James Sheppard
- 2024 -
Athlete - Hockey
At age 4, I went on the ice for the first time. I cried until my dad took me off. I do not remember this, so I will take his word for it. I gave it a go a year later, and since then, I have loved the game of hockey. I grew up playing on First Lake, the Arena, and the Sackville Sports Stadium. I remember watching the older boys play after us and knowing that that is where I wanted to go. I will never forget the teams and teammates I played with for the Sackville Flyers.
Playing tons of street hockey on Cabot Crescent with my two best friends, Andy and Smitty, helped me hone my skills on the ice. I moved on to play with the Subways on a talented team and then went on to three seasons with the Screaming Eagles. We had an incredible team in my third year but fell short. Hard work, dedication, and passion guided me to be the first overall pick in the QMJHL, the ninth overall pick in the NHL, and to overcome a probable career ending knee injury. When I was nineteen, I was introduced to the National Hockey League playing with the Minnesota Wild. The NHL was a beast of a league. Being young and playing hockey with the best players in the world, I learned so much about hockey and the game of life. I will never forget my time with the Wild, the San Jose Sharks, and the New York Rangers. I played with the best players in the world, Hall of Famers, and incredible people. Scoring in the NHL playoffs against the LA Kings was an experience that was worth all the struggle in the world.
Playing eight years in Europe was an incredible experience that I would not trade for anything. My wife and I had a wonderful adventure. Winning the Spengler Cup twice for Team Canada was extraordinary.
Thanks to everyone along the way, and to my parents who chose that house on Cabot Crescent. Thanks to my family – John, Wendy, and Megan, and to my wife Abigail, I could not have done it without you. Sackville, you will always be my home.