Career Timeline of Brendan Shanahan: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Brendan Shanahan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Brendan Shanahan is a Canadian American former professional ice hockey player and executive. Drafted second overall in 1987, he played for the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. After his playing career, Shanahan served as the director of player safety for the NHL. Most recently, he served as the president and alternate governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but his contract will expire in June 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1955: First Stanley Cup Since 1955

In 1997, the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup since 1955.

1987: Drafted by New Jersey Devils

In 1987, Brendan Shanahan was drafted by the New Jersey Devils second overall in the NHL entry draft.

1987: First Season with New Jersey Devils

In 1987–88, Brendan Shanahan played his rookie season with the New Jersey Devils.

1988: Rookie Season with the Devils

During his rookie season in 1987–88, Brendan Shanahan, aged 18, scored 26 points in 65 games for the New Jersey Devils.

1990: Final Year with Devils

During his fourth and final year of his initial stint with the Devils in 1990–91, Brendan Shanahan scored 29 goals and 66 points.

1990: Free Agent After Season

Following the 1990–91 season, Brendan Shanahan became a free agent.

1990: Departure from and Return to the Devils

The time between Shanahan's departure from and return to the Devils was 17 years, 294 days, the longest gap in tenure with one team in NHL history in 1990

July 25, 1991: Signed by the St. Louis Blues

On July 25, 1991, Brendan Shanahan became a free agent and was signed by the St. Louis Blues, leading to a compensation dispute with the New Jersey Devils.

1991: Canada Cup Championship

In 1991, Brendan Shanahan won a Canada Cup championship while competing for Canada.

1992: Continued Production with the Blues

In the 1992–93 season with the St. Louis Blues, Brendan Shanahan continued producing offensively, scoring 51 goals and 94 points in 71 games.

1993: Improved Season with the Blues

In the 1992-1993 season, Shanahan scored 51 goals and 94 points in 71 games.

1994: Career Season with the Blues

During the 1993–94 season, Brendan Shanahan achieved personal bests of 52 goals, 50 assists, and 102 points, leading the St. Louis Blues in points. He was also named to the 1994 NHL All-Star Game at mid-season and the NHL first All-Star team at the end of the year.

1994: Played in DEL during Lockout

During the 1994–95 NHL lockout, Brendan Shanahan played three games for Düsseldorf EG of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

1994: Gold Medal at World Championships

In 1994, Brendan Shanahan won a gold medal while competing for Canada at the World Championships.

July 27, 1995: Traded to Hartford Whalers

On July 27, 1995, Brendan Shanahan was traded to the Hartford Whalers from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Chris Pronger, becoming the team captain.

1995: Continued with Blues after Lockout

In 1995, after the NHL lockout ended, Brendan Shanahan continued to play well for the Blues, recording 41 points in the lockout-shortened season and leading the team in scoring during the playoffs.

October 9, 1996: Traded to Detroit Red Wings

On October 9, 1996, just two games into the 1996–97 season, Brendan Shanahan was traded by the Hartford Whalers, along with Brian Glynn, to the Detroit Red Wings for Keith Primeau, Paul Coffey, and a first-round draft pick.

1996: Finished Season

In 1996, Brendan Shanahan finished off the 1996–97 season with the Detroit Red Wings.

1997: Stanley Cup Win with Detroit

In 1997, Brendan Shanahan contributed to the Detroit Red Wings' Stanley Cup victory, their first since 1955.

1997: First Stanley Cup with Red Wings

In 1997, Brendan Shanahan won his first Stanley Cup championship while playing with the Detroit Red Wings.

1997: Third Cup Since 1997

The team was primed to win its third Cup since 1997

1998: Second Stanley Cup with Red Wings

In 1998, Brendan Shanahan won his second Stanley Cup championship with the Detroit Red Wings.

1999: Playoff Elimination

Entering the 1999 playoffs as the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, with Brendan Shanahan, were eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche.

2000: All-Star Team Selection

After a resurgent season, Brendan Shanahan was named to the first All-Star team for the second time in his career in 2000.

2001: Playoff Upset

In the 2000–01 season, Shanahan scored 76 points, but the Detroit Red Wings were upset in the first round of the 2001 playoffs by the Los Angeles Kings.

January 12, 2002: 1,000th NHL Point

On January 12, 2002, Brendan Shanahan recorded his 1,000th point in the NHL after scoring two goals against Marty Turco in a 4–2 victory over the Dallas Stars.

2002: Third Stanley Cup with Red Wings

In 2002, Brendan Shanahan secured his third Stanley Cup championship while playing for the Detroit Red Wings.

2002: Gold Medal at Winter Olympics

In 2002, Brendan Shanahan won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics while competing for Canada.

2004: Shanahan Summit

After a one-year absence due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Shanahan showed yet another return to form in 2005–06, tallying an impressive 40 goals and 81 points, third among Red Wings in scoring.

2005: Expressed a desire to move

After completing a successful nine-year stay in Detroit, Shanahan expressed a desire to move on in his NHL career in 2005

2005: Lockout Absence

Shanahan had a one-year absence due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout

October 5, 2006: 600th Career Goal

On October 5, 2006, Brendan Shanahan scored his 599th and 600th career goals against Olaf Kölzig in a 5–3 win for the New York Rangers against the Washington Capitals, becoming the 15th player in NHL history to reach the 600-goal mark.

2007: Re-Signed to another one-year contract

After re-signing to another one-year contract with the Rangers in 2007, Shanahan struggled to produce offensively as his points total dipped to just 46 points in 2007–08, his lowest total since his rookie season in 1987–88.

2008: Sitting Out the Season

Unable to come to terms with the Rangers, Shanahan sat out the first half of the 2008–09 season.

January 10, 2009: Agreed to Join New Jersey Devils

On January 10, 2009, it was announced that Brendan Shanahan agreed to join the New Jersey Devils for his second stint with the team.

August 5, 2009: Agreed to One-Year Deal with Devils

On August 5, 2009, Brendan Shanahan agreed to a one-year deal with the New Jersey Devils, returning for a 22nd season to play during the 2009–10 season.

October 1, 2009: Parted Ways with Devils

On October 1, 2009, the New Jersey Devils and Brendan Shanahan parted ways after he felt he could not compete at the level he expected of himself.

November 17, 2009: Retirement Announcement

On November 17, 2009, Brendan Shanahan officially announced his retirement after 21 years in the NHL.

December 2009: Accepts Offer from NHL

In December 2009, Brendan Shanahan accepted an offer from the NHL to become the NHL's vice president of hockey and business development. He was excited about the wide-open opportunity to learn the business of hockey, with his role varying between hockey-specific and business/marketing-specific tasks.

2010: World Hockey Summit Speech

In 2010, Shanahan spoke at the World Hockey Summit, emphasizing the importance of making youth hockey fun to improve skill development without kids realizing they are improving.

June 1, 2011: Succeeds Colin Campbell as NHL Senior VP

On June 1, 2011, Shanahan succeeded Colin Campbell as the NHL's senior vice president, taking over the role of reviewing plays and providing rulings. He posted videos to the NHL's official Website explaining the rulings.

April 11, 2014: Named President and Alternate Governor of Toronto Maple Leafs

On April 11, 2014, Shanahan was officially announced as the Toronto Maple Leafs' president and alternate governor, overseeing all operations for the hockey club. On the same day, it was announced that Stéphane Quintal would succeed him as the NHL's chief disciplinarian.

2014: Joins Maple Leafs

In 2014, Shanahan joined a Toronto Maple Leafs franchise that had only qualified for the playoffs once in the previous 10 years.

April 12, 2015: Fires Coaching and Scouting Staff

On April 12, 2015, Shanahan fired interim coach Peter Horachek and the rest of the coaching staff, in addition to GM Dave Nonis and several members of the team's scouting staff, after a poor season.

May 20, 2015: Hiring of Mike Babcock

On May 20, 2015, the Maple Leafs announced the hiring of Mike Babcock as the team's new head coach. Babcock agreed to an 8-year, $50 million contract, becoming the highest paid coach in NHL history.

July 24, 2015: Hiring of Lou Lamoriello

On July 24, 2015, the Maple Leafs hired Lou Lamoriello to serve as the team's general manager.

2016: Maple Leafs Made Playoffs

Entering the 2016-17 season, expectations were low for the Maple Leafs. However, the team surprised many, unexpectedly making the playoffs.

2016: Draft Auston Matthews

In 2016, the Maple Leafs won the top pick in the NHL draft and drafted Auston Matthews with that pick.

2017: Lamoriello Left the Organization

At the end of the 2017-18 season, Lou Lamoriello left the Maple Leafs organization for the New York Islanders.

2018: John Tavares Joins Maple Leafs

In free agency in 2018, star center John Tavares joined the Maple Leafs on a 7-year contract.

November 2019: Firing of Mike Babcock

In November 2019, Shanahan approved Kyle Dubas' decision to fire Mike Babcock amidst a poor start to the season, and Sheldon Keefe was hired to replace him.

2023: Series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning

In 2023, Shanahan and Dubas achieved series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, finally advancing to the second round of the postseason.

May 22, 2025: End of Shanahan's Presidency

On May 22, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Brendan Shanahan's time as president and alternate governor for the team would end upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June 2025.

June 2025: Contract Expiration

Brendan Shanahan's contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he served as president and alternate governor, is set to expire at the end of June 2025.