Brendan Shanahan

**Brendan Frederick Shanahan** (born January 23, 1969) is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former professional ice hockey left winger. He played parts of 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. Shanahan was also the president and alternate governor for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as, the director of player safety for the National Hockey League (NHL).

Shanahan had a very successful career. He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998, and 2002. He is also an eight-time All-Star, the winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2003, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2013. Internationally, he played for Canada and is a three-time gold medal winner with them. He won gold at the Canada Cup in 1991, World Championships in 1994, and Winter Olympics in 2002. This made him part of the Triple Gold Club. In 2017, the National Hockey League named Shanahan to their list of 100 Greatest NHL Players.

## Career

Before playing in the NHL, Shanahan played two seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a successful time during his time with the Knights.

He was selected 2nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 NHL entry draft. On October 9, 1987, Shanahan made his NHL debut in a 7–3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. During the game, he also recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Pat Verbeek goal. On November 10, Shanahan scored his first NHL goal against John Vanbiesbrouck in a 3–2 overtime loss against the New York Rangers. He played parts of four seasons with the team.

On July 25, 1991, Shanahan signed a four-year, $5 million to join the St. Louis Blues. Shanahan was a restricted free agent at this time and the Devils demanded compensation for the signing. An arbitrator eventually decided that Scott Stevens would join the Devils from St. Louis. Much like his time in New Jersey, he was a consistent goal scored for the Blues. He finished second in team scoring during the 1992–93 season. The next season, he was selected to play in his first All-Star Game.

On July 27, 1995, the Blues traded Shanahan to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Chris Pronger. The Whalers introduced Shanahan as their new team captain. He only played one full season with the team, scoring 44 goals and recording 34 assists. During that year, he was selected to play in his second All-Star Game. On September 23, 1996, he requested a trade during the start of the next season because of uncertainty with the future of the Whalers organization.

On October 9, 1996, the Whalers traded Shanahan along with Brian Glynn to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Keith Primeau, Paul Coffey, and a 1997 first-round draft pick. He was selected for another All-Star Game that year. He also helped the Red Wings during that playoffs, defeating the St. Louis Blues, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Colorado Avalanche. They swept the Philadelphia Flyers four games to zero in the Finals to win Detroit's first Stanley Cup since 1955. The Red Wings went on to repeat as champions, sweeping the Washington Capitals in the Finals. Shanahan and the Red Wings also found success during the 2001–02 season. He also helped the Red Wings during that playoffs, defeating the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Colorado Avalanche. In the Finals, They defeated the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one to win the Stanley Cup. In 2003, Shanahan was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for starting a program that helped buy smoke detectors for low-income households.

On July 9, 2006, Shanahan signed a one-year, $4 million contract to join the New York Rangers. He played two seasons with the Rangers, scoring 52 goals and recording 56 assists. On July 10, 2007, he signed a one year, $2.5 million contract to stay with the Rangers.

On January 14, 2009, Shanahan signed a one-year, $800,000 contract to join the New Jersey Devils for the second time. He played 34 games with them, scoring 6 goals and recording 8 assists. On August 5, 2009, Shanahan signed a one-year contract to stay with the Devils.

On November 17, 2009, Shanahan announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

## Executive career

In December 2009, the National Hockey League named Shanahan as their new NHL's vice president of hockey and business development.

On June 1, 2011, he was named as the NHL's senior vice president.

On April 11, 2014, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Shanahan as their new president and alternate governor. Stéphane Quintal replaced him as the disciplinarian for the NHL.

## Infobox (ice hockey player)

- **image**: SHANAHAN.jpg
- **caption**: Shanahan at an outdoor practice for the Maple Leafs on January 9, 2020
- **position**: Winger (ice hockey), Left wing
- **shoots**: Right
- **birth place**: Etobicoke, Ontario
- **height ft**: 6
- **height in**: 3
- **weight lb**: 220
- **played for**: New Jersey Devils
St. Louis Blues
Düsseldorfer EG
Hartford Whalers
Detroit Red Wings
New York Rangers
- **ntl team**: CAN
- **draft**: 2nd overall
- **draft year**: 1987
- **draft team**: New Jersey Devils
- **career start**: 1987
- **career end**: 2009
- **halloffame**: 2013