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On this week that marks Canada Day for our neighbors to the north and Independence Day in the United States, I thought it as an appropriate time to talk about a subject that is near and dear to my heart: the importance of hockey people showing respect both to our own nation and to others.

One of my favorite parts of any hockey game takes place before the opening faceoff is even dropped. I'm talking, of course, about when the players and officials line up and the national anthem is played. Sometimes it is multiple anthems, such as when a Canada-based NHL team plays against a team based in the United States.

This is a time for honoring -- or as our Canadian friends would spell it, honouring -- the freedoms that have come at a very high cost. It's an opportunity to take a minute of perspective on what really matters before we play a game. No matter how "important" the match is, it really is only a game. There will be another one tomorrow and a new season to follow after that.

During my active career, and even off the ice, I always enjoyed signing along with the American and Canadian anthems.

Back in my school days, I was a lead tenor with Glee Club and Choir for my teacher, the late Edward B. Gammons (father of legendary baseball journalist Peter) for 5 years at Groton School: a nice Irish Catholic boy lustily belting out those Episcopalian songs. I also sang lead soprano for St. Thomas Aquinas Choir in JP as a sixth-, seventh- and eighth grader.

Ah, many hats, many passions. I may not have been much of a hockey player or referee, at least according to my critics. So I may have missed my true calling in life: following the tradition of the great Irish tenors to fame and fortune in a realm where strained vocal chords and not knocked-out teeth are a common job hazard.

At any rate, in all seriousness, it bothers me when I see players or officials act like restless five-year-olds when the anthems play. Don't stand there cracking gum. Don't shuffle your feet. Don't start skating away before it's over. Show respect.

There is also a filter-down effect from the pro level to the junior and minor hockey levels. Kids emulate what they see the pros do. When the pros act bored or disrespectful during the anthem, those at lower levels copy that behavior. When the pros act courteously and, well, professionally, that is what gets emulated.

This does not just apply to games in North America. I feel the same about the anthem in whatever country the game takes place.

As a matter of fact, as part of a plan for next season that I spelled out to my bosses in Russia, I included an expectation for proper professionalism and respect shown during pre-game anthem time in the KHL and MHL. The same expectation could also be applied in Sweden's SHL, Finland's SM-liiga, Switzerland's National League, the Czech or Slovakian Extraliga or wherever.

To me, this should just be common sense. Whether you agree or disagree with a nation's politics or political leaders and no matter how anxious you may be to get a game underway, be respectful when the sport you love brings you to that country.

On a related note, I am still in Russia but headed shortly to Finland. It's the hockey life and I am grateful for it. When I see a flag, I think of the people I've gotten to know and the times I've had in those places. I think of the history and those who've shaped it. The politicians come and go and the times change for the better and for the worse. I believe that we all should study history and learn from it.

Ultimately, what I've learned from traveling all over the world is that cultures and customs may be different but, fundamentally, people are people and hockey is hockey. By honoring our own countries and showing appropriate respect when we are guests in other countries, we bring honor on ourselves. Respecting the national anthem is both a simple gestures and a reasonable expectation.

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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.