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Congrats to Kevin Collins for US HHOF Selection |
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Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame made the right call in selecting longtime NHL linesman Kevin Collins in its induction class of 2017. He was one of the best NHL linesmen for many, many years.
Kevin's brother, Brian, assisted me early in my officiating career. Kevin was one of the best officials I've ever worked with, and belongs in the "BIG" Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto but the U.S. Hall is a good start and a prestigious honor in its own right.
Kevin is a friend and someone whom I hold in the highest of esteem and respect. He's a good man. We are both passionate about hockey and strong-willed by nature, We did have our clashes a few times but it was always because, above all, we wanted the right call to be made. Kevin always hustled, had good hockey sense and judgement and was innately tough. Kevin played in Johnstown of the NAHL the year that Ned Dowd while playing took notes and eventually penned "Slapshot" which is now the cult Paul Newman Hockey Movie.
One time Kevin and I was working a game in Boston together. Kevin tossed the Bruins center out of the faceoff circle on an offensive zone draw. What he couldn't see, because he had his back to the wingers nearest the boards, was that a player on the other team was coming into the circle early. I could see it from my position.
I put up my hand and skated toward Collins. He waved me off.
"I got it, Stew," he said, annoyed.
"No," I shot back. "You didn't see what happened. That guy was coming into the circle."
"This is my faceoff," Collins said. "We gotta toss him."
I responded, "You can't, Kevin! It's the wrong call."
Staring daggers at me, Kevin reversed his decision. When the horn sounded to end the period, he was still fuming.
When we got back to the officials' room, Kevin got in my face, dropping a bombs at me. He believed I had shown him up and undermined him in front of the players, coaches and fans. I cursed right back at him. As the hollering escalated between we two very opinionated guys,there we were, standing our ground and not giving an inch, Kevin and I could have settled it the old-fashioned hockey way right then and there. Cooler head prevailed with each of still convinced that the other was not right. Passion for the Right Call did not end up this time in a physical altercation. After all, we were and are still teammates.
In the hours after the game and after a beer or two, Kevin and I moved along. The heated argument was forgotten about. That sort of dynamic tension and ability to let bygones be begones is important on any team. Kevin was a great teammate.
As for myself, I have no pretensions that I will ever get into the "BIG" Hall in Toronto. As for the US Hall....Well, It has crossed my mind but I am not thinking of that as I go about my life.
My record speaks for itself. My way of becoming a Player and Official, my style of Officiating and Playing was necessary to stay in the game when as a minority American, I was not always welcome with open arms. I was, as McCauley and Morrison instructed me to be, MYSELF on the ice. No pretensions and no faking it...I am a street kid from Dorchester, MA who took my feel for the players game onto the ice every time I suited up. I was never intimidated nor did I care who won or lost. I gave each game my 100% and that is what I stand on now.
My late grandfather, Bill Stewart Sr., is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame but is not in the "BIG Hall" despite qualifications that far exceed many others as an Official and as a coach. My grandfather was both a referee and coach in the NHL which is not something that many could say especially many Americans.
Despite his overwhelming credentials to be inducted as either a builder or as an official, the "BIG" Hockey Hall of Fame doors have never opened for Bill Stewart. Even with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, the honor did not come until 1982; some 18 years after he passed away.
The Toronto Hall of Fame and Museum has a referee sweater from my grandfather's NHL days, his skates, rule books and his Blackhawks contract in its collection. My dad donated them when Scotty Morrison ran the Hall, just before my dad passed. Their collection also includes a sweater from my own playing days and a referee sweater, puck and whistle from my 1,000th game as an NHL official.
I respect the US Hall of Fame. I am honored to say that I know many of those enshrined in their Hallowed Hall in Eveleth, MN. Enshrinement for me in any Hall was not my reason for striving to be a player and a Referee in Amateur, College or Pro Hockey. I just loved the game. I had a dream that I would not surrender. I am honored to still be a part of the game with a legacy of having been on the ice for those many years.
The U.S. Hall will eventually acquire memorabilia from me for their collection after I am gone. My end is closer than my beginning BUT I am not going anywhere yet!!!!
The US Hall already has one of the referee sweaters that I wore, a whistle and a puck from my 1,000th game. They also have my painting that the NHLOA commissioned and presented to me after my retirement.
I am in the Massachusetts Hall of Fame, the Groton School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Binghamton, NY Hall of Fame. To have been chosen for those distinctions and joining those people that are in those Halls, I am extremely humble
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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 ECAC.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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