Brad Shaw

Bradley William Shaw
Born	(1964-04-28) April 28, 1964 Canada
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey player, coach
Years active	1981–1999 (player), 1999– (coach)
Known for	NHL defenseman and assistant coach for New Jersey Devils

Bradley William Shaw (born April 28, 1964) is a Canadian former ice hockey player and current professional coach, serving as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 86th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, Shaw’s NHL playing tenure included stints with the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, and St. Louis Blues. He earned a spot on the 1989–90 NHL All-Rookie Team and was twice honored with the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League’s top defenseman. His career achievements also feature winning the Turner Cup with the Detroit Vipers (International Hockey League) and securing both the J. Ross Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup while playing for the Ottawa 67's in the Ontario Hockey League.

Junior

At age 17, Shaw began his junior career with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League during the 1981–82 season. In his inaugural year, he led all team defensemen by accumulating 72 points (13 goals and 59 assists) across 68 games, contributing significantly to Ottawa’s playoff qualification. He added 14 points over 17 postseason games as the team advanced to the OHL finals.

The following season, 1982–83, Shaw elevated his performance to 78 points in 63 games and posted 11 points in nine playoff contests before Ottawa’s run ended in the Leyden Division finals. In 1983–84, he further improved to 82 points in 68 games, helping Ottawa secure first place in their division. Shaw dominated playoff scoring with an impressive 29 points in just 13 games as Ottawa claimed the J. Ross Robertson Cup and advanced to compete in the Memorial Cup.

During the 1984 Memorial Cup tournament, Shaw contributed five points over five games, playing a key role in Ottawa’s championship victory against host team Kitchener Rangers with a decisive 7–2 win in the final. His outstanding play earned him selection to the OHL First All-Star Team as well as receiving the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded to the league’s most exceptional defenseman.

Hartford Whalers

Although drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round (86th overall) of the 1982 NHL entry draft, Shaw was informed by Red Wings General Manager Jimmy Devellano in April 1984 that he would not be signed. Subsequently, on May 29, 1984, his rights were traded to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for an eighth-round pick in the 1984 NHL entry draft.

Shaw began his professional journey with Hartford during the 1984–85 season, initially assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Whalers, before being transferred to the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League. After resisting this reassignment and attempting to continue playing at Wilfrid Laurier University, Hartford compelled him to report to Salt Lake. Over 44 games with Salt Lake, Shaw tallied three goals and amassed 32 points before returning to Binghamton for the remainder of the season where he added one goal and eleven points across 24 games. In eight postseason appearances for Binghamton, he recorded one goal and nine points.

During the 1985–86 season, Shaw primarily played for Binghamton, registering ten goals and a total of 54 points over 64 games. He made his NHL debut with Hartford on February 18, 1986, appearing in eight NHL contests that season and earning his first NHL point—a helper—on February 23.

In the 1986–87 season, Shaw contributed nine goals and accumulated 39 points through 77 games with Binghamton. His playoff performance was notable with one goal and nine points over twelve games. That year he received the prestigious Eddie Shore Award recognizing him as AHL’s best defenseman and was named to the AHL First All-Star Team. He also played two NHL games during this period.

For 1987–88, Shaw’s offensive output increased as he notched twelve goals and recorded sixty-two points over seventy-three games with Binghamton. He led playoff scoring for his team with five assists in four matches. His excellence earned him another selection to the AHL First Team All-Star roster; however, he appeared only once for Hartford at NHL level.

Shaw commenced the 1988–89 season overseas with Italy’s HC Varese (Serie A), where he scored ten goals and collected forty points across thirty-five games, assisting them in securing their second national title. Later that season, he returned to Hartford and participated in three NHL games, scoring his first NHL goal on March 29, 1989. He made his playoff debut that year with three appearances and scored his first postseason goal on April 8. In May 1989, Shaw inked a one-year contract extension with Hartford.

Beginning with the 1989–90 NHL season, Shaw established himself as a regular presence on Hartford’s blue line, playing sixty-four games while tallying three goals and thirty-five points. A standout moment came on October 26, 1989, when he assisted on four goals against the New Jersey Devils in a single game. During that year’s playoffs, he led Hartford defensemen by scoring two goals and seven points over seven games despite their first-round exit at Boston’s hands. His efforts earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team as well as recognition as Hartford’s top defenseman.

In 1990–91, Shaw appeared in seventy-two games registering four goals and thirty-two points while leading Whalers’ defensemen offensively once again. He added one goal and three assists through six playoff contests. The subsequent season saw him limited by a wrist injury requiring surgery; despite playing sixty-two games with three goals and twenty-five points under new head coach Jimmy Roberts—whose system he found challenging—he managed three playoff appearances contributing one assist.

On June 13, 1992, following organizational changes under new Whalers General Manager Brian Burke, Shaw was traded to the New Jersey Devils for future considerations to avoid losing him without compensation. Merely five days later, he was left unprotected during the 1992 NHL expansion draft and subsequently selected by the Ottawa Senators.

Ottawa Senators

Shaw was acquired by the Ottawa Senators through a confidential arrangement involving the New Jersey Devils. During the Senators' first-ever 1992–93 season, he participated in 81 games, serving as an alternate captain, and amassed seven goals along with 41 points. Highlights of his performance included multiple-point games against both the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks. For the 1993–94 season, Shaw was appointed co-captain alongside Mark Lamb until Lamb was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in March; subsequently, Gord Dineen assumed the captaincy. That season, Shaw tallied four goals and 23 points over 66 games. In the lockout-shortened 1994–95 campaign, he appeared in just two NHL contests and spent most of the year with the IHL’s Atlanta Knights, where he recorded one goal and 19 points in 26 regular-season games, plus seven points across five playoff appearances.

Detroit Vipers

Shaw took on dual responsibilities as a player and assistant coach with the IHL’s Detroit Vipers under head coach Rick Dudley. In the 1995–96 season, he contributed seven goals and 61 points during 79 games, adding two goals and five points over eight playoff matches. Returning for the 1996–97 season under new head coach Steve Ludzik, Shaw posted six goals and 38 points in 59 games, along with two goals and 11 points across 21 postseason contests as the Vipers captured the Turner Cup. The following year, 1997–98, he appeared in 64 games, scoring two goals and earning 35 points; notably, he took part in Gordie Howe’s final professional shift. During that postseason, Shaw added one goal and 12 points over 23 playoff games, although Detroit fell to the Chicago Wolves in the Turner Cup finals. In the 1998–99 season, Shaw scored ten goals and totaled 45 points in 61 games before signing an NHL contract with Ottawa on March 8 to provide defensive reinforcement. After being placed on waivers for a return to Detroit, he was claimed by the Washington Capitals on March 9 due to their defensive requirements.

Washington Capitals

Shaw returned to NHL action with the Washington Capitals during the 1998–99 campaign, appearing in four games without registering any points. His debut came on March 10 against the Florida Panthers, where he was on ice for Florida’s opening goal in a narrow 2–1 defeat. Shaw’s stint with Washington was short-lived; on March 18, 1999, he was traded along with an eighth-round draft pick to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a sixth-round draft selection.

St. Louis Blues

Finishing out the 1998–99 season with the St. Louis Blues, Shaw played in twelve games but did not record any points. His first game for St. Louis occurred on March 20, 1999, a 3–2 loss against his former team, Ottawa Senators. He participated in four playoff contests as the Blues were eliminated by the Dallas Stars during the second round of the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs. Shaw retired from professional play following that season.

International competition

Shaw took part in the 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in Leningrad, Soviet Union, representing Canada. Throughout seven games, he scored one goal and accumulated two points, helping Canada secure the bronze medal. Returning for the 1984 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Sweden as one of three veterans on the squad, Shaw contributed two points over seven matches, with Canada finishing in fourth place. Additionally, he appeared in four contests for Team Canada at the 1988 Izvestia Cup, where he recorded one goal.

Tampa Bay Lightning

During the 1999–2000 NHL season, Shaw took on the role of assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, working alongside head coach Steve Ludzik. He left the organization after completing one season.

Detroit Vipers

Shaw was appointed head coach of the Detroit Vipers in the IHL for the 2000–01 season under a two-year agreement. The team ended the season with a 23–53–6 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The league subsequently ceased operations following that year.

Springfield Falcons

He accepted a position as assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, serving under head coach Marc Potvin.

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

For the 2002–03 AHL season, Shaw was named head coach of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, succeeding Mike Babcock, who had advanced to an NHL role. The team finished with a 26–35–13–6 record and did not reach the postseason.

In the following 2003–04 season, Cincinnati posted a 29–37–13–1 record but managed to progress past the qualifying round by sweeping the Houston Aeros in two games. Their playoff run ended in a seven-game series loss to the Milwaukee Admirals during the first round.

The 2004–05 season saw Cincinnati improve to a 44–31–1-4 record and secure a playoff berth. They defeated Milwaukee in round one but were eliminated by the Chicago Wolves in round two.

New York Islanders

Shaw joined the coaching staff of the New York Islanders as an assistant under head coach Steve Stirling for the 2005–06 NHL season. After an 18–22–2 start, Stirling was dismissed, and Shaw was promoted to interim head coach on January 12, 2006. He secured a victory in his debut game against the Calgary Flames with a 3–2 score. The Islanders went 18–18–4 under Shaw’s guidance but ultimately missed playoff qualification. He was not retained when new head coach Ted Nolan took over.

St. Louis Blues

Beginning with the 2006–07 NHL season, Shaw served as an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues, initially under head coach Mike Kitchen. He continued on staff following Kitchen’s replacement by Andy Murray. Over a decade-long tenure, Shaw worked under coaches including Murray, Davis Payne, and Ken Hitchcock, earning recognition for his role in developing defensemen such as Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Columbus Blue Jackets

In June 2016, Shaw joined the coaching team of the Columbus Blue Jackets, assisting head coach John Tortorella. He filled the vacancy left by retiring assistant Craig Hartsburg.

Vancouver Canucks

In June 2021, Shaw was named assistant coach of the Vancouver Canucks, taking over the position previously held by Newell Brown.

Philadelphia Flyers

Shaw joined the Philadelphia Flyers as associate coach in July 2022, reuniting with John Tortorella. On March 12, 2024, during Tortorella's suspension, Shaw temporarily assumed head coaching duties and secured a 3–2 win against the San Jose Sharks. After Tortorella was relieved of his duties on March 27, 2025, Shaw was appointed interim head coach. His first game in this role took place on March 28, resulting in a 6–4 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens. He concluded the season with a record of 5–3–1.

New Jersey Devils

After the conclusion of the 2024–25 campaign, Shaw did not continue with the Flyers. General Manager Daniel Brière stated that Shaw opted not to enter discussions regarding a role on the staff under incoming head coach Rick Tocchet. Subsequently, on May 27, 2025, Shaw accepted the position of assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils, working alongside head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Personal life

Shaw's spouse, Mary, is an author known for the children's book collection Brady Brady, which draws inspiration from their son Brady, who also plays ice hockey.

Regular season and playoffs

... [table continues with remaining career statistics unchanged] ...

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1980–81	Kitchener Greenshirts	OMHA		62	14	58	72	14		—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	Ottawa 67's	OHL		68	13	59	72	24		15	1	13	14	4
1982–83	Ottawa 67's	OHL		63	12	66	78	24		9	2	9	11	4
1983–84	Ottawa 67's	OHL		68	11	71	82	75		13	2	27	29	9
1983–84	Ottawa 67's	M-Cup		—	—	—	—	—		5	1	4	5	2
1984–85	Binghamton Whalers	AHL		24	1	10	11	4		8	1	8	9	6
1984–85	Salt Lake Golden Eagles	IHL		44	3	29	32	25		—	—	—	—	—
1985–86	Hartford Whalers	NHL		8	0	2	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
1985–86	Binghamton Whalers	AHL		64	10	44	54	33		5	0	2	2	6
1986–87	Hartford Whalers	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
AHL totals				238	32	134	166	130		29	2	23	25	18
IHL totals				333	29	201	230	209		57	8	27	35	57
NHL totals				377	22	137	159	208		23	4	8	12	6

International

Year	Team	Tournament		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1983	Canada	WJC		7	1	1	2	2
1984	Canada	WJC		7	0	2	2	0
Junior career totals				14	1	3	4	2

Head coaching record

Team	Season	Regular season						Postseason
		GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	Standing	W	L	Win %	Outcome
NYI	2005–06*	40	18	18	4	(40)	4th in Atlantic	—	—	—	Did not qualify
PHI	2024–25*	9	5	3	1	(11)	8th in Metropolitan	—	—	—	Did not qualify
Overall totals		49	23	21	5			—	—	—

* – appointed during the season

External links

• Profile at hockeydraftcentral.com