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Here are some Boston Garden and NHL Officiating friends out for dinner over the holiday weekend at Papa Razzi in Framingham, MA.
From the left, Chuck Napoli, Video Goal Judge...Arthur Katz, TV Coordinator for visiting team TV, Kevin Collins, Linesman extraordinaire, Nate Greenberg, Everyone in Hockey's friend, former writer and former VP of Public Relations and Special Assistant to Harry Sinden, Chris"Chicka" Rooney, a South Boston native and current NHL referee recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon, a certain former NHL referee and WHA/NHL policeman who shall remain nameless, plus Brian Murphy, the prolific NHL Linesman and former "Bob's Big Boy" vittles champion and Mike Noeth, a former roomie as well as a retired NHL Referee and current ECAC Supervisor.
Nate said it best at the conclusion of our dinner.
"I don't think we miss the games as much as we miss seeing the people in the game," he said.
I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment. As much as I loved -- and still love -- being on the ice, it's the people and the times you share that make the lasting memories.
For instance, a few months before John's death, I was assigned to work three games in the Montreal Canadiens vs. Hartford Whalers playoff series. Now, I would have to really rack my brains to recall the specifics of those particular games -- other than that the Habs swept the series but most of the games were close and, I believe, a couple went to overtime -- but I have crystal clear memories of coming to the rink for Game 2 in Montreal.
I was feeling mighty good that day. It was a beautiful spring day in la belle province on that April 6, and I felt on top of the world. I dressed up in a handsomely tailored new sport jacket and strolled out of my hotel on Sherbrooke Street, feeling suave and debonair. I headed to Rue Ste. Catherine, where I stopped to watch a street performer do a juggling act and pondered which night spot I would wear my slick duds for dinner with my officiating teammates after the game.
Ah, the glamorous life of a bon viveur, n'est-ce pas? Well, not quite.
Acting in solidarity with every hockey fan, coach, player and League official who told me that I was excrement as both a referee and player, a seagull flew over head and machine gunned me. I got, um, splashed on my head and all over my new jacket.
As I arrived at the Forum, everyone was doubled over with laughter, especially my officiating brethren.
"Well, look on the bright side, Stewy," one my linesmen said. "They say it's good luck."
"Yeah," I retorted. "Good luck finding a dry cleaner before game time."
After the game, I showered and left the arena in my decorated suit, with my officiating brothers guffawing anew over my bit of "good luck." The glamorous life, indeed.
You know what else? I wouldn't have traded it for the world.
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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 is the director of officiating for the ECAC. He has been with the ECAC since 2007.