Former Blue Shanahan Retires

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Brendan Shanahan has retired from the National Hockey League today following a career spanning 21 seasons, according to TSN in Canada. Shanahan totaled 656 goals and 698 assists in a run that included three Stanley Cup wins with Detroit in 1997, 1998 and 2002. He played four seasons in St. Louis before being dealt to Hartford for defenseman Chris Pronger in July of 1995.

Shanahan should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as his numbers are extremely comparable to recent inductee, fellow winger and former teammate Luc Robitaille. Shanahan netted 656 goals and helped on 698 others totaling 1,354 points in 1,524 games over 21 seasons. Robitiaille scored 668 goals and 726 assists for 1,394 points in 1,431 career NHL games. It won't hurt Shanny, either, that he won three Stanley Cups to Robitailles' one (the two actually won the Cup together playing for Detroit in 2002).

Shanahan's most prolific goal-scoring seasons were in "The Gateway City" as the eight-time All-Star pumped in 52 during the 1993-'94 season after potting 51 during the 1992-'93 campaign.

Shanny was the second overall pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft as New Jersey's first selection. Buffalo took another former Blue, Pierre Turgeon, first overall that year.

TPC