Paul Stewart former NHL Player and Referee Delivers the Punch at the All Star Banquet-Don't Quit

Stewart played in both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League. He played along side of such greats as Mark Messier, Bobby Hull and Gordie Howe.

After his playing days were finished, he had a lengthy career as an NHL referee.

Stewart is currently Div 1Men's League Supervisor of Officials for ECAC Hockey. Such as Harvard, Yale and Brown University.

The message he sent to the boys was “Use Hockey as a Vehicle to Reach Your Goal.” He remarked, “We all have dreams whether to go to college and/or reach the pros; playing this wonderful sport allows you to help navigate the journey.”

The second message taught to the boys was “don’t quit.” He gave an inspirational plea…  “No matter what the odds, no matter who discourages your dreams or dampens your fire, keep on track with unwavering perseverance, determination and focus.”

 He gave an example of his College coach during his junior year in college, telling him “he was through playing.” He was no longer needed on the team” He responded in kind... by working so hard getting in top conditioning and MAKING IT TO THE NHL THE FOLLOWING YEAR!

Mr. Stewart then explained in an emotional speech how his doctor delivered him devastating news just 2 days after his son was born that  “he had only 6 months to live.”  Well, you could have heard a pin drop in the room as Mr. Stewart explained how he said NO…I would fight the Cancer and so he did.  Now 12 years later he still alive and well.

He explained it is all about determination and will. Not giving up. He echoed how he played along side some of the games greatest players. How he too was in awe over these great players and how he was simply a journeyman. How did he belong…how did he win a spot….? The key ingredient was will, desire, determination, dedication and work ethic.

He said there are thousands of hockey players who are out there which you compete against and the odds seem so stacked up against you. But that is true in life. It is not that way simply in hockey. Those amongst us who out work the other guy, who are the most determined, who try and fail and try again and fail and keep trying and wont say no are those who make it.

As the Hockey Director of the Eels, this is the message I preach to all of our junior players and youth hockey players.  It is not about winning or loosing. You see in every game there is always going to be a winning team and a loosing team. The score does not judge the talent; rather it merely records simply the result of that game.

By the same token, there are always going to be players who score and don’t score; or goalies who get scored on or not. It is the player and teams who learn form their mistakes, who take the pain to train and come back the next day, the next week, or the next season. That is the beauty of hockey.

I continue to preach to my players…life is like this as well. Some of the most successful businessmen have failed before. Sometimes more than once. Indeed, USA Today’s owner had once said “you cannot be a successful businessmen unless you have gone bankrupt once.”

 The lesson being taught here to the boys is don’t be afraid to try and fail. Losing or failing is not the end-all but a process. I often say  “you learn twice as much from your losses than a win” If you have determination and will coupled with the work ethic you will succeed in life and hockey can be the vehicle to reach those dreams.