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Earlier this week, I took part in an officiating symposium in Calgary. There was much food for thought and exchange of ideas at the event. I enjoyed it.
While in Calgary, I had opportunity to meet with longtime NHL linesman Don Henderson. For 22 years and more than 1,300 games, the Calgary native has just gone about his business of officiating. I worked with him myself and can attest to the fact that he's a valuable team member whose only focus is on making the right call; a true pro.
I feel horribly for Don, who is out for the rest of the 2015-16 season with a concussion suffered as the innocent victim in the inexcusable knockdown by Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman. Don has handled it well -- like a professional, which is more than I can say for Mr. Wideman.
At the time the incident, I felt that it fell in the category of a 10-game suspension. When Gary Bettman upgraded the suspension to 20 games, it was likely done with the suspicion that Wideman would appeal to an independent arbitrator and there was a good chance to suspension would be cut in half to a 10-gamer based on precedent and the current dictates of the NHL Rule Book. Wideman was going to appeal it anyway, so it was a case of setting the punishment bar higher to make sure he didn't get less than 10 games.
I spoke my piece on the Wideman incident in two previous blogs. However, my opinion on the case changed when the disgusting text messages Wideman distributed to fellow players became public. It showed an absolute lack of remorse (his apology, which at first I believed to be sincere, turned out to be disingenuous). He tried to paint himself as the victim rather than the unsuspecting official whom he knocked down and concussed.
Invasion of privacy? Maybe, but my mother once gave me a piece of good advice: Don't put anything in writing -- "privately" or otherwise -- that you wouldn't want read aloud in public.
At any rate, getting back to Don Henderson, I am dismayed that amid all of attention paid to the punishment, appeal and suspension reduction that Wideman got, there has been very little expression of concern for Don. If there was ever a clearer indication that officials need to have their brethren's backs because no one else will, I'd be hard pressed to find it.
Whenever I think there's nothing left that can surprise me, and I'm immune to getting upset over the idiocy of some people, I just have to spend a few minutes looking at comments of the minority -- tiny by percentage, huge by numbers -- who turn social media, message boards and other forms of mass public discourse from a healthy outlet into a cesspool.
We live in such a crazy world nowadays, where the victims become the suspects and the guilty become the victims. At least Gary Bettman had the foresight in this case to do the right thing and make sure Wideman got at least 10 games if the 20-game punishment wouldn't stand up to arbitration.
Anyone who truly thinks that Don Henderson is "faking" a concussion, or "milking" his situation -- or who celebrated Wideman's reduced suspension -- knows zero about Don and his character. My personal response to those folks would be unprintable. So I will just give firsthand testimony that Don is someone I'd want to go to battle with on my side, anytime and anywhere. He's a tough guy and an honorable one.
Back in my playing days, I played against Don's older brother, Archie Henderson. Archie was one of the most intimidating tough guys of all-time, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing upwards of 220 pounds. He once went toe-to-toe with a young Bob Probert in an epic AHL fight.
Actually, Archie indirectly played a part in my own career story. Willie Trognitz was signed to the WHA's Cincinnati Stingers after being banned for life in the IHL following an incident where he swung his stick at Archie's head. The Stingers then signed Trognitz. He didn't pan out and the Stingers brought me as as their enforcer instead. Jacques Demers to a liking to me. I settled in with Cincy and Jacques later brought me to the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques.
At any rate, the Henderson brothers -- Don as well as Archie -- are true examples of "Calgary tough." Before seeking an officiating career, Don was a rugged left winger in the Western Hockey League, most notably with Spokane.
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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 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.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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