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Kowal Hits the 1,000-Game Mark |
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Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
My body often reminds me of how old I am, and just how many games I accumulated as a player and a referee. Let's put it this way, I can predict a rainstorm without ever hearing an advanced forecast. That's because I feel the rain coming in my knees and shoulders, hands and back.
Just in case those physical reminders aren't enough, there's the realization that some officials whom I played some role in breaking in during their early days are now reaching -- or have surpassed -- the coveted 1,000-games mark in the National Hockey League.
Referee Tom Kowal just reached the 1,000-game milestone last night in Calgary as the Flames took on the Nashville Predators. I am proud of Tom, and I think he is good inspiration for any aspiring official -- or person in any walk of life with a dream -- who has ever been told he's not good enough to achieve his goals.
When he was an aspiring official, Tom was labeled someone whose skating was simply not good enough to make it to the NHL. I think back now to his work ethic, dedication to the game and those many days that he put in hour after hour of work with Mandy Curtin to improve on his skating....and, eventually, to overcome the perception that he could not make it.
It should also be said that the NHL's Bill Daly had faith and confidence in Tom during his uphill early battle. We all need someone to believe in us, as the late John McCauley and the NHL's Jim Gregory did in my own officiating days.
Most of the credit, though, goes to Tom himself. It was with all his extra effort and Mandy's tutelage that he was able to prevail in your career and come to this great moment.
Welcome to the 1,000-game club, brother!
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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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