Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
There have been a lot of folks chortling over NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus' revelation that he has asked both the NHL and the NHLPA to put an end to the practice of players growing beards during the playoffs. Lazarus says that, from his perspective, it hurts the marketability of the players.
Folks have lined up to ridicule Lazarus, but I will not be among them. I actually happen to agree with him, although perhaps for slightly different reasons.
To me, it's a matter of professionalism. When one is a pro, he should look the part in his appearance. Even back when I was playing -- and this was mostly in the 1970s, where wild hair and thick mustaches and horrifying clothing were as widespread around hockey as anywhere else -- I thought players and coaches should maintain a neat and professional appearance.
Yes, I owned my share of bad duds (trendy at the time) but I always admired the way that Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson expected his players to keep their hair within a certain length and their faces clean shaven. Likewise, in later days, I have admired the standards that Lou Lamoriello established and upheld for the New Jersey Devils. Again, it's all about professionalism and respect. I want my officials to upkeep the same standards.
One other thing: The playoff beard "tradition" is not the longstanding staple of hockey that it often gets romanticized to be. Look at vintage photos of teams celebrating with the Cup. The players were clean-shaven. Were they any less focused or single mindedly devoted to the task of winning the Cup? Of course not.
The Islanders of the early 1980s, to some extent, grew playoff beards but it didn't really become a leaguewide thing until a little bit later. Even after it became commonplace, did anyone think less of the handful of players who eschewed the beards? If so, was it "cheating" to grow a neatly groomed goatee or does that count the same as the caveman look? Frankly, who cares? It has nothing to do with hockey.
In the grand scheme of things, playoff beards are not a scourge on the game or society. It's not a travesty or something the NHL needs to concern itself with rigidly trying to control. But it symptomatic of a gradual societal slide in expectations of what being a professional entails.
**********
Attention current and aspiring Officials who have an interest in being coached, observed, evaluated, and guided properly. I am conducting an officiating camp and tryout for ECAC Div. I and III, ISP Prep., Chowder Cups, and Rodman Arena games. We will assist you in becoming the best Official you can be, both on and off the ice, so you can make the “RIGHT CALL…!
The camp will be held on Saturday, June 20 at Rodman Arena in Walpole, MA. We will have both classroom and on-ice instruction. Beginners are welcome, too. The camp is open to ages 12 and up.
Saturday June 20, 2015 Schedule:
ï‚· Registration 2 p.m. ï‚· On Ice session 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ï‚· Classroom session 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Equipment needed: Please bring skates, helmet, whistle, water bottle, sweat suit, and a notebook or your Officiating equipment.
Cost: $50.00
Register online at Officiating by Stewart.
*********
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 is an officiating and league discipline consultant for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and 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.