Standout Stripes: Featuring Ben Leaton

My Journey as a Hockey Referee: Lessons Learned and Why I Love What I Do

Meet Ben Leaton, who first laced up his hockey skates at the age of 9 after discovering his passion for skating. 

​For nearly 5 years, Ben honed his skills on the ice and learned what it means to be part of a team. “Those years of playing taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, which, I believe, have made me a better official today. At 14, I put on the stripes for the first time, officiating youth hockey games for around two years. By 16, I was getting my first taste of junior and college hockey, which is where my journey as a referee really began to take shape,” he says.




​Fast forward to the 2023-2024 season, where Ben had the opportunity to split his time between youth, junior, and college hockey. He shares that this is what became a game-changer for his career as a ref. His skating improved dramatically as he was officiating every weekend and working alongside veteran officials. 

The balance between other referee’s guidance and experience was crucial to Ben’s rapid development as an official. So far this season, Ben’s stepped up to officiate at the NCAA and SPHL levels. “The transition to higher levels of hockey has been a humbling experience, and it has taught me that patience and persistence are key. I’ve learned that making mistakes is part of the process, but the most important thing is to ask for feedback, learn from it, and keep pushing forward. No one expects you to be perfect, but they do expect you to hustle, and that’s something I strive to bring to every game,” he says. 

Ben’s also been able to gain valuable life lessons through officiating from respect, accountability, and the importance of being a team player. “Officiating has made me a better person, and I’m thankful for every opportunity I’ve had to grow both on and off the ice,” Ben says. 

How Ref’s Crease Has Helped Ben Grow
One of the most significant factors in Ben’s growth as an official has been the support he’s received from Ref’s Crease. He goes on to share that the staff, especially the Binda family have been a tremendous source of support in helping him navigate the challenges of officiating at all levels. They’ve always made sure he’s challenged in his games and placed in the right situations for his development. 

Every Monday night, Ref’s Crease holds a Zoom call called the Monday Night Quarterback series (MNQB) to review clips from the weekend’s games. Ben shares that this has been an invaluable opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and get constructive feedback from supervisors. Whenever he’s seeking additional feedback, Ben sends in clips, and the supervisors are always eager to help. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance and support from Ref’s Crease. Having the Bindas and other supervisors in the rink with us is essential for our development, and their feedback is crucial to improving our performance as officials,” says Ben. 

A Noteworthy Story from the Early Days
One of the most memorable experiences in Ben’s officiating career happened last year during a junior game. He rushed to the rink for a Friday night game, and in his haste, he didn’t take the time to mentally prepare. As soon as the game started, he was struck by the faster pace, and he quickly realized he wasn’t ready… which resulted in two significant mistakes within the first 20 minutes, both of which led to goals. By the end of the first period, he was feeling frustrated and disappointed with himself.

The game ended, and he could barely bring himself to take off my equipment. Then, his partner came into the room and handed him the game puck, telling Ben, “Remember where you came from.” That simple gesture had a profound impact on him to this day. Although he didn’t want to remember the game, he threw the puck into his hockey bag as a reminder to learn from his mistakes. That night, he spent a lot of time reflecting on the game. The next day, he realized the importance of being mentally prepared for every game, no matter what level of hockey it is. From then on, Ben made sure to get to the rink early and give himself the time he needs to prepare and focus. That experience, painful as it was at the time, helped shape him into a more focused and disciplined official.

Advice for New Referees
To any new official, Ben shares that getting experience at the youth level is essential, even if you’ve played at a high level. It’s important to learn how to manage a game, and making mistakes at the youth level is much better than making them at a higher level. A positive attitude goes a long way, especially in the locker room. Be someone people enjoy working with, and they’ll be more willing to help you improve. Help others, and they’ll help you– it’s a team effort. 

On a physical level, working out like a hockey player is crucial for advancing as an official. A big part of being a referee is skating ability, and if you're not in the right position, it’s difficult to make the right calls. Your fitness and appearance are the first things people notice, so it’s important to be in good shape and look the part.

Finally, don’t forget to have fun. Officiating is a serious job, but it’s also something to enjoy. Smile, laugh, and remember to look around every once in a while—take in the atmosphere of the rink. It’s meant to be enjoyable.

Why Ben Loves Being a Referee
“The best part of being a referee, without a doubt, is the people I get to work with. I’ve had the privilege of working with a great group of officials who are dedicated to taking the game seriously and still have fun on and off the ice. Sometimes, it’s the simple things—like grabbing dinner or going golfing with a few friends after a game—that help break up a long season. Having hobbies outside of officiating is essential to staying balanced and performing well during the season,” Ben says. 
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Favorite Professional Hockey Team
Ben’s favorite hockey team is the Boston Bruins - he shares that there’s nothing like watching them play! 

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