Shaw retired from the game at the age of 29 after multiple concussions. Photo Credit: Niagara Sports Report/Facebook
I am sure one day a documentary will be made on Andrew Shaw.
One of the toughest players to ever lace em’ up, and one of the best pound for pound fighters of all-time.
But Shaw had to retire at the far too young age of twenty-nine.
Multiple concussions had taken their toll on the former Niagara IceDog, turned Memorial Cup and two-time Stanley Cup Champion.
Shaw returned to Niagara last week to drop the puck at an IceDogs game.
After going undrafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Shaw would play 141 games with the IceDogs before being dealt to the Owen Sound Attack.
The now 33-year old Belleville native fondly remembers his days in Niagara.
“I loved the Jack (Jack Gatecliff Arena), it’s where my career started,” said Shaw recently when he joined the Niagara Sports Report on Newstalk 610 CKTB.
“It was a smaller rink, smaller ice-surface, which suited my style of play.
Those old wooden benches were filled most nights. I had a lot of fun playing in the Jack, and I was telling some of the (new IceDogs) players that sometimes we would have beer or slushies dripping through the roof of our dressing room, an we would have to put buckets down – it’s pretty crazy how far the organization has come.”
Yes, fond memories for sure in Niagara, but it was in Owen Sound under then head coach, the late Mark Reeds where Shaw really found his stride.
And it was that connection with Reeds in Owen Sound who had ties with then Chicago bench boss Joel Quennville that led him to being drafted by the Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Shaw would win a pair of Stanley Cups in the windy city, before finishing his career in Montreal.
“It was a heck of a ride that went by really fast ,” said Shaw. “I was very fortunate to live out my childhood dream of playing for the Stanley Cup and winning the Stanley Cup.
I wish I could go back and cherish the moments a little bit more considering how special they are.”
Retiring at the age of 29, and trying to return to so called normal life was certainly not easy.
“I would say it took about a year and half, two years, before I finally felt like myself again,” Shaw said upon deep reflection.
“I dealt with a lot of head trauma. Headaches, sensitivity to light and sound. I really keyed in on health, fitness, what I was putting into my body, and making sure I was getting the correct sleep.
I needed to get feeling better for my wife and kids. They helped me with the process, but I still have a lot of neck issues I work with.
It was a tough go, and not just the feeling better part, but finding a purpose. Emotionally, physically it was very, very, tough to deal with.
Family and father time is now what’s important to Shaw. He’s back home in Belleville living with wife Chaunette, daughter Andy and son Dax, whom he now proudly coaches.
Shaw has these seven words of advice for anyone, in any walk of life, reading this story today.
“Listen, learn and enjoy the whole process.”
What a story of a player that began his run to a pair of Stanley Cup’s right here in Niagara.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
