Jayna Hefford believes with the short runway to bring in and educate officials, the adapting rules, and much more, the PWHL's "officials have done an incredible job" in year one.
From bodychecking, to new rules like the jailbreak, the PWHL did things differently this season. They also compiled a rule book at seemingly adapted and evolved throughout the season, including in how officials called games.
Officiating, particularly as it related to body contact, and what referees called and what they didn't was a hot button topic of debate this season among fans. Officiating came into view on many video review calls as well, including the most important disallowed goal of the season, what appeared to be the Walter Cup championship goal scored in double overtime of game four by PWHL Minnesota. Minutes later after officials waved off the goal, Boston would win the game.
As PWHL senior vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford stated in a press conference two days before that crucial decision, although not everyone will agree with calls every night, the PWHL is happy with where their officiating is at.
"I don't know if you'll ever get a collection of people that all agree on officiating in any sport in any league, we're actually really happy with where we're at," said Hefford.
The league "set out initially to find the best officials" they could tapping into the NHL, AHL, Hockey Canada, and USA Hockey to develop a pool of game officials. It was rocky to start, particularly as the adapted bodychecking rules played out and the level of physicality was discovered, but Hefford feels the players and officials have now settled in.
"We...also adjusted the standard of play to this league, it's not full bodychecking, but there is an increased level of physicality in the game so I think we spent the early months of the season really trying to figure out where that line is and get people comfortable with it."
While Hefford is happy with where the league is at in terms of officiating, she knows, as with all things in the PWHL moving forward, the league will look for ways to improve.
"Are we right there? We're probably not right there yet, but we're really happy with where we're at," said Hefford. "We think the officials have done an incredible job in the league this season."