For him, it's about being in the right place at the right time. "When they make such great plays, I'm hopefully there to finish them," Shaw smiles.
Already upon his arrival in Linz, he had hoped to get a chance to play alongside them. "I've seen how good they are over the last few years. And I know what I can bring to the line."
Goals as a Nice Side Effect
So far, that's 18 points, the most in the league. The former regular season MVP is accordingly satisfied. "Things are going well. I just wanted to come here and try to be a good puzzle piece for this team."
The Black Wings already had good players in their ranks. "And I'm just trying to contribute, help as much as possible, and maybe offer them something they didn't have in the past."
The goals are a nice side effect of that. Shaw grins: "The nice thing about it is: when you score goals, you usually outscore the opposing team and win games. That's the most important thing right now."
New Beginning in Linz
Actually, the Ottawa-born forward shouldn't have been playing in the "Steel City" this season at all.
At the beginning of March, his supposed return to HC Innsbruck was finalized, but in November 2023, the "Sharks" had dismissed him without notice after an internal incident. In mid-May, however, the one-year contract was dissolved again, officially due to "personal reasons".
Ich habe den Alkohol hinter mir gelassen und bin seit fast drei Jahren nüchtern.
The Black Wings took advantage of the situation. After many discussions, a thorough background check, and a contractually stipulated supplementary agreement, the offense was strengthened with the veteran.
Shaw is grateful to have received this opportunity: "It means a lot to me to be here. The entire organization makes you feel welcome. That's such a great feeling and it carries over to the entire locker room."
Sober for Almost Three Years
He elaborates: "I made them promises about how I would behave, and I'm glad that things are going well on the ice too, because off the ice, everything just fits together so well right now."
He and his family are doing "really well" in Linz; together with his wife, Shaw is even expecting a child. After the incident in Innsbruck, the top scorer has also worked hard on himself.
"I've left alcohol behind and have been sober for almost three years," he says proudly. "It just became clear to me that alcohol wasn't doing me any good. I'm really happy with where I am right now - as a husband, an expectant father, and a teammate."
What Makes Him Successful
Personally, Shaw has changed a lot. Athletically, the forward has been one of the most noticeable players in the win2day ICE Hockey League since his time with Fehervar AV19. The Canadian was also among the league's top scorers in Denmark and France.
Es ist ein wahr gewordener Traum, die Welt zu bereisen und den Sport auszuüben, den ich liebe – und das jetzt gemeinsam mit meiner Frau.
Why does the European style of play suit him? Shaw answers: "I'm not necessarily the best skater, but I've always been able to read the game well." His hockey IQ has helped him adapt to various leagues and succeed there.
Shaw: "It's a dream come true to travel the world and play the sport I love – and now doing it with my wife. She also really likes it here, which makes it a lot easier. It's great."
Big Goals with the Black Wings
With the Black Wings, the left-handed shooter pursues one goal: to win. Shaw: "I'm getting older and I know I don't have many years left." He is happy to be able to contribute to the current successful run.
The objective is a top-6 finish after the regular season, "so we don't have to fight in the pre-playoffs. And then we want to go as far as possible," emphasizes Shaw.
The squad is "truly committed," there's a "special feeling" in the locker room. Giving a prognosis is difficult nonetheless due to all the possible variables.
But Shaw confidently states: "We can take on any team in the league." With his performances, he has already contributed his part to this development.
