Shaun Heshka

Shaun Heshka
Born	July 30, 1985 (1985-07-30) Melville, SK, CAN
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
AHL team Former teams	Peoria Rivermen Phoenix Coyotes
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2006–present

Shaun Heshka (born July 30, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.

Playing career

Heshka played his junior years for the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Upon completing his time with the Silvertips, Heshka was signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a three-year entry level contract on July 24, 2006. In his professional debut season in 2006–07, Heska played with the Canucks affiliates, the Manitoba Moose and the Victoria Salmon Kings. Following two strong and productive seasons with the Moose in the American Hockey League, Heska's rights were traded by the Canucks to the Phoenix Coyotes at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on June 27, 2009.

On July 3, 2010, Heska signed a one-year contract to remain with the Coyotes. Shaun was initially assigned to the Coyotes AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage to start the 2009–10 season.

After leading the Rampage defense in scoring, Heshka received his first recall from the Coyotes on November 6, 2009. He made his NHL debut the following night, in a tight game with the Anaheim Ducks on November 7. On November 12, Heshka brought home his first career NHL point, an critical assist on a Paul Bissonnette goal, in a 4-2 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens. After 8 games and 2 assists with the Coyotes, he was then re-assigned to the Rampage after a number of Coyotes players returned from injuries.

Unable to reach an agreement or be traded, the restricted North American was forced to play overseas. He signed with EC Red Bull Salzburg team on September 6, 2010. The 25 year old will remain restricted throughout the 2010/2011 season to the Phoenix Coyotes. He went on to play a critical defensive roll in the Red Bulls spectacular 2011 season, securing his position as a team leader in the overtime championship win in game 7 of the series final.

Shaun is married to his long time Canadian girlfriend Laura Hudson.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002–03	Melville Millionaires	SJHL		53	6	14	20	53		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Everett Silvertips	WHL		66	3	7	10	25		21	0	2	2	8
2004–05	Everett Silvertips	WHL		72	12	26	38	21		11	2	0	2	6
2005–06	Everett Silvertips	WHL		66	10	49	59	91		14	3	10	13	10
2006–07	Manitoba Moose	AHL		57	2	4	6	14		7	0	0	0	8
2006–07	Victoria Salmon Kings	ECHL		3	0	1	1	4		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Manitoba Moose	AHL		77	9	21	30	59		6	0	1	1	4
2008–09	Manitoba Moose	AHL		77	3	23	26	25		22	0	5	5	12
2009–10	San Antonio Rampage	AHL		73	7	26	33	34		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		8	0	2	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				8	0	2	2	4		—	—	—	—	—

External links

• Shaun Heshka's career stats at Eliteprospects.com
• Shaun Heshka's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database