Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
During my time with the KHL, I had the opportunity to take a few league-related trips to Bratislava, Slovakia, including refereeing the Legends Game in Bratislava as part of the KHL All-Star Game festivities. I worked alongside Peter Orszag (the Referee-in-Chief for Slovakia) and KHL linesmen, Viktor Birin and Alex Zakharenkov.
Bratislava is a lovely and historical city, bordering both Austria and Hungary and situated along both banks of the Danube River and left bank of the Morava River. As someone who loves history, I enjoyed taking in modern-day Bratislava while also admiring the sight of the famed Bratislava Castle. The four-tower castle, with a history dates back to the middle ages and sits upon what has been important strategic military location and political hub since ancient times, is a part of living and ongoing history. When Slovakia became an independent country after the peaceful dissolution of the former communist Czechoslovakia, the Slovakian Constitution was signed in the Knights Hall of Bratislava Castle.
Having been to Bratislava and learning about just how hallowed the history of the majestic Bratislava Castle truly is, I was thrilled to learn that the newly created Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame and museum will be housed in the Bratislava Castle complex. There is no greater testament to the importance, endurance and cultural significance of our great sport to the nation of Slovakia and its people.
Special congratulations also go out to the inaugural class of Hall of Fame Inductees: Peter Stastny, Stan Mikita and Vaclav Nedomansky. The Canadian-raised and trained Mikita is a player I always admired as a youngster: a gifted and complete player, gentleman and ambassador for the game and an innovator as well. Nedomansky, who defected to freedom and an opportunity to play hockey in North America, was still an active player in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League when I debuted in those leagues. Such a gifted goal scorer!
Last but not least, Peter Stastny represents much of what is good about our game. By one season, I missed out on being teammates on the Quebec Nordiques with Peter and Anton Stastny after their defection to the west (brother Marian joined the Nordiques lineup in 1981-82). Even so, Peter was someone whom I always held in the highest of esteem: incredible player on the ice, even better person off the ice and the epitome of class and diginity. No doubt, his brothers, who were fine players in their own right, will also join him in the Slovak Hall of Fame.
When I made the transition from playing to officiating, Peter was the type of player with whom it was a privilege to share the ice. Additionally, as magificently skilled as he was, Peter Stastny wasn't "soft" by any means. Opponents who thought they could push him around simply because he was a European skill player found out very fast he had a competitive drive -- even a mean streak -- that rivaled any Canadian kid's. He was also one of the best players I have ever seen when he had the puck on his stick. He could thread some of the most gorgeous passes this side of Wayne Gretzky and he had one of the fastest shot releases I have ever seen.
Congrats again to all of the inductees and congrats to Slovak hockey and Slovakia itself for honoring our game in such a dramatic and meaningful way.
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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.
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.