Brad Shaw

Bradley William Shaw (born April 28, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the fifth round, 86th overall, in the 1982 NHL entry draft. He has played for the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues in the NHL. He was a member of the 1989–90 NHL All-Rookie Team and twice won the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League's best defenceman. He won the Turner Cup with the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League and the J. Ross Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup as a member of the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Playing career

Junior

Shaw joined the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) at the age of 17 in 1981–82. In his rookie season, Shaw led all 67's defencemen with 72 points, scoring 13 goals and adding 59 assists in 68 games, helping Ottawa into the playoffs. In 17 playoff games, Shaw scored a goal and 14 points, as the 67's were swept by the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL finals. In the 1982–83 season Shaw saw his offensive production improve in his second season with the 67's, scoring 12 goals and 78 points in 63 games. In nine playoff games, Shaw scored two goals and 11 points, as the 67's lost to the Oshawa Generals in the Leyden Division finals.

In 1983–84, Shaw once again improved his offense, scoring 11 goals and 82 points in 68 games, helping the 67's to have the best record in the Leyden Division that season. In the playoffs, Shaw led the 67's in scoring, earning two goals and a team high 29 points in 13 games, as Ottawa won the J. Ross Robertson Cup over the Kitchener Rangers, and earned a berth in the 1984 Memorial Cup. At the Memorial Cup, Shaw had a goal and five points in five games, as the 67's won the championship, defeating the host Kitchener Rangers 7–2 in the final game at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Shaw was named to the 1983–84 OHL first all-star team, and won the Max Kaminsky Trophy, given to the most outstanding defenceman in the OHL.

Professional career

Hartford Whalers

Shaw was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round, 86th overall, in the 1982 NHL entry draft. However, in April 1984, Red Wings general manager Jimmy Devellano told Shaw that the Red Wings would not sign him. His rights were traded to the Hartford Whalers for the Whalers' eighth round draft pick in the 1984 NHL entry draft on May 29, 1984.

Shaw joined the Whalers in for the 1984–85 season. He was assigned first to the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League (AHL). However, Binghamton cut Shaw too and he was reassigned to the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League (IHL). Shaw refused assignment and left the team, hoping to play at Wilfrid Laurier University. Hartford threatened to sue Shaw, and forced him to join Salt Lake. In 44 games with the Golden Eagles, Shaw had three goals and 32 points. He finished the season with Binghamton, where in 24 games, Shaw had a goal and 11 points. In eight playoff games with Binghamton, Shaw finished with a goal and nine points.

He spent the majority of the 1985–86 in Binghamton, where in 64 games, Shaw scored 10 goals and 54 points. In five playoff games, Shaw earned two assists. Shaw debuted with the Hartford Whalers in the 1985–86 NHL season. Shaw played in his first NHL game on February 18, 1986, a 5–4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Shaw recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Sylvain Turgeon's goal in an 8–2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on February 23. Overall, he appeared in eight games, where he recorded two assists.

In the 1986–87 season, Shaw struggled offensively compared to previous season, as in 77 games with Binghamton, he scored nine goals and 39 points, although, he found his offensive touch in the playoffs, finishing with a goal and nine points in 12 games. Shaw won the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's best defenceman and was named to the AHL's First All-Star Team. Shaw was recalled by Hartford and made his 1986–87 NHL season debut on February 6, 1987, in a 5–2 win over the Washington Capitals. He played in one more NHL game that season earning no points. The following season, Shaw returned to Binghamton. He had a solid offensive season, scoring 12 goals and 62 points in 73 games. In four playoff games, Shaw led Binghamton in scoring with five points, all assists. He was named an AHL First Team All-Star again. Shaw again saw very limited action with Hartford in 1987–88, making his sole appearance in a 5–4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 9, 1988, going pointless.

Shaw began the 1988–89 season playing with HC Varese in Serie A in Italy, where in 35 games, he scored 10 goals and 40 points. In 11 playoff games, Shaw had four goals and 12 points with Varese. HC Varese won its second championship that season on March 4, 1989. Shaw returned to the Whalers organization on March 7, at the end of the 1988–89 NHL season, where he appeared in three games. On March 29, 1989, Shaw scored his first career NHL goal against Vincent Riendeau of the St. Louis Blues in a 4–0 Whalers victory, his only point with the Whalers that season. Shaw made his playoffs debut on April 6, 1989, against the Montreal Canadiens and appeared in three Stanley Cup playoff games for the Whalers. On April 8, 1989, he scored his first career playoff goal and point, a game-tying goal to send the game to overtime against Brian Hayward of the Montreal Canadiens in a 5–4 loss. Shaw signed a one-year contract extension with the Whalers in May 1989 with an additional one-year option.

Shaw saw regular ice time with Hartford beginning in the 1989–90 season. He appeared in 64 games, scoring three goals and 35 points. On October 26, 1989, Shaw recorded four assists in a 7–3 victory against the New Jersey Devils. In the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs, Shaw led the Whalers in scoring, earning two goals and seven points in seven games, as the Whalers lost a thrilling first round series against the Boston Bruins. In the third game of the series on April 9, 1990, Shaw scored a goal and added three assists for a four-point game in a 5–3 Hartford win. Shaw was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team at the end of the season, and named the Whalers best defenceman.

In 1990–91, Shaw played in 72 games with Hartford, scoring four goals and 32 points to lead the Whalers defense in scoring. In six playoff games, Shaw recorded a goal and three points, as Hartford lost to the Boston Bruins in the Adams Division semi-finals. In 62 games with the Whalers in 1991–92, Shaw scored three goals and 25 points, hampered by a wrist injury that required surgery in the offseason and uncomfortable with the Whalers' new coach Jimmy Roberts' strategy. Shaw saw action in only three of the Whalers' seven playoff games, earning an assist as the Whalers lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the opening playoff round.

On June 13, 1992, the Whalers new general manager, Brian Burke, traded Shaw to the New Jersey Devils for future considerations, as the Whalers did not want to lose the defenceman for nothing. Shaw's stay with the Devils was short-lived, as five days later he was left unprotected in 1992 NHL expansion draft and was chosen by the Ottawa Senators.

Ottawa Senators

Shaw was selected by the Ottawa Senators as part of a secret deal whereby if Ottawa did not select Viacheslav Fetisov of the New Jersey Devils, but another player, then New Jersey would send Ottawa a young player to complete the transaction. Shaw was named an alternate captain for the Senators. Shaw was on the ice for the opening faceoff in Ottawa's first game in their inaugural season in 1992–93. Shaw played in 81 games with the Senators, scoring seven goals and 41 points. On November 5, 1992, he had a multi-point game against the Calgary Flames, then again against the San Jose Sharks on January 10, 1993.

Shaw was named a co-captain of the Senators with Mark Lamb to begin 1993–94, a position they both held until March when Lamb was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. Gord Dineen was named a captain as his replacement that season. In 66 games, Shaw had four goals and 23 points. In the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, Shaw appeared in only two games with the Senators, getting no points. He finished the year with the Atlanta Knights of the IHL, where in 26 games, he had a goal and 19 points. In five playoff games with Atlanta, Shaw had seven points.

Detroit Vipers

Shaw joined the Detroit Vipers of the IHL as a player and an assistant coach to head coach Rick Dudley. In his first season with the club in 1995–96, Shaw had seven goals and 61 points in 79 games. In eight playoff games, Shaw had two goals and five points, as Detroit lost to the Orlando Solar Bears. Shaw returned as a player-assistant coach with the Vipers in 1996–97, as Steve Ludzik was named the new head coach of the team. In 59 games, Shaw had six goals and 38 points. In 21 playoff games, Shaw had two goals and 11 points as the Vipers defeated the Long Beach Ice Dogs to win the Turner Cup. In 1997–98 he played in 64 games, scoring two goals and 35 points. He was on the ice for Gordie Howe's last shift in professional hockey on October 3, 1997. In the playoffs, Shaw had a goal and 12 points in 23 games, as the Vipers lost to the Chicago Wolves in seven games in the Turner Cup final.

In 1998–99, Shaw began the season with the Vipers, where he scored 10 goals and 45 points in 61 games. On March 8, 1999, Shaw signed an NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators, as the Senators sought out defensive depth. Shaw was placed on waivers in order to return to Detroit, and was claimed by the Washington Capitals on March 9, who were also dealing with defensive depth issues.

Washington Capitals

Shaw returned to the NHL with the Washington Capitals in 1998–99, appearing in four games with the club, recording no points. He made his Capitals debut on March 10 versus the Florida Panthers and was on the ice for the Panthers' opening goal of the game in a 2–1 loss. His stay with the Capitals was short, as on March 18, 1999, Shaw and the Capitals' eighth round draft pick in the 1999 NHL entry draft were traded to the St. Louis Blues for the Blues sixth round draft pick in the 1999 NHL entry draft.

St. Louis Blues

Shaw finished the 1998–99 season with the St. Louis Blues, earning no points in 12 games. He made his Blues debut in a 3–2 loss to his former team, the Ottawa Senators, on March 20, 1999. Shaw saw action in four playoff games, going pointless, as the Blues lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round of the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs. Shaw announced his retirement from playing hockey following the season.

International play

Shaw represented Canada at the 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Leningrad, Soviet Union. He played in 7 games, had one goal and two points as the team finished third in the tournament, winning the bronze medal. Shaw was one of only three players returning for Canada at the 1984 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Sweden. Shaw played in 7 games and had no goals and two points. Canada finished fourth in the tournament. He also played four games for Team Canada at the 1988 Izvestia Cup, scoring one goal.

Coaching career

Tampa Bay Lightning

Shaw was named an assistant coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 1999–2000 season, working under head coach Steve Ludzik. Shaw left after only one season.

Detroit Vipers

Shaw joined the Detroit Vipers of the IHL as head coach of the team for the 2000–01 season on a two-year contract. In his only season with the team, Detroit struggled to a 23–53–6 record, missing the playoffs. The league folded after the season.

Springfield Falcons

Shaw joined the Springfield Falcons of the AHL as an assistant coach, working under head coach Marc Potvin.

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

Shaw was named head coach of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL for the 2002–03 season, replacing Mike Babcock, who was promoted to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In his first season with the Mighty Ducks, the club struggled to a 26–35–13–6 record, failing to make the post-season.

Shaw returned to the team for the 2003–04 season, as Cincinnati struggled to a 29–37–13–1 record. The Mighty Ducks defeated the Houston Aeros in the qualifying round, defeating the Aeros two games to none, to earn a playoff berth. In the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, the Mighty Ducks were defeated by the Milwaukee Admirals four games to three. Cincinnati improved during the 2004–05 season, as the team finished the season with a 44–31–1-4 record, making the playoffs. In the post-season, the Mighty Ducks got their revenge against the Milwaukee Admirals, defeating them in the first round. The Mighty Ducks lost to the Chicago Wolves in the second round.

New York Islanders

Shaw joined the New York Islanders of the NHL as an assistant coach under Steve Stirling for the 2005–06 season. After the Islanders struggled to an 18–22–2 record to start the season, the club fired Stirling, and named Shaw his replacement for the remainder of the season on January 12, 2006. Shaw won his first career game as a head coach, as the Islanders defeated the Calgary Flames 3–2 that night with Miroslav Šatan and Trent Hunter both having multi-point games. Under Shaw, the Islanders posted an 18–18–4 record, and failed to qualify for the post-season. Shaw was not retained by the Islanders' new head coach, Ted Nolan.

St. Louis Blues

Shaw joined the St. Louis Blues in 2006–07 as an assistant coach under Mike Kitchen. Kitchen was replaced shortly into the season by Andy Murray, however, Shaw remained with the team. Shaw remained with St. Louis for 10 years, as an assistant coach and associated coach under Andy Murray, Davis Payne and Ken Hitchcock. He was credited with developing defencemen Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Shaw joined John Tortorella's staff with the Columbus Blue Jackets in June 2016, replacing Craig Hartsburg, who retired following the 2015–16 season.

Vancouver Canucks

Shaw was announced as an assistant coach of the Vancouver Canucks in June 2021, replacing Newell Brown.

Philadelphia Flyers

Shaw was named an associate coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in July 2022, reuniting with John Tortorella. On March 27, 2025, Shaw was named interim head coach of the Flyers following Tortorella's dismissal.

New Jersey Devils

After the 2024–25 season it was reported that Shaw would not return to the Flyers. On May 27, 2025, he was named assistant coach of the New Jersey Devils under head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Personal life

Shaw's wife, Mary, is an author, and writer of the popular children's book series ''Brady Brady'', named after their son, Brady, who also plays ice hockey.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Head coaching record

* – mid-season replacement

References

Sources

*
*
*
*
*

External links

*

Profile at hockeydraftcentral.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shaw, Brad
1964 births
Living people
20th-century Canadian sportsmen
Atlanta Knights players
Binghamton Whalers players
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Canadian ice hockey coaches
Canadian ice hockey defencemen
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks coaches
Columbus Blue Jackets coaches
Detroit Red Wings draft picks
Detroit Vipers players
Hartford Whalers players
HC Varese players
Ice hockey people from Cambridge, Ontario
Ice hockey player-coaches
New Jersey Devils coaches
New York Islanders coaches
Ottawa 67's players
Ottawa Senators players
Philadelphia Flyers coaches
Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL) players
St. Louis Blues coaches
St. Louis Blues players
Springfield Falcons coaches
Springfield Falcons players
Tampa Bay Lightning coaches
Vancouver Canucks coaches
Washington Capitals players