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Dear Pierre Lambert |
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Andrew Saadalla
 Montreal Canadiens Blogger •French Canadiens Writer • RSS
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Dear Pierre Lambert,
I hope this finds you well.
I’ve tried to find ways to reach out to you and congratulate you for being hired as a referee by the National Hockey League, but you seem to have disappeared from social media and I can’t say that I blame you!
I wanted to take the time to write you a letter (of sorts) to express my utmost admiration for achieving your dreams. I know the road was long as well as winding, and I’m certain there were Great-Wall-of-China-like obstacles all along the way that you had to surmount in order to get to where you are today.
What pushed me to write to you is that I recall a conversation you and I had almost 10 years ago while we were working for Sports Gilbert Rousseau (Pro Hockey Life) in Saint-Hubert, QC. We were both local boys from the South Shore of Montreal with a lot of ambition and we did not necessarily see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. Nevertheless, we respected each other as well as our opinions, and I’ll never forget what you said to me so long ago.
You asked me what my major was in university and what I had hoped to become once my academic career came to a halt. I remember talking about entrepreneurship and law, not wholly convinced of how my life would turn out. I danced around the question and gave you a few answers without diving into any specifics before shooting the issue right back at you.
“Me?” you asked. “I’m going to be a referee in the NHL”, you so confidently and immediately responded.
“Good luck!” I replied, as I had no idea what it took for someone to become a ref in the big leagues, let alone junior-level hockey.
We talked at length about your passion and knowledge of the game and how incredibly difficult it is to make split-second decisions on the fly. I interrogated you with regards to certain hand motions refs use to signal infractions, and I remember how much heart you put into demonstrating nearly every single gesture for nearly every single possible action in which the officials are involved. I was mesmerized by how much a single person could be so in love with something that, at the time, felt so trivial and insignificant to me.
And now, look at you. You did it. Three years for the QMJHL, a few ECHL Kelly Cup finals, and two years of AHL officiating later, you’ve made your dreams come true.
You were absolutely sure that you were going to make it and you’re the perfect example of the hard work and perseverance required to turn one’s dreams into reality. Even if you’re younger than I am, I look up and tip my hat to you.
From the bottom of my heart, congratulations Pierre! Way to make all Quebecers proud of homegrown talent, and way to stay true to your word and go after exactly what it is you desired.
You’re an inspiration.
Just remember: the crowds might not always agree with your decisions. In fact, they won’t shy away from letting you know. Players will also emotionally get in your face, and you’re going to make honest mistakes as an honest human being.
Don’t let that kind of noise get to you and make you second-guess yourself, even if for a single moment.
All the best to you on what’s bound to be an illustrious career in the youth movement of NHL referees, and I’ll be looking forward to seeing your name pop up on TV,
Andrew S.
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