Blackhawks News: Andrew Shaw Retires At Age 29

The Chicago Blackhawks are losing another member of their championship years. Andrew Shaw announced on Monday that he is retiring from the NHL.

Andrew Shaw was one of those missing pieces before 2013. In order to win the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cups the team needed some intensity, and Shaw provided it. Shaw doesn’t have the most skill in the league or the most size, but with the game on the line with a minute to go there is no one else a team should want on the ice.

Shaw played seven seasons with the Blackhawks, playing in 362 games and putting up 151 points. In the playoffs Shaw has 179 hits and two Stanley Cups to his name. Stan Bowman has brought back a lot of former Hawks through the years, and while a lot did not work out during their second stint, I would argue Shaw is an exception to the list.

Andrew Shaw is a one of a kind player that any locker room is lucky to have. His energy and intensity spreads throughout a locker room. While Jonathan Toews is the leader of the team that steers the ship, Andrew Shaw is the one rowing the boat.

The announcement for Shaw’s retirment came earlier today, check out the full video here:

Shaw had many quotable moments in his message posted on the Blackhawks twitter. One in particular stands out:

“After several concussions, doctors have strongly recommended I stop playing the game that I love. For the first time in my life, I am going to listen.”

Shaw has given his all to the game of hockey and in large part the Chicago Blackhawks. While it stinks to see a player like Shaw retire young, it is for the best so that he can stay healthy and be apart of something after hockey.

Shaw’s legacy as a Blackhawk legend is already cemented. He won’t get his number retired or pass any amazing milestones like players like Toews and Kane, but he will always be remembered as a fan favorite in Chicago.

Andrew Shaw has had some pretty amazing moments in his career that lasted ten years. This moment in particular stands out to me:

I do not think there is any player out there like Andrew Shaw. After he was traded from the team in 2016 Ryan Hartman was kind of hyped up to be the next Shaw, but that was not the case. Sure Brandon Hagel has some elements but no one can live up to the legacy Shaw had. He never took a night off and always made himself apart of the game. Hopefully the rest of the team will be willing to rise to the occasion and fill the hole Shaw is leaving.