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It is commonplace in hockey to modestly downplay success and longevity as a matter of good luck: a fortunate bounce of the puck, transferring individual accomplishments to being mostly the product having good teammates, good fortune in playing through injuries, you name it.
I do it, too. However, when you really think about it, luck has very little to do with it.
In the classic 1949 film "Twelve O'Clock High," General Frank Savage (portrayed by legendary actor Gregory Peck) gives a startling speech on leadership. That speech and segment of the movie is used as a teaching tool in all U.S. military colleges, including West Point, the Air Force Academy and Annapolis.
Part of the speech deals with "luck"; specifically, the general's attitude about those who explain away both good and bad happenings by attributing it all to luck. Over the years, I have found that many in hockey do just that, especially in public.
I have done it myself at times, asserting that I have been very lucky in life. Luck is a humbling, self-effacing crutch that people can modestly lean on to explain success.
At its root, however, it is the willingness to sacrifice many things in life to achieve goals and get the job done at all costs that truly explains the success that I -- and many others -- have had in achieving success despite the odds.
I can guarantee you, in fact, that in both life and hockey, much of one's "luck" is actually self-made. A team may get a fortunate bounce of the puck, but that only came after a lot of hard work -- and not losing focus when there wasn't immediate gratification.
Having any sustained success and longevity in hockey and life is not the product of luck. It's the product of dedication, work ethic, a devotion to self-improvement and a good support system.
In the ever-changing landscape of Hockey, we see many come and go. For me, those people that are truly memorable are those that had a passion that was never phony. I watched guys like Mike McKewan as a rookie with the Rangers just skate and skate. He was not all that big but he lasted because he could skate. I played with Jamie Hislop, who without fail, daily, did hundreds of situps and pushups, taking himself to the 20 goal plateau year after year. Robbie Ftorek could stop and start, dangle the puck and roof it at the net like no one else. Why? He practiced it daily.
Likewise, watching Whitey Stapleton showing Barry Melrose how to cross over backwards, turn, plant and push off with ease and almost like a dancer, it took Melly taking it to heart and working at it constantly to take hold. It helped Melly as he went from a lumbering young player to a solid, smooth D man in Cincy and Toronto..
As a college student at the Class of '23 Rink in Philadelphia, I watched Dave Schultz's daily work on carrying the puck, turning in little figure 8's with Flyers assistant coach Mike Nykoluk encouraging him. Yes, he could fight but Schultzie became a solid player that could go out and contribute to the club on a shift when he needed just to play. He made himself in a 20-goal scorer at the NHL level one year.
Long before he became one of the NHL's most accomplished general managers, my old Binghamton Dusters roomie Ken Holland became a better goalie because he used to stay out after practice and took shot after shot always looking at his angles and playing the game because he was smart. He wasn't that big. Ken used the same smarts as a GM in Detroit.
Yes, the landscape and payroll of Hockey has changed. But those with the passion and the desire to get better are still the same. They are the hardest workers. Luck has almost nothing to do with it.
Wisdom comes through self-critique and reflection. Surrounding oneself with the right influences and learning to distance oneself from bad influences is part of self-awareness and maturation.
You want an example of actual good luck? I once had the opportunity to sit next to Gregory Peck himself -- AKA Gen. Frank Savage, Atticus Finch, Keith Mallory and Ahab. Mr. Peck was a tall man with very big hands and a confident but gentle handshake.
I found Mr. Peck to be a quiet and humble man in our short conversation. After respecting his privacy for over three hours on a flight from LAX to ORD, I dared to compliment him and tell him how much his work moved and inspired me. He was as gracious as gracious could be.
To this very day, the late Mr. Peck's work still keeps me company on many nights as I settle in and go about doing my own work.
I still watch the leadership speech from "Twelve O'Clock High" from to time-to-time as a refresher, especially when I must make decisions on and for my family of officials.
I will tell you this: Making decisions and taking a stand on issues is NOT a license to have a bully pulpit. You must gather information, analyze the evidence and data, reflect on the alternatives and then make a decision. Sometimes, it isn't easy or pleasant.
Leadership can be tough. That's why there is usually only one true decision-maker. I sometimes look to the military and military history for inspiration, and there is usually only one person on the horse at the head of the army.
In the hockey team realm, the decision-maker on the micro level (line combinations, strategic adjustments, etc) is the coach. The general manager makes decisions on the macro level (acquiring personnel, negotiating contracts), etc. Both need to surround themselves with good people and have mutual trust in one another as well as commanding respect among their troops in the dressing room.
Without a strong, disciplined and well-trained army backing that leader, the most important battles will never be won. A good leader of a great team understands and appreciates that the troops are doing their work with the success of the team in mind. They give the leader their all, and deserve nothing less in return.
Hockey is very much like this model of leadership and teamwork, but it can be applied to pretty much any successful team in any field. I have been a team member -- in both playing and officiating capacities -- and I have been a leader, as well. I have learned that one can not succeed without the other.
I have seen leadership from both sides of the fence. When I was an NHL official, I saw what good leadership was about and what it can accomplish to galvanize the troops. I also dealt with bully bosses, and saw how they could wreck morale.
Sometimes when others above you in a hierarchy make decisions about you, it presents you with a decision of your own: accept or reject their decision.
Often times I did things with the strongest impulse telling me NOT to but there was that impish side of me that thumbed my nose at one certain boss. He demanded respect but didn't know how to command it. Rather, he was an oppressive, psychological deviant who watched me and couldn't wait for me to do something just so he'd have an excuse to stick me.
I have said this before and will say it again. Men like John McCauley and Scotty Morrison were good role models for how to lead and how to teach. Men like Bryan Lewis and Colin Campbell were good models for what NOT to do. I have never suffered fools or bullies willingly, even when they are in positions of authority.
At any rate, on all of the teams of officials with whom I have worked, I have been very "lucky" indeed.
I remember what my Dad said to me a few days before he passed away, "Paul, I don't owe anybody." Well, I may have felt I have been shorted a few times in my own life. Overall, with Lori, McCauley, Maxwell and my family, all of my friends and living the life I have lead, I came out way ahead of the game.
To this day, they teach me what a strong support system is all about. When you have it, you feel invincible. It may be a fallacy but you feel like you can conquer anything.
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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 is the chairman of the officiating and discipline committee for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and serves as director of hockey officiating for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials, while also maintaining 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.
Stewart is currently working with a co-author on an autobiography.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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