Two years ago, the nationally syndicated NPR show "Only a Game" devoted a segment to the story of how I received my first-ever pair of hockey skates as a childhood Christmas gift from my father. It was sort of my personal version the holiday classic "A Christmas Story", except set in Boston rather than Indiana.
Last year, my 9-year-old buddy Matthew Sherman, wrote a children's book, with an assist from illustrator Chloe Mako, entitled "A Magical Christmas for Paul Stewart." I was moved by the gesture. Matthew was a special guest at my United States Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony last year.
Two quick, related stories about how things come full circle in life.
On the same night that my dad died, I refereed an NHL game in Edmonton. I disallowed a Wayne Gretzky goal on what would have been his sixth goal of the night, tying Red Berenson's NHL record for goals in a single game. Wayne, who knew my dad (and had apparently already found out about his passing several hours before I was informed), didn't utter a word of protest. Last year, Red was a fellow USHHOF inductee. He cut his speech three minutes short of his allotted time limit so I'd have more time for my speech. (Yes, I still went over my allotted time, anyway. Oh, well.)
On the same night as the USHHOF ceremony, Matthew confidently walked up to Gary Bettman, shook his hand and exchanged a high-five. Then Matty tried to sell the NHL commissioner a copy of his "Magical Christmas" book!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Stewarts: Paul, McCauley, Max and Lori.
A 2018 inductee into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, 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.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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