By Bird Bouchard, Local Journalism Initiative
A Chatham-Kent Crush hockey player is taking her talents to the next level.
Allison Shaw, the daughter of Krista and Stephen Shaw of St. Joachim, Ont., and the granddaughter of Al Ure and Bev and Cathy Shaw (all of Ridgetown) is ready for the experience. The 17-year-old defenseman has committed to play ACHA Division I hockey next season for the Adrian College Bulldogs.
“I never thought this would happen, but as I continued playing, this is what I always wanted,” said Shaw.
The St. Joachim native was a Captain of the Midget ‘AA’ Crush last season. She said Adrian College (located in Adrian, Michigan) is the perfect school for her as it’s far enough away from home, but not too far from family.
“I went there last year for a game, and I just loved it right away,” said Shaw. “Ever since then, I’ve just been in touch with them (coaches).”
Shaw said location and proximity to home were important to her. Her grandparents have not missed a Sunday game in Chatham in more than three years.
“Both of my grandparents have been at every game on Sundays in Chatham for three or four years straight,” said Shaw. “They love watching me play, so I like playing for them.”
Shaw added her grandparents would also make all the other games they could, and sometimes, her grandparents would make road trips with her and her father, coming to tournaments and watch her play.
She added despite the distance and the border being closed, there are still several streams available for her grandparents and parents to watch her play.
The defenseman spent her early years playing hockey in Windsor and most recently, for the past few years, in a Chatham uniform. She is thankful for her coaches and the organizations for much of her development.
“I just love the coaches in Chatham, honestly,” said Shaw. “Her goal was always to get her players to the highest level that they wanted to be at, and it worked this time.”
Shaw, who will study criminology and social justice at Adrian College, is excited to take the next step in her hockey career.
“It will definitely be a big step, living on my own; you’re away from home over in a different country,” admitted Shaw. “I am excited to be playing at the next level. It is something I have been working towards my whole life, and I can’t wait to start.”
• The Thamesville Herald
