I am not sure whether it irks or amuses me when misinformed people say that hockey officials have no accountability. The reality is that referees and linesmen undergo as much scrutiny, evaluation and feedback from supervisors, assignors and league officiating directors as players do from coaches and general managers. In every season and in every significant league, there is a system in place to evaluate, reward, fine/suspend or even retire (whether by choice or duress) officials whose time has come to step off the ice.
Being evaluated is part of the job description for officials and everything the referee or linesman does -- preparation for the game, conditioning, Rule book application, positioning, dealings with players and coaches and functioning as a member of a team,punctuality, work ethic, etc, -- is subject to review. Negative reviews can be felt in the wallet, because assignments can ride on them.
Over the years, I grew used to being critiqued and, later, reviewing other officials. My approach is to be bluntly honest but with an eye toward teaching and coaching. Reviews are strictly business.... all personal feelings of whether I like or dislike the person off-the-ice are removed. I dare say that I do a better job at crafting thorough and emotionally detached reviews than many assignors and supervisors; I learned from the some of the best like John McCauley, John Ashley and Frank Udvari.
Are there times where I have to assign officials whose work I consider just average? Yes, that's a reality of this business. Just as with players, not every official in the league is going to be a star. There are only so many people in the officiating pool and every game has to have a crew (this is why we need to recruit more -- and better -- candidates around the hockey world). However, continual improvement there are some lines in the sand that my officials had better not cross if they want to keep working games for me.
Below is a sample written assessment of an official. I wrote it last year on the work of a KHL official. All identifying names, locales and the date of the game have been removed.
Official Evaluated: John Doe Date: Whenever
Assignment: Referee
Location: Arena A Score: Home team won by a bunch
Home Team: The Guys in Dark Uniforms Away Team: The Other Guys
Evaluation Rating System
Excellent (5) = Outstanding for that category, excellent performance, stellar officiating
Good (4) = Slight room for improvement, well above average, very few issues, reliable officiating
Fair (3) = Minor cause for concern, moderate deficiencies in this area, passable officiating
Poor (2) = Encountered significant problems, clear shortcomings, undependable officiating
Inadequate (1) = Overwhelmed, unacceptable performance, no confidence in this officiating
General Comments and Notes: I have seen Referee Doe at least 5 times this season. Skating backwards and forwards but especially backwards is a concern. Conditioning is another concern. He knows it and he has been told after every game. Get moving and get to the net.
Category: Appearance (Uniform, Attitude, Presence/Poise) Evaluation Rating: 4 Comments: He looks professional in his uniform. As for his attitude, he does not seem to respond to coaching and suggestions. It's his career. My advice: get moving and get skating.
Category: Skating (Forward, Backward, Hustle) Evaluation Rating: 2.5 Comments: Often gets in the way: Skates to the half-boards and stands there. Called several penalties as R2 from well behind the blue line. Does not understand that skates are for skating. Referee Doe is not moving in the form needed for this level. Got knocked down in corner, and it was his fault.
Category: Positioning (Goal Line, Blue Line, Reaction to Play, Stoppages) Evaluation Rating: 2.5 Comments: A byproduct of not skating is poor positioning. I honestly recommend that Referee Doe get skating and improve his positioning significantly if he is to stay at this level. He's not helping himself. Do get someone to work with you on your technique.
Category: Signals (Execution, Assessment Procedures) Evaluation Rating: 5 Comments: Not the issue.
Category: Judgment (Rule Knowledge, Rule Application, Consistency, Decisiveness, Game Control) Evaluation Rating: 2.5 Comments: Positioning sells calls. A goaltender interference call was made from over 100 feet out..from that far, yes, there was contact, but the low referee, 20 feet away didn't call it. It was a call that could have been let go and trust the near man to make the call and he wouldn't hang you. Not a strong call.
Category: Awareness (Rink Conditions, During Play and Stoppages, Teamwork/ Communication) Evaluation Rating: 4.5 Comments: No real issue with this aspect.
Category: Communication (with Officials, Players, and Coaches) Evaluation Rating: 4.5 Comments: Not an issue. He's a likable guy.
Category: Working the Net Evaluation Rating: 2 Comments: He's told to get to the net and he stands in the corners. Why?
Category: Penalty Calls Evaluation Rating: 2 Comments: Not many in the game. Not a real issue except for the goalie interference.
Category: Conditioning Evaluation Rating: 2.5 Comments: Referee Doe is not in as good condition as his brother officials who work the same games....needs to tighten up his stomach and get some power for backwards skating which is his real deficiency. Core strength is missing.
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******** Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart serves as director of hockey officiating for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) at both the Division 1 and Division 3 levels.
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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