Andrew Shaw brings toughness back to CHL
Amidst the ongoing controversy regarding the physical side of hockey, there comes a player that kindles the old school ways of the game that has produced some of the greatest legends in the sport.
Owen Sound Attack forward Andrew Shaw plays a much bigger game than his size suggests; something he learned from one of the most revered Toronto Maple Leafs players.
“Wendel Clark for sure. I try to resemble his play; he wasn’t the biggest guy but he wasn’t afraid of anyone,” explained the 19-year-old center. “He stuck up for his teammates and he was a great leader – but also brought forth an offensive role, so he’s just a great all-around character player to model your game around.”
Having a frame of 5″11′ and 180 pounds sounds average for a player in the Canadian Hockey League. However, like Clark, Shaw has made quite the name for himself as many believe he is pound-for-pound the toughest fighter currently playing in the OHL.
“I grew up with two brothers so I’ve always been a physical guy and when I fight I’m not afraid to get hit or to throw a punch back,” Shaw said. “I think it’s helped me when fighting bigger guys because they open up and it allows me to catch them with one they might not be expecting.”
Since the Belleville, Ontario native’s rookie season with the Niagara IceDogs in 2008-09, Shaw has been notorious for dropping the mitts with any player that challenges him, no matter the size difference.
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“Shawzy has been playing fearless since the very first time he stepped on the ice in his first training camp,” said Niagara IceDogs assistant coach Billy Burke. “He plays with a ton of grit and has smooth hands to go with it. He’s a good teammate and was a popular player in Niagara.”
Shaw opened his major junior career with 11 regular season fighting majors along with two in the playoffs. At the time, he was a mere 165 pounds.
“There were a couple [fights] in my first year that were mismatched,” he said. “Brandon Mashinter and Richard Greenop; they’re a lot bigger than me and they’re respected fighters, so going into the fights I was a little nervous but once you get into it you’re good to go.”
It was dust in the wind from there on out as the gritty forward packed on 15 pounds and has now racked up 28 career fighting majors against big name enforcers – some of which are listed below.
| Player | Height | Weight | 2010-11 Team | PIM |
| Kyle Clifford | 6’2″ | 207 | Los Angeles Kings (NHL) | 141 |
| Richard Greenop | 6’4″ | 235 | Toronto Marlies (AHL) | 52 (ECHL/AHL) |
| Brandon Mashinter | 6’4″ | 222 | Worcester Sharks (AHL) | 113 (AHL/NHL) |
| Zac Rinaldo | 5’11” | 180 | Adirondack Phantoms (AHL) | 331 |
| Tyler Randell | 6’1″ | 197 | Kitchener Rangers (OHL) | 160 |
| Jarred Tinordi | 6’7″ | 212 | London Knights (OHL) | 140 |
| Michael Latta | 6’0″ | 213 | Guelph Storm (OHL) | 158 |
| Dylan King | 6’1″ | 195 | Soo Greyhounds (OHL) | 117 |
But fighting isn’t the only part of his game. Shaw has continually improved his offensive totals while simultaneously developing into a solid two-way player.
“A role like mine, especially in playoffs, is big because you need at least three contributing lines to have success,” Shaw said. “You need to have guys who can kill penalties and shut down the other team’s top line.”
As a rookie with Niagara, he posted eight goals, 17 points and 97 penalty minutes before more than doubling his point production the following season with 11 goals, 36 points and 129 penalty minutes.
Traded to the Attack earlier in 2010-11, Shaw proved himself as a key piece to the club’s regular season success, racking up 22 goals, 32 assists and 135 penalty minutes with a plus-17 rating. In 15 post-season appearances, the right handed shot has put up a point per game while still maintaining his intimidating image.
“Just a lot of working out in the off season; coming in everyday and giving it everything you’ve got,” said Shaw of the improvements. “When the opportunity was given to me this year, I didn’t let down and just kept pushing. As the year progressed I improved and that has carried over into the playoffs.”
His keen defensive responsibility allows him to play a vital role on the penalty kill and he hasn’t been shy to use his offensive skill while shorthanded either.
In the Attack’s 68-game, 97-point regular season, Shaw notched four goals and two assists while killing penalties, which places him in the league’s top-10 for shorthanded points.
“I have some pretty good speed and I kill a lot of penalties with Robbie Mignardi who has played in the league for five years – so his experience has really helped me and it’s paid off for us this year while shorthanded.”
Although Shaw is currently a free agent, as a 1991 birth he still has his over-aged year to prove to NHL scouts that his tenaciousness could be a valuable asset to their hockey club.
“Character; I bring everything I have into every game and I’m not afraid to step up to the plate,” he offered. “I’ll do anything the team needs me to do to win and I try to be the least selfish I can be and stay disciplined but the other team still always knows I’m there.”
For now, Shaw will focus on the present and the continued success of the Owen Sound Attack during their 2011 Memorial Cup run.
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