The Minnesota Wild’s game in Las Vegas on April 3, 2023, was typical of their road trip. Mason Shaw, a rookie forward, was playing in his 59th NHL game after starting the season in Iowa.
He had broken through for the first time in his difficult hockey career. A full season in the NHL after overcoming three surgically repaired ACLs in his career. Shaw’s season ended that night at T-Mobile Arena with his fourth ACL tear, and the 25-year-old recognized it right away.
“I’ve seen other people tear thier ACLs and they’re able to skate off or walk off the field court, whatever it may be” , said Mason Shaw. “I remember doing all three of my previous ones,” but this one was different. “I felt like I’d been shot in the knee.
“And just knowing the emotion, it’s almost as if everything stops and becomes quiet. And you’re just like, ‘not again’.”
Shaw’s right ACL was ruptured for the second time, and he required four ACL surgeries in all. It was his third ACL tear while with the Minnesota Wild, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
There is never a good time for anything bad to happen, and for Shaw, the fourth time around was probably the most difficult.
“I had finally reached a point in my career where I was playing in the NHL” , Shaw said. “I felt like I’d have a nice foot in the door and have a successful season with the Wild. The injury before the playoffs was heartbreaking.
“And also, the severity of the injuries. I did a lot to my knee at that time. “You know, I probably blew it up more than I ever have.”
The rehabilitation period began following the surgery.
“I put everything I had into this treatment procedure. I spent the summer in the cities. There were many days when I went to the rink by myself or with the trainers for extended periods of time.”
“I’m just a carbon copy of where I came from, who I surround myself with back home, our livelihood, and my parents,” Shaw proudly stated. “We all work in the gas and cattle industries. Every day, you are confronted with some unpleasant realities. Sometimes your body hurts, or the weather isn’t always beautiful or easy to get up in the morning. But I just focused on the bright spots.”
One of the shining spots was Des Moines, Iowa. A place where Shaw has spent the majority of his professional hockey career. It has also been the location of several successful comebacks for the former Iowa Wild captain.
“I’m with a great group here,” added the Wild forward. “I mean, one thing that has been extremely beneficial to me is that I am very familiar with the coaching staff, the organization, and the players here. It’s been a smooth transition for me to move to Iowa and attempt to find my game.”
Shaw hopes to resume his professional career where it left off before the interruption.
“Obviously, last year was amazing,” he says, grinning. “I learned a lot from my time in the NHL last year. I know that’s where I want to go back and play.
Shaw, who was active and driven, responded in the same way he had throughout his prior three rehabs. The tough forward responded with a resounding and inspiring display of resilience.
His teammates observe him striving hard to get back. Minnesota drafted forward Adam Beckman the following year, after Shaw. He is well aware of the difficulties his teammate has had to face on several occasions.
“It’s remarkable that he’s gone through that,” Beckman said. “But just to come back and be the player and person he is, it’s inspiring for younger people to see someone accomplish it. You develop so much respect for him when you see the adversity he’s going through and how he manages it, and how he keeps coming back.
His teammates observe him striving hard to get back. Minnesota drafted forward Adam Beckman the following year, after Shaw. He is well aware of the difficulties his teammate has had to face on several occasions.
“It’s remarkable that he’s gone through that,” Beckman said. “But just to come back and be the player and person he is, it’s inspiring for younger people to see someone accomplish it. You develop so much respect for him when you see the adversity he’s going through and how he manages it, and how he keeps coming back.
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