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The other day, someone asked me what I thought of the NHL's educational video about how the Department of Player Safety gathers information about on-ice incidents for review and the steps involved in supplementary discipline. I had not been aware of the video's existence, but was already familiar with their process. Incident reviews and discipline matters are areas that I'm deeply involved with in both the ECAC and KHL.

I watched the NHL video with interest. I applaud them for trying to make their process a little less opaque to the public. I will give my observations momentarily, but for the benefit of those who have not seen the video, here it is:



For the most part, I think the video is pretty straightforward and informational. There was some interesting data presented, such as the fact that, last season, the League reviewed approximately 900 incidents and held 44 hearings. Of the 44 hearings, 42 resulted in supplemental discipline being taken while two cases ended with no further discipline being enacted.

I know from a lot of personal experience how much video review and information-gathering is involved each season that the public -- and the teams -- are not aware of unless there's a league determination that further supplemental discipline steps are merited. The NHL's data in the video shows how big the scope of the job is, especially in a 30-team league.

When it comes to the job of determining supplemental discipline, receiving criticism is part of the territory. No matter the ruling, some folks will say the soup is too salty (i.e., the punishment was excessive), some will say its too bland (i.e., the punishment didn't go far enough) and some will say it's just right.

In most cases, I can grasp the rationale for a final ruling even if I disagree with it. However, I have two very specific objections to issues about the NHL's process itself that were (understandably) left unsaid in the video.

According to the video, Player Safety Department head Stephane Quintal emails video clips to the entire Department of Player Safety "as well as certain individuals in the Hockey Operations Department, seeking their views on the severity of the infraction." Each one responds individually directly to Quintal.

Supposedly, no one opinion carries more weight than another. No if you think the head of Hockey Ops' opinion doesn't carry at least as much weight as that of Quintal himself -- even though the latter formally conducts the hearings -- I've got a bridge to sell you cheap.

Here's the truth: The Hockey Operations Department is still run under the leadership of Colin Campbell. In the past, he used to formally be in charge of supplementary discipline. More recently, since the creation of the Department of Player Safety, he basically pulls the strings behind the scenes.

Some of you may not believe this, but I really do try to take the high road and not lower myself to Campbell's level when I have to discuss him. I restrain some of my angrier emotions whenever his name is brought up.

Contrary to what some folks think, I don't actively seek opportunities to bash Campbell. I'd rather not talk about him at all, because it would be better for my health. However, when issues related to NHL hierarchy, rules, officiating and discipline come up, it is hard to keep Campbell's name out of it. He has a finger in every pie.

We don't have to be friends. There are plenty of people around the game whom I may not like personally but view with strong professional respect -- and the feeling is mutual. They may not like my strong personality but they respect my knowledge, experience and mental toughness.

I cannot pretend that I find the NHL's chosen head of Hockey Ops to be deserving of professional respect. I find him to be severely lacking in the foresight, knowledge, judgment, and integrity that his lofty position should entail. He has been petty and vindictive in the use of his powers (see Dean Warren and others), and repeatedly guilty of horrendous judgments where he seems to be flying by the seat of his pants.

To this day, Soupy remains downright ignorant and contemptuous of on-ice officials. He has played a key role in turning the NHL Rule Book and in-game goal reviews into a convoluted mess.

Second, point: The video goes on to say "the group involved in the process has over 10,000 games of playing and coaching experience at the NHL level." That's all well and good. There are some very astute and seasoned hockey people involved.

I do, however, have a question since the video bragged about the demographics. How many games of on-ice officiating at the NHL level are represented in the supplemental discipline process? Zero, and that's a big part of the problem.

Campbell detests and mistrusts officials, yet he's their de facto boss. Just as the Player Safety Department is basically under Hockey Operations' thumb so, too, is the officiating department.

As directed by Campbell, Hockey Ops doesn't want NHL officials to have voices, brains and guts. From the top on down, Soupy wants the officiating folks to be obedient lapdogs to do his bidding with no push-back. He is quick to throw officials under the bus and slow to endeavor to find genuine ways to improve the officiating.

The NHL keeps officials away from the table in creating and revising rules in a logical way and also doesn't want people with officiating expertise and years of experience involved in matters of supplemental discipline. The buck stops with the head of Hockey Ops for that policy. If he wanted an experienced former official or two involved in the decision-making process, they would be.

Apart from the automatic suspension gradations for cases of abuse of an official -- which are laid out in the NHL Rule Book to be determined by the on-ice official, and can be adjusted up or down only by the Commissioner -- the NHL has total discretion. They've made it clear that even people with decades of officiating experience aren't valued enough to weigh in on supplemental review process.

Well, it's their league to run as they see fit. They are going to do what they want.

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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 an officiating and league discipline consultant for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and serves as director of hockey officiating for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (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.

In addition to his blogs for HockeyBuzz every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Stewart writes a column every Wednesday for the Huffington Post.