Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw retiring at 29 because of concussions
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April 26, 2021, 1:09 PM
7 min read
Chicago Blackhawks veteran forward Andrew Shaw is retiring from the NHL, after doctors "highly recommended" he stop playing to care for his long-term health after several concussions.
"I want people to know that I'm OK," Shaw told ESPN. "I'm in a good place. But I'm going to miss it, I'm going to miss it like crazy still."
Shaw, 29, was in his second stint with Chicago, where he won Stanley Cups in 2013 and 2015. Over his 10-year, 544-game NHL career, Shaw also played three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.
However, the winger -- known for his gritty, physical style -- has been plagued by head injuries. A concussion Shaw sustained in November 2019 kept him off the ice for 14 months.
Shaw entered this season feeling optimistic and rejuvenated. But in February, Shaw was elbowed in the head during a game against Dallas and diagnosed with another concussion.
"I know I only played 14 games [this season] but to work your way back, when people are telling you that you should be done, and people are doubting you could make it back, it was worth it." Shaw said. "I took my time, I made sure I was feeling 100%. And then to score a few goals at the UC [United Center] again, it was worth it. I wouldn't change it at all."
Recently, doctors told Shaw it was in his long-term best interest not to try another comeback.
"Andrew suffered another concussion on February 9 against the Dallas Stars," said Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry. "Though he has recovered, given the potential long-term consequences of repetitive concussions, we have advised him to discontinue his career as a professional hockey player. The Blackhawks are very supportive of his decision to prioritize his long-term health."
When Shaw heard the recommendation, he said his "stomach just sunk, I felt my heart pounding, obviously it was super disappointing and sad."
"At the same time, there was a little bit of relief as well," Shaw said. "As the type of person I am, I would continue playing until I was dead. I hate letting my teammates down, hate letting the organization down, hate letting fans, my friends and family down. I would keep pushing and battling through injury after injury to the point where there probably would be no return. I'm so thankful I have a wife and kids -- another part of my life that would make me happy in the same way hockey kept me happy for most of my life."
Shaw said he was in a vicious cycle of "clawing, fighting back" from concussions just to feel normal. Once he was normal, he only wanted to play hockey again.
"Me being the player I am, I play physical, I play on the edge, and I put myself in vulnerable positions because I'm just so competitive because I want to win, and I push my body to those limits," Shaw said. "But then another concussion would happen, and I'd be back in that dark hole again. The last four years, I felt like I was just clawing."
Shaw said the lowest he felt was while sidelined his first season with Montreal, in 2016-17.
"My state of mind in my head, and what I was going through, depression, anxiety, that was tough," he said.
Shaw didn't want to shy away from talking about the mental health effects of having concussions.
"It's important for everyone to talk about it," he said. "You read about boxers, UFC fighters, football players, what they go through. We're all contact sports, and the head is a fragile thing. It can alter your chemical balance, it can alter your hormones, it can physically change you as a person if you don't take care of it. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a loving family. My agent did everything he could for me. The medical teams on teams I played for made sure I could get help from whoever I needed, whoever I wanted. I've seen more doctors than I ever want to see again in the last four years, but that was the work that needed to be done."
Shaw continued: "I don't think it's done now. I think it's something I'll continue to work on from time to time. I'm a gym rat, I love being in the gym. That helps my mental health as well, with stress, anxiety, depression. So I'll probably be in the gym five days a week for the rest of my life."
As of now, Shaw said he would not be cleared for contact. He skated a few times since February, but has felt "super nauseous and dizzy out there, so that's something we've been working on in-house."
Asked what he'd like to do next, Shaw said he plans on spending the next year with his wife, Chaunette, and their children, Andy and Dax.
