HAWKS THRILLED SHAW IS BACK
Winger says feeling is mutual after stint with canadiens
None of winger Andrew Shaw’s old Blackhawks teammates could hide their excitement about having him back.
Sure, Shaw is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He had a career-high 47 points last season and was a goal away from matching his career high of 20, which he set with the Hawks during the 2013-14 season.
But what many of his teammates missed and are happy to have back is the infectious energy he brings, on and off the ice.
‘‘The season gets dragged out, [and] you’re in some dark cities [with] snow and weather and all that kind of stuff,’’ defenseman Brent Seabrook said during the Hawks’ annual convention Friday at the Hilton Chicago. ‘‘And then a guy like [Shaw] really brings that energy, that fire. He’s probably over my shoulder right now, poking me.’’
Shaw returns to the Hawks a more mature and experienced version of the onice irritant who helped them capture Stanley Cup titles in 2013 and 2015.
But make no mistake about it: Even though he’s older and wiser, he hasn’t changed. He said he’s still the same guy and will bring the same noise in the locker room he used to.
‘‘I’m still going to have a lot of fun,’’ Shaw said. ‘‘I’ll still annoy guys from time to time, but it’s all fun and games. I have grown up. I’m older, I’m married, I have a lovely daughter and she’s made me change even more. But I’m still the same guy.’’
Captain Jonathan Toews said the Hawks understood what they were losing when they traded Shaw to the Canadiens after the 2015-16 season for two second-round picks.
Toews said Shaw is the kind of person who would run through a brick wall for his teammates.
‘‘He’s one of those guys you love to have on your team,’’ Toews said.
Winger Patrick Kane recalled a conversation he and Shaw had over dinner in Chicago before Shaw was traded back to the Hawks.
‘‘I remember him saying to me [that] if he got traded to one place, he’d want to come back to Chicago,’’ Kane said. ‘‘We’re fortunate it worked out and happy to have him back because he is such a great kid and brings a lot on the ice, as well. His game’s getting better and better, too, and probably better than we’d last seen him here in Chicago. He’ll definitely be able to help us out.’’
Shaw said he kept up with the Hawks and always had an eye out for how they were doing. He said it was tough to see them go from perennial contenders to missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
Shaw said the Hawks must recapture the success they had when he was last on the team and indicated he thinks their offseason moves will help.
‘‘They’ve made some great moves, getting tougher, grittier, stronger on the back end,’’ Shaw said. ‘‘I think everyone’s excited, and [it] has that buzz feeling. I think everyone’s ready for the season to start.’’