| Born: | Apr 3, 1975 | Draft: | 1993 Bruins, 103rd Overall |
| Hometown: | Medford, Massachusetts | Position: | Centre |
| Known For: | 3x NCAA (Hockey East) Champion | Shoots: | Right |
| National Team: | United States | Current Status: | Retired |
Shawn Bates (born April 3, 1975) is a former American ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the New York Islanders during the 2007-2008 season. Drafted 103rd overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Bates joined the Bruins team 1997-98 season after completing his four-year commitment to Boston University. He spent his first two seasons split between Boston and their minor-league affiliate, but the following two seasons saw him as a scratch more often than not. The Massachusetts native played in 135 games for the Bruins, registering 14 goals and 14 assists, along with 44 penalty minutes. As a free agent in the summer, Bates signed with the Islanders, suiting up for his new team for the 2001-02 season
Bates spent six seasons with the Islanders, registering career-highs in goals, assists, and points when he amassed 52 points in 71 games. Perhaps his most infamous moment of his NHL career came in Game 4 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bates scored the Islanders’ first franchise penalty shot goal in the playoffs, effectively giving his team the lead that night, and ultimately winning the game. He received advice from captain Michael Peca, and the wise words paid off as Bates beat Maple Leafs’ netminder Curtis Joseph.
Internationally, Bates represented Team USA once at the 1995 World Junior Championship, scoring five goals and adding one assist in seven games. Injuries cut his 2007-08 season short, leading up to the Islanders placing him on waivers and buying out the remainder of his contract. Bates made appearances in the Finnish SM-Liiga and Latvian EBEL leagues, eventually calling it a career during the 2009-10 season.
Shawn Bates Statistics
Deeper Dive
- Top 5 Islanders Goals of All Time
- Islanders 12 Days of Hockeymas: 11 Defining Games in Franchise History
Staff History
- Medford High, USHS-MA (Head Coach) 2013-2020
Achievements
- 3x NCAA (Hockey East) Champion (1994, 1995, 1997)
- NCAA (Hockey East) All-Rookie Team (1994)
- NCAA (Championship) All-Tournament Team (1995)
- NCAA (Championship) Winner (1995)
- 2x AHL Player of the Week (March 1999, November 1999)