Brendan Shanahan Leaves the Game He Loves on Top

As I reflect on the stellar career of three time Stanley Cup champion Brendan Shanahan my favourite memory is one that actually happened off the ice. As far as I’m concerned this 656 goal scorer who recently retired after a stellar 21 year career scored his biggest goal back in 1996 when he went out of his way to create a life- long memory with a die- hard hockey fan in me. At the time I was staying in a Montreal hotel where by coincidence Team Canada was staying. It was late August and various players such as Keith Primeau, Adam Graves, Joe Sakic and Shanahan were in town to prepare for the upcoming late summer tournament that the Americans would eventually win. One weekend afternoon I passed by the dining lounge where to my amazement Shanahan was eating by himself. To my utter amazement after seeing the hostess stopping me from getting an autograph this rugged winger showed his tender side by waiving through then going that extra mile in inviting me to sit down at his table where we went on to talk about hockey. To my amazement this Mimico Ontario native began asking me questions about who my favourite team and players were. It was only a three minute conversation but it was a generous gesture made by a superstar that I still cherish to this day. This eight time all-star who ranks 11^th all time in goal scoring was always consistent throughout his career. In six seasons this future hall of famer scored 40 or more goals including a career high of 52 in 1994. Shanahan who is affectionately known as ‘Shanny’ was originally selected second overall in 1987 by the New Jersey Devils. After a four year stint in Jersey this gritty left winger who accumulated 1,354 total points signed as a free agent in 1991 with the St. Louis Blues. After a year stint with the Hartford Whalers Shanahan was about to receive a huge break in getting traded to a Detroit Red Wings team that was on the verge of becoming a dynasty.. Coming to the Motor City in October 1996 Shanahan went on to realize his ultimate dream as he became a three time Stanley Cup winner during his nine seasons with Detroit. In 2002 this humble player made history as he became the first ever to win a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal in the same year. In the twilight of his career Shanahan also spent time with the New York Rangers and last season ended his career where he started with the New Jersey Devils. Though people will best remember him for scoring goals and lifting the Stanley Cup, with me it will always be for taking the time to show some interest in a wide eyed fan who to this day remembers every detail of that long ago encounter.