Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen posted a post-press conference profile of Red Wings free agent signing Shayne Gostisbehere:
Even Gostisbehere’s hockey start was unusual. He grew up in South Florida where his French father was a professional jai alai player. His older sister was a high level figure skater and Gostisbehere’s first memories of going to an ice rink were trying to find a place to sleep there when he accompanied his sister to her pre-dawn practices. Soon, he was always hanging out at the rink.
“I had a grandpa from Montreal, so that helped a lot,” Gostisbehere said. “He was a season ticket holder to the (Florida) Panthers and I went to every game as a kid. Just fell in love with the game.”
Union College was the only college that recruited him strongly. He was passed over in the NHL draft the first year he was eligible. Gostisbehere was undersized and scouts weren’t sure he was big enough to handle the rigors of the NHL.
But he proved himself with the Philadelphia Flyers, finishing second in the Calder Trophy voting after scoring 17 goals. He also enjoyed a 65-point season with the Flyers before falling out of favor there. Two strong seasons Arizona has restored his confidence. He also played impressively for the Carolina Hurricanes when he was dealt there before the trade deadline
“I’ll forever be grateful and thankful for the Coyotes organization giving me that opportunity over the last couple of years,” Gostisbehere said. “It’s spring-boarded me into the opportunity I got with Carolina.”
