Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
On the message board of my previous blog, several readers discussed the recent preseason KHL incident that saw Barys Astana player Damir Ryspayev sucker-punch several opposing players. In a train-wreck sort of way, the incident could be a valuable teaching moment. Many errors were made here.
Secondly, there needs to be re-education of the officials -- not just the ones who were on the ice at the time, but also reinforcement with all officials -- of how to handle situations like these before they escalate the way this one did. Mr. Ryspayev should not have been left unattended and he should have been escorted directly off the ice in a timely manner.
This was an ugly incident but it could a catalyst for positive and needed corrective steps moving forward.
*********
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.