SJTL

Suomen Jääkiekkotuomarien Liitto (SJTL ry) is the national association representing Finnish ice hockey referees. Founded in 1975, it serves as a link and official representative for referees across the country, working to protect the interests of its member organizations and their officials. SJTL’s full members are registered local referee associations, known as referee clubs. Its 39 clubs cover Finland and together include nearly 1,900 carded referees and officiating officials.

The association represents members in discussions and decision-making affecting referee work, and can bring cases of inappropriate conduct toward referees or the referee community to the attention of the relevant disciplinary processes. It negotiates cooperation agreements with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association and Liiga Oy. Through committees involving officials from Liiga, Mestis, Aurora League and officiating roles, SJTL supports proposals and development priorities. Training is a key focus, as is strengthening clubs and cooperation between them through a regional umbrella model developed with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.