Shawn Antoski
Encyclopedia
Shawn Antoski is a retired Canadian professional
ice hockey
left winger
who played 8 seasons in the National Hockey League
in the 1990s.
Antoski played his junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League
with the North Bay Centennials
, and was selected by the Vancouver Canucks
in the first round (18th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft
, just ahead of future superstars Keith Tkachuk
and Martin Brodeur
.
Although his role was primarily that of an enforcer
, Antoski was noted for his skating ability, which was exceptional for a player of his size. While his offensive ability was very limited, his speed and size made him a fearsome forechecker and a heavy bodychecker. He was also an able fighter.
Antoski turned pro in 1990 and was assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals
, Vancouver's IHL farm team. He would spend most of the next three season toiling in minor pro, although he received a brief callup each year, playing in a total of 8 NHL games. He would finally establish himself as an NHL regular in the 1993–94, appearing in 55 games for the Canucks and recording 3 points and 190 penalty minutes. The highlight of his career would come in that year's playoffs, as Vancouver reached the Stanley Cup Finals
. Playing on a gritty fourth line with Tim Hunter and John McIntyre
, Antoski was a physical catalyst for the team and played probably the best hockey of his career.
Early in the 1994–95 season, Antoski was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers
for Josef Beranek
, and would again participate in a lengthy playoff run as Philadelphia reached the conference finals. In 1995–96, he would set career highs by appearing in 64 games and recording 204 PIM, and scored his first career playoff goal.
Antoski signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins
for the 1996–97 season, but only appeared in 13 games for the Penguins before being dealt to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
, and only appeared in 2 games for the Mighty Ducks before his season was ended due to injury. He returned to the Ducks the following season, but on November 24, 1997 he was involved in a serious car accident which left him with a compressed skull fracture
. While he recovered fully, it marked the end of his hockey career.
Antoski appeared in 183 NHL games, recording 3 goals and 8 points, along with 599 PIM. He also suited up for 36 playoff games, recording 4 points and 74 PIM.
His younger brother Shayne at 6' 4 200 lbs was a teammate in North Bay, and would also go on to a brief pro career, playing two seasons in the ECHL
.
Shawn resides today in the rural community of Madoc, Ontario.
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
left winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who played 8 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
in the 1990s.
Playing career
Antoski played minor hockey for the Don Mills Flyers Midgets of the MTHL in 1986-87 and was drafted in the 4th round (59th overall) of the 1987 OHL Priority Selection.Antoski played his junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
with the North Bay Centennials
North Bay Centennials
The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:...
, and was selected by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the first round (18th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft
1990 NHL Entry Draft
The 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft was the 28th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Vancouver Canucks at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 16, 1990...
, just ahead of future superstars Keith Tkachuk
Keith Tkachuk
Keith Matthew Tkachuk is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played for four teams and three franchises in his 19-year career. He is one of only four American-born players to score 500 goals, and is the sixth American player to score 1,000 points.- Playing career :Tkachuk began...
and Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
.
Although his role was primarily that of an enforcer
Enforcer (hockey)
Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter", "tough guy", or "goon". NHL players regarded as enforcers include Tiger Williams, Tony Twist, Bob Probert, Dave Semenko, Dave Schultz, Tie Domi, Dave Brown, Joey Kocur, Clark Gillies, Stu Grimson,...
, Antoski was noted for his skating ability, which was exceptional for a player of his size. While his offensive ability was very limited, his speed and size made him a fearsome forechecker and a heavy bodychecker. He was also an able fighter.
Antoski turned pro in 1990 and was assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
, Vancouver's IHL farm team. He would spend most of the next three season toiling in minor pro, although he received a brief callup each year, playing in a total of 8 NHL games. He would finally establish himself as an NHL regular in the 1993–94, appearing in 55 games for the Canucks and recording 3 points and 190 penalty minutes. The highlight of his career would come in that year's playoffs, as Vancouver reached the Stanley Cup Finals
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
. Playing on a gritty fourth line with Tim Hunter and John McIntyre
John McIntyre (ice hockey)
John McIntyre is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 351 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks....
, Antoski was a physical catalyst for the team and played probably the best hockey of his career.
Early in the 1994–95 season, Antoski was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for Josef Beranek
Josef Beránek
Josef Beránek is a professional ice hockey player. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, 78th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers. He has extensive professional playing experience, in both the Czech Republic, the AHL, and the NHL...
, and would again participate in a lengthy playoff run as Philadelphia reached the conference finals. In 1995–96, he would set career highs by appearing in 64 games and recording 204 PIM, and scored his first career playoff goal.
Antoski signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
for the 1996–97 season, but only appeared in 13 games for the Penguins before being dealt to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and only appeared in 2 games for the Mighty Ducks before his season was ended due to injury. He returned to the Ducks the following season, but on November 24, 1997 he was involved in a serious car accident which left him with a compressed skull fracture
Skull fracture
A skull fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in the skull usually occurring as a result of blunt force trauma. If the force of the impact is excessive the bone may fracture at or near the site of the impact...
. While he recovered fully, it marked the end of his hockey career.
Antoski appeared in 183 NHL games, recording 3 goals and 8 points, along with 599 PIM. He also suited up for 36 playoff games, recording 4 points and 74 PIM.
His younger brother Shayne at 6' 4 200 lbs was a teammate in North Bay, and would also go on to a brief pro career, playing two seasons in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
.
Shawn resides today in the rural community of Madoc, Ontario.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 | North Bay Centennials North Bay Centennials The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
52 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 163 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 1988–89 | North Bay Centennials | OHL | 57 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 201 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 24 | ||
| 1989–90 | North Bay Centennials | OHL | 59 | 25 | 31 | 56 | 201 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 17 | ||
| 1990–91 | Milwaukee Admirals Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
IHL | 62 | 17 | 7 | 24 | 330 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 1990–91 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Milwaukee Admirals | IHL | 52 | 17 | 16 | 33 | 346 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 20 | ||
| 1991–92 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
Hamilton Canucks Hamilton Canucks The franchise of the Hamilton Canucks was the top minor league affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks for two seasons in the American Hockey League. Today, the franchise is known as the Syracuse Crunch.... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
41 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 172 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 55 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 190 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | ||
| 1994–95 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 1995–96 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 64 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 204 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 28 | ||
| 1996–97 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 183 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 599 | 36 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 74 | ||||
Fights
- One of Antoski's most famous fights was on January 5, 1992, when he took on Steve MartinsonSteve MartinsonSteven Martinson is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He played in 50 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Minnesota North Stars over parts of four seasons...
during a Milwaukee Admirals-San Diego Gulls game. Martinson and Antoski went to the penalty box, then started yelling at each other until Martinson launched his water bottle at Antoski. Antoski climbed over the glass into Martinson's penalty box and proceeded to pummel him until referees could break up the fight.