Paul Stewart: Make the Right Call: My Journey from Enforcer to Referee

you guys are wimps. afraid to take Stewy to task, eh?

Awesome having you here! You are the only ref I ever actually liked with the exception of one of my best buddies who got as high as ECHL for a couple of games.

I couldn't agree more about having the names on the ref's backs. I believe it added to the uniqueness of hockey and made it for fun for the fans. Sure, the heckling would be more personal, but from what I saw in 20+ years of having Flyers season tix, 95% of it was in good fun and made the game more enjoyable. Personally, I can't remember a time where I thought the ref was trying to be "the show"

you guys are wimps. afraid to take Stewy to task, eh?
- Eklund

It's only the first day EK...We dont want to scare him away...



Interesting read Stewart....Welcome to Hbuzz.....

Paul Stewart: Make the Right Call: My Journey from Enforcer to Referee
- Paul Stewart

Aware of any video with the fan incident?

Welcome aboard, Stewey! I still haven't forgiven you for calling an interference penalty on Mikael Renberg on the play where he got kicked in the face by Randy Cunneyworth's skate, and had to get over 200 stitches in the aftermath .

Great idea to have a Referee's point of view on issues in the NHL. Ref's see the game from a (hopefully) unbiased viewpoint, where us fans do not.

Hi Paul. Welcome to Hockeybuzz!! EXCELLENT read this morning! Easily one of the most interesting blogs I have read here in some time. I'm looking forward to reading your insights every week. Should be fun. Take care. Oh yeah...I definitely miss your refereeing! You were a great ref.

you guys are wimps. afraid to take Stewy to task, eh?
- Eklund

Good job Ek, site is really going in the right direction.

Great idea to have a Referee's point of view on issues in the NHL. Ref's see the game from a (hopefully) unbiased viewpoint, where us fans do not.
- wehttam

Kerry Fraser's view on TSN was one of the greatest things I've seen added to sports writting in the past bunch of year. I'm going to really enjoy Paul's articles.

I also love Jason Strudwick and Brian Sutherby on the Oilers site so I'm also looking forward to Brad Marsh's work. And that's even though he once wore that stupid jersey a few hours south of us

You were a terrible referee.

It was always about you. I was thrilled when you retired.

Stay retired.

Welcome to the team Stewy! Looking forward to your upcoming blogs...good read to start things off!

Welcome Paul!

I have a question. If you were still a referee in the NHL how would you handle to new jersey tuck rule?

Welcome to the team Stewy! Looking forward to your upcoming blogs...good read to start things off!
- Colin Dambrauskas

You, French and Yost have some work to do if you want to stay in my top 3 fav bloggers here.

Great to see you on this site, Paul! Welcome! I think this is a fantastic idea, getting insights about the game from a former official. They see the game in a much different way and, as you demonstrated in this first blog entry, have knowledge of behind-the-scenes tidbits that most others would not be privy to. You were always a no-nonsense referee that always seemed to respect the players, coaches, and the game itself. I appreciate the fact that, in this blog, you continue to not hold any punches, speak honestly, and offer your genuine opinions without concern about ruffling feathers.

You were a terrible referee.

It was always about you. I was thrilled when you retired.

Stay retired.
- bcallaway

How is Tim Peel still allowed to ref NHL games??????????????

Welcome Paul!

I have a question. If you were still a referee in the NHL how would you handle to new jersey tuck rule?
- Jeffmt

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. i'm not used to that hahaha.

Tuck rule is a dumb one. would handle it but not gladly if it came up. Here's a question I've got: whens the last time you saw a stick measurement in a game?

You were a terrible referee.
- bcallaway

You shoulda seen me play pal.

You shoulda seen me play pal.
- Paul Stewart

You shoulda seen me play pal.
- Paul Stewart

You shoulda seen me play pal.
- Paul Stewart

Do you even remember playing for the Oilers?

And please tell me the Dusters dropped them more often than not.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. i'm not used to that hahaha.

Tuck rule is a dumb one. would handle it but not gladly if it came up. Here's a question I've got: whens the last time you saw a stick measurement in a game?
- Paul Stewart

I think it was Mcsorley in the 1993 finals for me...
and I watch a lot of hockey.

some rules are just there and not really enforced...

welcome to HB Paul, I remember seeing a lot of games you ref'd.
you were certainly not a boring referee on the ice, and very
easily recognizable... you weren't scared of the BS, and very fair.

Do you even remember playing for the Oilers?

And please tell me the Dusters dropped them more often than not.
- Lahey

Barely a cup of coffee with oilers. we had a pretty good team in Binghamton. Ken Holland (now detroit GM) was our goalie.