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In the years before my grandfather Bill Stewart became an NHL referee and Stanley Cup winning coach as well as a Major League Baseball umpire, he was himself a promising young baseball player rising through the minor leagues. However, his strong sense of patriotism took precedence over sports in his heart and mind. He became the first player in any pro baseball league to volunteer for World War I service.
On Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada, I never neglect to say a very personal thank you to those who have served our countries in the armed forces, and selflessly protected our freedoms. When you watch hockey games this weekend, be it in the NHL or other leagues, here is a suggestion for how you can see how the service of hockey players to their countries directly changed the sport forever.
Did you know, for example, that the red line was put in during World War II? It was done to level the field due to the big disparity in ages, speed and skill of the available players due to the number of players who were serving in the military.
It all started with the Boston Bruins' "Kraut Line" of Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart. The three players, who all hailed from Kitchener, Ontario and were of German descent, enlisted together in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Others who served with great valor included Hec Kilrea, a three-time Stanley Cup winner during the 1920s and 1930. The late Mr. Kilrea, who became a U.S. citizen after his playing days. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, a Purple Heart and the French Croix de guerre for his service in World War II. Even earlier, the legendary Hobey Baker served with the 103rd and the 13th Aero Squadrons before being promoted to captain. He was named commander of the 141st Aero Squadron. Mr. Baker died in December 1918 after a plane he was test-piloting crashed, hours before he was due to leave France and return to the United States.
To all of these fine men and the many other men and women who have served our countries with such honor, I think I can speak on behalf of the hockey community in general in saying thank you.
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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.