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 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 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. 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. He played in one more NHL game that season earning no points.

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. Shaw signed a one-year contract extension with the Whalers in May 1989 with an additional one-year option. 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. Gord Dineen was named captain as his (and Lamb's) replacement for the rest of that season. In 66 games, Shaw had four goals and 23 points. 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, In 59 games, Shaw had six goals and 38 points. In 21 playoff games, Shaw had two goals and 11 points In the playoffs, Shaw had a goal and 12 points in 23 games,

In 1998–99, Shaw began the season with the Vipers, where he scored 10 goals and 45 points in 61 games. 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. 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. Shaw saw action in four playoff games, going pointless, 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. 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, 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 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.

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.

Philadelphia Flyers Shaw was named an associate coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in July 2022, reuniting with John Tortorella. On March 12, 2024, Shaw briefly took over as head coach of the Flyers while Tortorella served a two-game suspension, earning his first win that night in a 3–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. On March 27, 2025, Shaw was named interim head coach of the Flyers following Tortorella's dismissal. He marked his debut as the Flyers' head coach on March 28, notching his first win of the season in a 6–4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Under Shaw, the team had a record of 5–3–1 to close out the season.

New Jersey Devils After the 2024–25 season it was reported that Shaw would not return to the Flyers, with Flyers general manager Daniel Brière clarifying that Shaw himself had not wanted to participate in the process to see if he was going to be part of incoming head coach Rick Tocchet's bench staff. 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 Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1983 Canada WJC 7 1 1 2 2 1984 Canada WJC 7 0 2 2 0Junior totals 14 1 3 4 2

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL Pts Finish W L Win % Result NYI 2005–06* 40 18 18 4 (40) 4th in Atlantic — — — Missed playoffs PHI 2024–25* 9 5 3 1 (11) 8th in Metropolitan — — — Missed playoffsTotal 49 23 21 5 — — — – mid-season replacement