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Spirit of Giving: Donate for New Officiating Brethren |
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Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
First of all, condolences go out to the family of longtime NHL linesman(1970-1988) and former officiating supervisor Jim Christison, who passed away yesterday. Born in Vancouver, he was living in Oregon. I'll have more thoughts on Jim in my next blog.
On a happier note, I would like to put out a big thank you to everyone who donated to the big Ice Hockey in Harlem vs. Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation fundraising "Faceoff" event. Both are tremendous programs that do tremendous work in the communities they serve, in ways that go far beyond what the participants learn on the ice. Snider Hockey was declared the winner of the friendly competition but the real winners are the kids who participate in both.
A similar note in the spirit of giving during this holiday season: A BIG thank you goes out to the people who kindly sent along some officiating equipment for our new brother official to help get him started. When you stop to help a kid along the way, besides passing the torch in our game and profession, you have done a great kindness for someone without robbing the person o his or her dignity.
Our new guy now has a helmet and visor, a new whistle, new elbows, referee pants and a gently used referee sweater. I will get his patch and nameplate on that for him.
In the meantime, we could use a linesman sweater, some shin tights, a padded undershirt (lacrosse style L) a padded girdle (L) or a pair of Stevens pants .and a black roller bag or an over the shoulder black bag for his officiating equipment.
Those items that were already sent to me and were doubled up, I will hold onto the extra as we are gaining some other new members. This equipment will help get them started until they can get some games under their belt. Mail me anything you wish to donate. I promise it will be put to good use.
We just picked up a new woman official fresh from college playing who will need mentoring. If you know of others that we can start out on middle school assignments, JV and later USA games after that last January Clinic, please send those people's contact information my way.
Thank you for reading, and happy holidays from Stewy.
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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 ECAC.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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