This past week in the NHL, hopeful hall-of-famer Brendan Shanahan retired after an illustrious career. The 1987 second overall pick played for the New Jersey Devils for four seasons, where he became one of the leagues top superstars. Shanahan signed with the St. Louis Blues and recorded two fifty goal seasons in the four seasons he played there. He was then traded to the Hartford Whalers for physical defenseman Chris Pronger. After one tumultuous season with the Whalers, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.
This is where Shanahan made his mark on the league. He played an enormous role on the team during their dynasty years, winning three Stanley Cups in only six seasons. He ends his career with the team that began it all, the New Jersey Devils.
Shanahan grew up in Mimico, Ontario, and played high school hockey for Michael Power. He was their main scoring prowess during their Gold Medal at the OFSAA finals in 1985. He then played for the London Knights of the OHL before being drafted in 1987. His number, 19, is retired by
London for all of his accomplishments. During his 21-year career, Shanahan scored 656 goals and 1354 points in 1524 career games. This puts him eleventh in all time goals and twenty-third in points. He is the only player in history to record over 600 goals and 2000 penalty minutes, making him the ultimate power forward.
Shanahan wanted to spend time with family and friends in the Boston area, where he currently resides. It probably wont take long before he is back in the game at a personnel level. Shanahan should be a top candidate to join the NHLPA, or even to become a GM of a team at some point.
His hockey sense and leadership off the ice will add knowledge to any team who is willing to pay for it.
Expect Shanahan to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2013 for his efforts both on and off the ice. Without a doubt, he deserves to be called a hall-of-famer.
