A Jagr hug to remember

Former NHL referee Paul Stewart, who is now a KHL officiating supervisor, shared a number of Jaromir Jagr stories with NJ.com.

One in particular tugs at the heartstrings.

When Jagr's name comes up, Stewart's mind transforms back to the day he returned to the NHL to referee his first game after winning a fight for his life.

“I was diagnosed with colon cancer, stage 3, in February 1998,” Stewart said in a calm voice. “I came back in Nov. 13, 1998. Friday the 13th. Penguins vs. Devils in New Jersey.”

Stewart had trouble getting out the rest of his story, the part about being on the ice before the game and encountering Jagr, then a 26-year-old, first-year captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I skated by him … and he hugged me,” Stewart said as his voice broke up. “I always remembered that. Yeah. He gave me a hug.”

Jagr then told Stewart, “It didn't seem like hockey without you.”

Fifteen years later, this moment still means the world to Stewart.

"I have a tape of it,” he said with pride.

Source: Randy Miller, NJ.com