Founded in 1985, the CCHRA was created to address the need for neutral referees to officiate youth hockey games in the central Connecticut area. The driver behind the groups creation was to address years of complaints from youth groups regarding the inconsistency of officiating when playing in competitors rinks.

In response to these complaints, Sal Folio, then the director of the CHC asked that an officials group be created similar to those in the North and Southern portions of the state.

Thomas DeMartino (East Haven), Dr. Perry Opin (Southern), Tom Alling, Dave Lockery (Hamden), John Brockett (Wallingford), Ed Drucker (Yale, and Dann Russbach (North Haven) met over the course of a year to compile a list of 48 officials would would become the founding members of the Central Connecticut Hockey Referee's Association.

The first meeting of the CCHRA was held in September of 1985 with the organization servicing Bridgeport, East Haven, Hamden, New Haven, Southern and Yale youth hockey groups. The following year, West Haven youth hockey was added.

The first Executive Board Consisted of:

President/Commissioner - Thomas DeMartino

Vice President - Dr. Perry Opin

Treasurer - Tom Alling

Today, the CCHRA provides officials for 12+ youth hockey organizations and tournaments covering over 2000 games per season