'Late Bloomer' Shields Ready to Deliver

By Russell Levine
NHL.com

Steve Shields

Shields has improved steadily over the last four years.

NEW YORK (September 14, 1999) - In today's National Hockey League, where 18-year-old rookies are no longer uncommon, there is still room for the occasional late bloomer.

Take San Jose Sharks goalie Steve Shields.

After starting for four years at the University of Michigan and setting an NCAA record for career victories (since surpassed by Dallas Stars' backup and fellow Wolverine Marty Turco), Shields, by his own admission, still wasn't ready for the spotlight of the NHL.

Originally a fifth-round choice of the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, Shields began his professional career with South Carolina of the East Coast Hockey League in 1994-95. Later that year he was promoted to Rochester of the American Hockey League, where he led the Americans to the Calder Cup Championship in 1996. Shields played in two games for the Sabres that season, and split the next two years between Buffalo and Rochester before being traded to San Jose for the 1998-99 campaign.

Shields saw the most extensive action of his career in 1998-99, and he did not disappoint, finishing with a 15-11-8 record in 37 games. He also recorded four shutouts and a strong 2.22 goals-against average, the lowest of his career.

Shields' strong play earned him the right to start one of San Jose's playoff games in a first-round loss to Colorado. Like the Sharks, who have increased their point totals each of the last four seasons, Shields has shown steady improvement, and big things are expected of him in the upcoming year.

In four years in the NHL, Shields has certainly had excellent opportunities to learn by example. In Buffalo, he played behind Dominik Hasek; in San Jose, he has backed up Mike Vernon.

Steve Shields

Shields has learned from playing behind Dominik Hasek and Mike Vernon.

Because of Hasek's quiet nature, Shields said he learned more by watching the "Dominator" than by talking to him. Still, he is quick to point out they worked well together.

Vernon takes the opposite approach.

"Verny is much more of a talker," said Shields, who adds that the two have both a healthy relationship and a healthy competition for playing time.

When you don't have much NHL experience, it can be difficult competing for a starting position with a 36-year-old veteran that has led two different teams to Stanley Cup championships.

"Mike doesn't feel threatened by me," said Shields. "He's very secure. I'm looking to earn my playing time and to play well when I get in there.

"My workload is to be determined," he continued. "It will be dictated by how well I play. Mike and I have a good competition going, and whoever is playing better is going to get the ice time," said Shields, who adds that no matter who's starting, he and Vernon will support each other.

Shields is not oblivious to the increased expectations for both himself and the team. He has set some pretty lofty goals.

"Our goal is to be substantially above .500 and get home ice for the playoffs," said Shields. As for personal goals, "I just want the opportunity to play and to play well," he said. "I don't really set goals as far as the numbers are concerned. I mean, I know what I'm capable of."

Steve Shields

Shields expects to compete with Vernon for the starting job in 1999-2000.

Last year, the Sharks were seen as an up-and-coming team that wasn't ready to be legitimate threat to Western Conference powers Dallas, Detroit and Colorado. Shields is hoping this year will be different.

"I think it's such a fine line," he said. "We've added some players like Vincent Damphousse and Niklas Sundstrom, and those are two guys that can help get us deep into the playoffs. One or two players can be the difference. I think everything's in place here for us to be successful."

Shields is also excited about the possibility of being part of a winner in San Jose. After playing in such traditional hockey hotbeds as Michigan and Buffalo, Shields has found that San Jose -- despite being one of the NHL's newer markets -- more than holds its own.

"The fans are great," said the Toronto native. "We sell out almost every game and the fans are getting more knowledgeable every year. It's a great place to play."

Now 27 and poised for the first time to challenge for a starting job in the NHL, Shields has no regrets about the long road he has traveled through college and the minor leagues.

"[College hockey] is really good for guys who are late bloomers, like myself, who need a little more time to develop," he said. "I even needed some time after that -- I still wasn't ready."

Shields' college coach, former NHL player and coach Red Berenson, agrees that the collegiate route was probably a wise choice. "It helps prepare you for life after hockey as well as life in hockey," Berenson said. "I think Steve Shields would be a good example of that."

Beyond just developing him for hockey, Shields said he wouldn't trade the experiences of his college years -- both on and off the ice -- for anything, and he hasn't forgotten. When Michigan's Yost Ice Arena needed funds for a major refurbishing, Shields was one of several former players to contribute.

For the Sharks to enjoy playoff success this season, they too will be counting on a contribution from Steve Shields.