Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
Thank to SoFloRadio and Silverman on Sports for having me as a guest on the show yesterday evening. I have always enjoyed talking -- usually an amiable and anecdote-filled chat and every once in a while a lively point-counterpoint debate -- about hockey and the issues surrounding our sport today.
I do a few dozen such appearances per year, and they are usually great experiences. In some cases, the host is an old friend, such as Dan Rea of Nightside on Boston's WBZ radio or Jimmy Murphy, but it is also great to make new friends such as Liam Maguire of Rogers 1310AM in Ottawa. Going forward, whenever possible, I will post rebroadcasts of my radio spots here at HockeyBuzz.
Not many folks know -- and those who did know may have forgotten -- that I spent some time in early 1980s as the host of a radio show based out of Cape Cod. The period of my life between the end of my playing days and the start of my officiating career was a low point in my life, but I had a blast doing the radio show.
During the summer of 1980, I worked part-time at the station. Management offered me a permanent gig, which I temporarily delayed while attending the Buffalo Sabres' training camp as a tryout player. The Sabres offered me a contract to continue my NHL career but I declined it and decided to take the radio job instead in an attempt to save my failing first marriage.
The show developed a loyal following, and management was pleased with the ratings. I had an easier time than most local hosts of lining up prominent guests because I rolodex filled with contacts from my years as a professional hockey player.
For example, during my time playing for the World Hockey Association's Cincinnati Stingers, I struck up a friendship with Pete Rose, Sparky Anderson and others associated with the Reds. Rose, whom I have lost contact with over the years, but still feel compassion for despite his well-documented self-inflicted trevails, graciously agreed to appear on my show just a few days after he and the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals for Philadelphia's first World Series championship in franchise history.
Other non-hockey shows I remember had as guests the likes of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, long-distance runner Johnny Kelley (who ran the Boston Marathon a record 61 times and won twice), heavyweight boxing champ Joe Frazier, middleweight boxing champ Marvelous Marvin Hagler, boxing trainer/manager Goody Petronelli, and Hall of Fame baseball star Joe Cronin.
Ultimately, the hour-long program ran three times a week. However, the investment of preparation time relative to amount of money I made proved to be unworkable. I was forced to find additional work and, eventually, no longer had the proper time to devote to my show.
Things really have not changed all that much over the years for most radio show hosts, except the syndicated ones or the guys at the top of the ratings in major markets. They pour in a lot of hours because it's a labor of love, but they hardly get rich off the gig. Neverthless, there are many intrinsic rewards at the end of the show when you know it's been a job well done and the enthusiasm carries over to the listening audience.
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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.