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If I had my druthers on what to do with the rest of my life, it would be to help as many aspiring officials and meet as many interesting people -- from whom I can learn something, and perhaps even teach something -- as I possibly can. Over the last few years, I've had to scale way down on the number of hockey officiating clinics I conduct as well as the number of speaking engagements (both sports and non-sports related) for which I make myself available.
I have missed doing these things, and that's why I am now trying to again fit as many of these engagements as I can into my schedule. Next Wednesday, I will be speaking at the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Mass. I will be talking about hockey, of course, with stories from my playing and officiating careers. However, the central theme is about finding and pursuing one's passions.
Something that has become a consuming passion for me in my remaining time on this earth: overthrow the officiating people's current system and getting better officials for the kids that play this game. We have a crisis brewing with shrinking and aging ranks of officials available to work games at all levels with any competency.
Quite simply, the recruitment methods are outdated, there are not nearly enough clinics held in early summer when there's a window of opportunity to draw in interested people. Then there's all sorts of red tape in getting a patch, testing standards at Level 1 that border on overkill and overzealous scrutiny. The concept and art of TEACHING someone with potential to become an official is lost in the name of bureaucracy.
We have far too many officials and officiating bosses that lose sight of the issues of competency, common sense, fitness levels, and what Officiating should be about. It's time to work together or perhaps a revolution will soon be coming instigated by parents that are tired of seeing the children's games officiated by incompetent, overweight, but "patched" people.
Ultimately, the level of the game and the level of officiating is paid for by the parents. As a hockey parent myself and as someone who knows what actually goes on on the ice, I am scared when I see officials who are overweight, have poor skating skills, lacking basic competency, and no feel for the game reffing and lining in my son's games at the U 18 and U 14 elite levels.
It's dangerous out there, folks.
This is a call to arms or, rather, whistles: We need more people to try hockey officiating. I am constantly suggesting to former pro, collegiate and junior to players to come give it a try. If not for the money, do it for the chance to stay on the ice, stay in the game and contribute something positive in a place where we all love to be.
There are some of us who have been pros both in the playing and officiating realms. I did it. So did current NHL referees Dean Morton (a former defenseman who played one game in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings) and Wes McCauley (drafted by the Red Wings in the 1990 draft and played minor league hockey until the mid 1990s). Likewise, rookie NHL referee Evgeny Romasko was a player in Russia before embarking on his officiating career.
Maybe you played collegiate hockey. You didn't get to the Olympics and the pro league is not there for you. Come give officiating a try.
In the ECAC, we need linesmen and referees. In the ISL, we need linesmen and referees. You name the league, and need officials. We need women officials, too. We will have an open tryout for the ECAC in June at Rodman and for the ISL, Chowder Cups, KHL, VHL and MHL.
Hey, that's a whole lot of 'HLs. So what the L, might as well try. We'll get you going somewhere.
By the way, the jump from working the lines to reffing is a small one if that's where your ultimate interests lay: Gain experience, gain acceptability, gain familiarity with the players and coaches.
I see players who finish college or high school and then skate a few nights a week in a beer league. That's all well and good, but you pay to be there. Come out and give officiating a try. We will pay you.
Something else that I can't explain verbally but you'll experience once you get going reffing or lining games: It's a satisfaction in the game that you can never get playing or coaching.
Get hold of me. I cannot make any promises that you will make the pros or officiate in the Olympics but you never know what the future may hold if you have the conditioning, the right mental makeup and the work ethic, Ask Mike Mullen, Matt Brady, Ryan Knapp, or Evgeny Romasko.
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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.