Former NHL official Paul Stewart is going to head the ECAC officials. I think this is a great move for the ECAC and I almost wish the WCHA would follow suit, I am sure fellow siouxsports.com reader/contributer Redwing_77 does as well, both of us are not fans of the current WCHA head of officials. One could say that I am jealous with envy. It should be no mystery that if I could change one thing in college hockey it would be the accoutability of the on ice officials.
For those that have watched NHL hockey know that Paul Stewart is a class act and a great hockey mind and is one of them most beloved officials ever in the NHL. It is the opinion of this blogger that NCAA Division 1 College hockey is a high profile sport and should have the very best personnel officiating the games. We should not accept any less as college hockey fans.
ALBANY, N.Y. — ECAC Hockey has again changed its Supervisor of Officials, but this time may have landed someone with staying power.
Paul Stewart, a one-time National Hockey League referee and former player at Penn, was named by the league.
"We are thrilled that Paul will join our League staff," said ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell. "His reputation and standing within the hockey community is incomparable, and his wealth of experience as a player and on-ice official at the highest levels of the sport provide tremendous leadership, knowledge and expertise that surely will enhance the League."
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Stewart competed in the ECAC for Penn from 1973-75 and then enjoyed a professional career that included the NHL and World Hockey Association (WHA). Stewart assumes the leadership role of an officiating staff that comprised more than 40 officials in 2006-07.
"The vitality and school spirit that hockey brings to our college campuses is electric. ECAC Hockey has long been known for its combination of athletic and academic excellence," Stewart said. "My role is to assist our staff, coaches, players, and administration in elevating the standards of officiating to even more consistent and higher levels of quality. It is a responsibility that I have prepared my entire life for. In being give this opportunity I add another spoke to a life in hockey for which I am honored to be a part."
I wish the WCHA had Stewart as head of the WCHA.
ReplyDeleteOf course you could take the average drunk gopher fan and do better than Greg Sheppard.