Allan Shields

Last updated
Allan Shields
Born(1907-05-10)May 10, 1907
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Died September 24, 1975(1975-09-24) (aged 68)
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Ottawa Senators
Philadelphia Quakers
New York Americans
Montreal Maroons
Boston Bruins
Playing career 19271942

John Allan Shields (May 10, 1907 - September 24, 1975) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Quakers, New York Americans, Montreal Maroons and Boston Bruins between 1927 and 1938. [1]

Contents

Playing career

During the 1934–35 NHL season Shields won the Stanley Cup Championship with the Montreal Maroons.

Awards and achievements

Shields played in the longest game in NHL history: Montreal Maroons vs. Detroit Red Wings, March 1936.

In 1934 he was selected to the first NHL All-Star team ever assembled.

In 1930/31 he along with Syd Howe and Wally Kilrea were loaned from Ottawa to the Philadelphia Quakers to help liven up the team and attract more Quaker fans. Philly was in bad financial shape at the time and needed greater attendance to survive. With the assistance of Shields and company their games became "quite exciting", culminating with a Christmas Day game when the entire Philadelphia police force were called to quell a near riot. With the onset of the Depression, the team folded the following year. The Quakers set another near NHL record for games lost, however they were one of the more "lively" teams of the time.

On a couple of occasions during his career, he had to fill in as a goalie. In those days no spare goalie was available and if the one and only was injured during a game one of the players had to fill-in.

He played in the American Hockey League (the primary farm teams of the NHL) for the Washington Lions, Buffalo Bisons and the New Haven Eagles from 1938 to 1942. He served as playing coach for Washington and then enlisted in the RCAF. Shields was selected to All-Star teams twice during his AHL career

During his service in the airforce he was playing coach for the RCAF Sabres stationed in Arnprior, Ontario.

After the war, "Big Pete" went on to Referee in the AHL from 1946 to 1948 and then hung up his skates permanently.

He played a total of 457 game in professional hockey in the days when bus and train were the only means of transport.

Shields was reported in the media at the time, as "a clean, rugged player" and "one of the most valuable defensemen in the entire league". King Clancy who was best man at Shields' wedding, had nothing but praise for his ability as a defenseman.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1927–28Ottawa Montagnards OCHL 1560640000
1927–28 New Haven Eagles Can-Am 50000
1927–28 Ottawa Senators NHL 7011220000
1927–28 Ottawa Montagnards Al-Cup 20000
1928–29 Ottawa SenatorsNHL4201110
1928–29 St. Louis Flyers AHA 61122
1929–30 Ottawa SenatorsNHL446393220000
1930–31 Philadelphia Quakers NHL43731098
1931–32 New York Americans NHL4841545
1932–33 Ottawa SenatorsNHL487411119
1933–34 Ottawa SenatorsNHL47471144
1934–35 Montreal Maroons NHL4248124570116
1935–36 Montreal MaroonsNHL452798130006
1936–37 New York AmericansNHL2730379
1936–37 Boston Bruins NHL180441530002
1937–38 Montreal MaroonsNHL48571267
1938–39 New Haven Eagles IAHL 2522417
1939–40 New Haven EaglesIAHL4559142630222
1940–41 New Haven Eagles AHL 48916255920002
1940–41 Buffalo Bisons AHL30000
1941–42 Washington Lions AHL51310132420000
1942–43Arnprior RCAFOVHL846101620114
1943–44Arnprior RCAFOVHL51346
NHL totals4594246886371701114

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References

  1. "All-time roster for the New York Americans". Bov.ch. Retrieved January 15, 2020.