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Just a few yards from northern Vermont, there is a high school called Stanstead College in the Village of Stanstead, Quebec. While it is not a college, it is a long time educational institution that also has a beautiful hockey arena named after my late and longtime friend Pat Burns.
Some years ago, I had the honor of reffing the first game played at the Pat Burns Arena in 2011.
Now these many years later, three teams, from Burlington and from Guelph Ontario came to play and practice in a four day Hockey Camp against a team from Stanstead with some of the other players from various areas around Quebec.
Even Walpole MA was represented. Two of the players getting the chance to play for Stanstead were my sons, Maxwell and McCauley Stewart. I had the pleasure to referee four games in this Tournament. I had the chance to be on the ice concentrating on reffing but, I must admit, also sneaking a peek or two at my boys as they played for Stanstead.
People have asked me my why I left my job in Russia, working for the KHL. Quite simply, the picture below holds that answer:
The next photos is a view of the Stanstead Varsity Locker Room in The Pat Burns Arena..the coaches, Dan Poliziani a former Yale Bull Dog along with his assistants Matt Thompson, goaltending coach, and strength coach Patrick Colombo ran a first class camp under the direction of James Rioux, the Director of Hockey Operations for the school. I was impressed.
Here is a view of the dressing room. The discipline that the coaches insisted on from the players in their drills can be seen with their spic-and-span dressing room. It was so neat that I am truly hoping my boys bring this habit home. Speaking of habits...read the saying from Aristotle. That ancient Greek philosopher may not have been a skater but his words ring true for all who strive for excellence.
On Thursday evening, all the teams met on the Stanstead College green for a pig roas. It was fabulous; so juicy and tender, along with the baked Pomme de Terre, the Caesar salad, The macaroni salad, the fresh rolls and butter and the fruit juice or iced sweet tea. As they say in Quebec, "Incroyable!!!"
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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 director of officiating for the ECAC. He has been with the ECAC since 2007.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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