Training camp for WHL referees

A total of 26 referees and members of the reserve pool took part in the Women's Hockey League officials training camp in Moscow Region.

Throughout the season, these reserve officials will be assigned to officiate matches in the Russian U18 Women’s Championship and national competitions for U15 junior girls. The camp served as the final stage of preparation for the referees ahead of the 2026/2027 WHL campaign.

The program included comprehensive medical examinations, on-ice and general physical fitness testing as well as examinations on the rules of the game and theoretical sessions. Mikhail Karpushin, the Head of the Officiating Department at the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF), presented awards to the officials who worked the final series of the previous season, as well as to those recognised as the top referees in junior-level competitions.

The lectures focused on key officiating topics: Sergey Kulakov, a department head, and Marina Konstantinova, a lead specialist within the Officiating Department, briefed the participants on proper positioning during matches, video review procedures and updates to the rules. Particular emphasis was placed on the latter; the specialists curated video clips from the previous season to help the referees effectively transition to the updated officiating approach.

Guest speaker Elena Malakhova led a session dedicated to team cohesion and collaboration.