I do not watch hockey games in the same way most folks -- even fellow former NHL players -- do. My early years of being influenced by my U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer grandfather Bill Stewart Sr. and watching by dad, Bill Stewart Jr., as a coach and an official, followed by my own decades of officiating experience, taught to me to observe things in more of a big-picture way.
I have no rooting interest for any team. I root for a well-played and well-officiated game.
I am, however, human. I pull for my sons to succeed, not only in their hockey games but in every endeavor in their young lives.
This past week, I watched my younger son, Maxwell Stewart, play in the Jr. Chowder Cup for the Future Pros team from Toronto. ..Max is a left winger/ center, already standing 6-foot-2. He has yet to fill out (he's about 150 pounds) so don't turn him sideways into the sun or you might miss him. Max is working at it, though, with frappes and big breakfasts. My wife Lori and I were thrilled for Max as his hard work, skating at 5:45 AM, workouts at the gym, shooting pucks in the back yard. All those early mornings are paying off for him.
Maxwell finished The Junior Chowder Cup tourney with three points (two goals, one assist) in three games played. His team finished 1-1-1 with a loss by one goal forcing a tie breaker in their bracket between three teams with all the same 1-1-1 record.
In the meanwhile, my older son, McCauley, reffed five games with ECAC / Hockey East Referee Cam Lynch...Mccauley is 18 now, buying a car this week and paying for it from his reffing money and his work at Dick's Sporting Goods. His games this past week paid $70 per match. It's a nice car, too.
To my fellow hockey parents, I say this: Encourage your kids to consider officiating as well as playing. We need more refs and good ones, too. I can teach you so come on over to "The Dark Side." Contact me here if interested.
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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.
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains 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.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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