Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
As a coach of officials, I tell referees to count to three before they stick their arm in the air: Llook at the act and then have a feel for the result.
A great referee will develop that "stroke the hair" move when his arm goes up a bit quickly and he catches himself. That was something I could do back in the day as I wore no helmet. Nowadays, pretending you caught a rut and trying to catch you balance might be how you get your hand down once you start to get it up and suddenly realize that it would be a horsechip penalty.
As a teacher, I prefer the count to three method, a dab of crazy glue on your pant leg, thus giving the referee a second or two more to filter what they have seen and then firmly decide if they need to call it a penalty. YOU need to think and have the guts to make the call or not make the call. Afterwards, and for all time, you own your decision.
You would be surprised how often I left rinks with a headache from the concentration that I had to use during the game. People were quick to tag me with that label of "he's being the show." I resented it then and I still dislike it to this day. I am the first to own up to my flaws but this particular criticism is both untrue and unfair.
I may have needed six orange cones some nights BUT I gave you all I had out there and all I cared about was trying to do the best job I could do. My personality was -- and is -- aggressive and exuberant but I care about this game too damn much to do anything to intentionally take away from it.
Today, I try to teach young officials to be better. I you wonder why I hang onto some people in stripes when so many others think I should send them on their way, here's why: Maybe I see a little of me in that young one and I hear the voice of John McCauley talking to John Ashley and now whispering to me, "Make him a good official."
Just keep that flag man and the orange cones handy and remember: Some seeds take longer than others to grow.
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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.