official system, or the home team is subject to a fine, and the M1 rules-of-play section names two referees and two linespersons as the only approved M1 system. If an official does not appear or cannot continue, the referees may adjust the system as long as at least two officials remain on the ice. The same requirements list a private referee room, a lineup card for the referee and the game announcer, an ice cut after warm-up and between periods, and a game protocol posted for the officials and the visiting team. Officials do not fine teams, but missing items belong in your report.
- On the ice
- Two referees and two linespersons; if one cannot continue, at least two officials must remain.
Example
An M1 home team assigns only three officials for a regular-season game. Under the 2026-27 Manual the game requires a four-official crew, and the shortfall exposes the home team to a fine.
Common mistake: Treating the four-official crew as optional in Men's Division 1, or saying nothing in the report when a required referee room or protocol sheet is missing.