Hartford, CT … Whalers Sports and Entertainment announced today that famed former NHL referee Paul Stewart will officiate during the Hartford Whalers legends vs. Boston Bruins legends game February 19, 2011 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
The legends game comprises part of the Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl, the featured event of the two-week outdoor Whalers Hockey Fest spectacular at Rentschler Field that will include numerous collegiate, high school, prep school and youth hockey games. The legends game will face off at 4:00 PM on February 19 and will be followed by the outdoor AHL game between the Connecticut Whale and the Providence Bruins at 7:00 PM.
Stewart, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is most famous for officiating over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League during a 13-year career as a referee. On March 15, 2003, Stewart refereed his 1,000th game, becoming the only American-born official to accomplish that historic feat. Stewart also officiated during the Canada Cup in both 1987 and 1991.
Before beginning his career as an official in the NHL, Stewart enjoyed a lengthy professional playing career with teams in the NAHL, AHL, NEHL, CHL, WHA and NHL. Stewart skated in 65 career WHA games for the Edmonton Oilers and Cincinnati Stingers, as well as in 21 NHL games for the Quebec Nordiques during the 1979-80 season.
His career highlights include leading the NAHL’s Binghamton Dusters in penalty minutes from 1975-77, amassing 505 minutes during that two-season span. Stewart also led the Stingers in penalty minutes during the next season, registering 241 minutes in just 40 games. Stewart was also teammates with a 17-year-old Mark Messier on the 1978-79 Cincinnati team.
Tickets for the February 19 Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl, which include admission to both the AHL game and the legends game, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, as well as at the Bushnell box office from Monday through Friday, 12 noon-5:00 PM. Ticket prices range from $20 to $85 and can also be purchased by calling the Connecticut Whale at 860-728-3366. Tickets purchased online can be printed immediately (via Ticketmaster).
Photo credit: proamhockey.com
