Paul Stewart

US Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee Paul Stewart has a lifetime of experience defying the odds.

As a young boy, Paul had one goal: to make professional hockey his life’s work. To make that dream a reality, Paul has had to refuse to take no for an answer. He’s had to believe in himself even when others did not, and he’s had to learn to perpetually reinvent himself to deliver what the world of professional hockey needed.

As an NHL enforcer with record penalty minutes per game and a reputation for toughness, Paul was to some unlikely choice for his second career–an NHL Referee. From racking up penalties to handing them out, Paul achieved the incredible goal of reffing over 1,000 games in the NHL during his career. Perhaps most amazing, he did so after a battle against Stage 4 colorectal cancer. As a cancer patient, Paul brought his trademark grit and determination to his own recovery. Receiving a diagnosis not even 12 hours after the birth of his first son, Paul was faced with a choice: he could either accept the grim prognosis, or he could do what he’s always done: fight like hell, with the support of the very best team he could assemble.

Paul’s story is a unique one. Delivering a poignant message of what it takes to meet your goals--grit, tenacity, teamwork, a willingness to reassess your own successes and failures--Paul inspires and brings out the best in his audiences. His message of grit, the power of reinvention, and the value of teamwork resonate worldwide and across industries.

The first American to referee more than 1,000 NHL regular-season games, Paul Stewart is one of the most respected officials to ever lace up the skates. He still stands today as the only American who played and refereed in the NHL after skating in 21 games with the Quebec Nordiques during the 1979-80 season.

Paul has served as an ambassador for the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer campaign from 1999-2008, helping raise support and money for national and local cancer research institutes, children’s hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations.

His love for growing the game goes beyond his work with Hockey Fights Cancer. He has served as director of the Bill Stewart Foundation for more than 20 years, helping raise money for inner city youth sports. A portion of all of the sales of his book, “:Ya Wanna Go” are donated annually to the Willie O’Ree Foundation, to support hockey in underserved urban areas.

Stewart was the recipient of the coveted National Association of Sports Officials Gold Whistle Award in 2001, recognizing an individual who has made tremendous contributions to his or her community and has experienced a successful officiating career. After a career filled with North American hockey, Stewart rounded out his journey as chair of officiating and advisor for discipline in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) from 2012-2015.

He writes a regular blog for HockeyBuzz.com and is a features guest speaker throughout New England.