Paul Stewart: Officiating Without Fear

Outstanding as usual.

Good mindset helps the game. Nice read Stewy. You brought a better thinking to the other side of the game. Keep it up.

Paul Stewart: Officiating Without Fear
- Paul Stewart

OGILTHORPE?!?!?

Paul, I work soccer (at HS and college level) and also basketball (at the HS level). I appreciate reading your viewpoint as an official. It is so interesting how my viewpoint on officiating has changed since I started wearing the stripes (almost 12 years ago now). I can tell you that as a Pens fan, I probably was among the many ready to skewer you back in 1995...

What are your thoughts on the NHL taking names off of the officials uniforms several years ago? When I was a kid during the late 80's and 90's, watching the Pens play at the Igloo, I remember the names of the officials were on the back of the sweater, and that gave a unique familiarity between the fans and the refs. We knew each of the officials and ultimately, those of us who were season ticket holders (my dad was) knew pretty much what type of game an official was going to call that night. It is not that way anymore, as with the numbers, officials are not easily as recognized...

I remember an interaction I had with an official. In 1993, Game 7 against the Islanders, Kevin Stevens got knocked out by a hit from Rich Pilon. From my spot on the glass, I swore Pilon elbowed Stevens, and gave the elbowing signal to Andy Van Hellemond, who was on the game that night. He looked right at me, shook his head, and pointed at/tapped his shoulder. Upon reviewing replays later on, it turned out he was right....

I agree 100% on your blog today, if you are afraid to make the right call, you actually end up altering the game by not making a call at all, a complaint (as a fan) I have had with many NHL officials over the years. As A rules interpreter, I will be sharing this blog with my fellow officials. Even though it is about hockey, it can easily be applied to any sport from an officials point of view.

Paul Stewart: Officiating Without Fear
- Paul Stewart

Paul, please do road-shows with youth hockey officials... far far too many of which referee with a strange cross or mix of the fear you refer to disguised under a very thin veneer of bravado. Largely - I believe because they have read the rule book - but never played the game.

The countless number of youth games that I have seen or been involved in have clearly shown me that kids are being turned off of the sport - simply because the officials don't "feel the game" - because they have no frame of reference.

FYI.. thank you... met you a few years back when my sons were travelling with me through the airport in Toronto... they were thrilled to meet you - and you took time to talk to them... thanks for being one of the good guys.