I am on my way to participate in the annual Ice Hockey in Harlem golf fundraiser and auction. This is a cause that is worthy of support. Anytime we can provide access to our sport to inner city and otherwise underprivileged children who otherwise would never have the chance to participate, it isn't only the kids themselves who benefit. As a sport and as a society, we are enriched.
The progress has been incredible but it all starts with access to the game, and that's what a program like Hockey in Harlem is all about. Hockey has been a steady part of our lives and now with kids from Ice Hockey in Harlem, we are helping raise money to pass the torch. The progam has 11 kids this year -- now seniors in high school -- who are headed to college. That's tremendous, and worthy of our support.
We have a lot of good people participating this year: Eddie Mio, Graeme Townsend, John Ogrodnick,Darren Banks, Jeff Beukeboom, Kerry Fraser, Team USA women's hockey goalie Brianne McLaughlin and many others. I will don my auctioneer hat -- well, a Russian chapka -- and do the auction.
For the auction, I also signed and framed three pictures of myself for donation -- one as a New York Ranger (fighting the Flyers' Steve Short), one as a Quebec Nordique (fighting the Boston Bruins' Terry O'Reilly) and a trilogy of pictures as a referee. I have a feeling the most coveted item will be one of the winning goal at the 1987 Canada Cup, autographed by both Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. There's also some young ref in the picture, perfectly positioned behind the net, giving the goal signal.
For more information or to make a donation to Ice Hockey in Harlem, click here.
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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 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) at both the Division 1 and Division 3 levels.
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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