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When I was growing up in Massachusetts in the years before Bobby Orr came to the Bruins, indoor rinks like the Boston Arena and Boston Garden were venues that were largely reserved for pro and major collegiate hockey. Community skating venues were in the outdoors, and the hockey that kids played was largely of the frozen pond or backyard rink variety. The hours flew by in those games.
Many of my happiest memories are of outdoor skating and outdoor games. Public skating veterans know this drill quite well, I'm sure: everyone skating clockwise until the ice started to get too snowy and then everyone skating counter-clockwise.
To this very day, I can close my eyes and see my late father, Bill Stewart Jr., getting the garden hose out and flood the backyard rink. I will also say this: My 60X40 home rink is some of the best ice I ever skated on in my life.
As a lover of outdoor hockey, I have enjoyed the way various leagues in North America and in Europe have returned the game to its outdoor roots a few times a year. These events were not invented by or exclusive to the National Hockey League by any stretch of the imagination, but I find the Winter and Heritage Classic series to be a lot of fun.
A few years ago, I refereed the AT&T Bruins Legends Classic game at Fenway Park the day after the 2010 Winter Classic between the Bruins and Flyers. I had a blast.
When we first took the ice, I noticed that linesman Don Garcia had neglected to wear gloves. I looked at him disapprovingly.
"Rookie!" I said, shaking my head.
During a stoppage of play in the Legends game, there were a couple players on Team Gold and Team Black casually talking about one of the college football bowl games they had watched on New Year's. I got a chuckle from the others nearby when I threatened to dispatch them on minor penalties for wrongsportsmanlike conduct.
Photo from Misconmike's Flickr page
At any rate, the Winter Classic and similar events are great fun to be part of or to watch for the spectacle. From the sidelines and stands, the sightlines aren't real good for hockey, especially in stadiums built for baseball but the atmosphere is tremendous.
In yesterday's Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, I think that referees Dan O'Halloran and Brian Pochmara and linesmen Scott Driscoll and Mark Shewchyk has as much fun as any of the participating players, coaches and the 105,491 fans in the Big House. The conditions were bone-chilling and there was snow falling, and it was perfect for the event.
It also showed why the game is typically played indoors, especially that first period! But as everyone adjusted to the conditions, the caliber of play picked up. For instance, anyone watching the game -- regardless of whether they had a rooting interest or not -- had to marvel at the abilities of Pavel Datsyuk. He can do things with the puck that even few other NHL players can do, and to handle the puck the way he did on the outdoor ice with tough conditions was no small feat.
The first goal scored in yesterday's game was one that went on off the skate of Detroit's Daniel Alfredsson as he went to the net. There was no question that, under today's rules, it was a good goal and the right decision was made to allow it.
In tomorrow's blog, I will discuss the topic of pucks that go in off skates. We'll look at the evolution of the rules in this regard and I'll weigh in on the "distinct kicking motion" debates that ensue under today's rules.
Also, tomorrow night I will be a guest on Dan Rea's "Nightside" radio show on WBZ1030 News Radio Show on Boston's CBS Radio affiliate. I'll post the link to listen live tomorrow.
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Recent Blogs by Paul Stewart
New Years, Broken Whistles and the Ol' Goal-in-the-Pants Trick
From Body by Dunkin' to Body by Smitty
The Red Line, O'Rourke Injury and the Two-Ref System
A Christmas Blog
Romeo and that Fox-y Glow
On Wilson, Kamikaze Attacks and Red Herrings
Working With Injury
Coach Accountability and the Engelland Incident
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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 only 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, while also maintaining 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.
Stewart is currently working with a co-author on an autobiography.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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