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During my playing days in the WHA and NHL, let's just say that I wasn't too concerned about making travel plans for the All-Star Game. My job as an enforcer was to protect the All-Star caliber players on my teams and, to me, simply getting a few shifts in a game was living out my dream.
As a matter of fact, if I had been the subject of a ballot-box stuffing write-in campaign similar the ones that had veteran Vancouver Canucks depth defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick finish third in the balloting for defensemen and which currently has Arizona Coyotes enforcer (to the extent that role even exists anymore in today's game) John Scott leading all players in the Pacific Division, I would have been embarrassed and angry.
These capaigns are extremely disrespectful to the "honoree" -- they're being laughed at, not laughed with. Not everyone in this sport or in life is naturally gifted. Not everyone can be a star in their profession. The non-stars who painstakingly make it to the NHL need to possess a special kind of perserverence and dedication. That's NOT what is being recognized here. Rather, it's kind of like a picked-on kid in school being sent a secret-admirer Valentine in class as a prank.
I like the All-Star Game as much as the next person. They can be a fun event even if it's hardly great hockey. I got to referee the 1998 NHL All-Star Game in Vancouver, and that was a neat experience.
The modern-day All-Star game is all about entertainment and not about hockey. I get that. But, to me, showing respect for the game and its players still means something even when it's for an entertainment spectacle meant for the fans.
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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.