TIGNISH, P.E.I. — T.J. Shea has scored everywhere he has played.
The right-winger looks to continue that this fall in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference when he pulls on the UPEI Panthers jersey.
The 21-year-old Tignish native takes the next step in his hockey career after posting some eye-popping numbers during his three-year career with the Billy McGuigan-coached Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals.
“I thought it would be best for me,” Shea said during a recent interview after finishing a day of lobster fishing. “I hope after a little bit (of time) I can settle in . . . and become an offensive player for them.”
Shea has produced offence every step along his hockey career.
He has basically been at least a point-per-game player dating back to his bantam days (the farthest back statistics could easily be found).
He had 39 points in his first season with the Capitals of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. He exploded in his sophomore year with 43 goals and 105 points in 48 games en route to being named the circuit’s top player. It was the highest points total recorded in the league in 13 years.
Despite dealing with a high-ankle sprain last season, the hard-working player, who is adept at scoring and setting up his teammates, recorded 26 goals and 64 points in 33 games while wearing the captain’s C.
“He can just flat-out score,” Panthers head coach Forbes MacPherson said, noting his average of a goal per game the last two seasons. “Not a point a game – a goal a game.”
Shea said he got comfortable with the junior circuit in his first season in Summerside and was lucky to play with good players in order to put up the offensive numbers.
“I gelled really well with Brodie MacArthur, and we found each other a lot out there,” he said.
When players have those types of seasons, teams in their league and at the next level take notice.
MacPherson said Shea had been on their radar for a few years.
“The real attractive thing about T.J. is nobody really knows how high his ceiling can be,” he said. “We feel that we’re going to be able to support him through his transition in adapting to AUS hockey. . . There’s potential for him to be a real high-end player in our league.”
His transition might be a little easier than some of his peers. Shea is from the Island, has almost three years of his business degree at UPEI done and knows a handful of his teammates for the upcoming season.
“There’s a lot of elements that play into a player’s transition into university,” MacPherson said. “When he’s already checked a bunch of boxes then he can really get dialed in on hockey and focus on taking his game to the next level.”
Shea said growing up he didn't think about playing hockey beyond junior.
“I always wanted to play for the Caps,” he said. “I never really thought I’d be good enough to play for UPEI. My goals weren’t really that high.”
To be able to reach the next level is exciting for him.
“The longer I can play hockey, the better. I love the game.”
Shea said he had inquiries from other teams. He listened and considered them but was pleased to continue studying and playing hockey in P.E.I.
“I kind of had my mind set on going there from the beginning.”
Related links
• Western Capitals name Shea captain
• Shea's Elite Prospects profile
Need to know
T.J. Shea
Who – A 21-year-old hockey player from Tignish.
The latest – He will continue his hockey career at UPEI after playing the past three seasons with the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals.
Size, position – Five-foot-11, 180-pound right-winger.
Parents – Lloyd and Cora Shea.
Statistics
Season Level GP G A Pts.
2018-19 Junior A 33 26 38 64
2017-18 Junior A 48 43 62 105
2016-17 Junior A 41 14 25 39
2015-16 Major midget 35 18 36 54
2014-15 Midget AAA 28 32 35 67
UPEI coach Forbes MacPherson – “He’s a very strong kid. He’s very competitive. He’s very passionate about hockey. Those are the things that we feel will help carry him at the next level of AUS hockey.”
West Prince pride – Shea becomes the latest in a long list of players from West Prince to play for the Panthers. It includes Mike MacIsaac, Jordan Knox and Darcy Ashley. “That end of the Island has been very good to us,” MacPherson said.
Incoming class – Shea joins forwards Jordan Maher (Charlottetown Islanders) and Jesse Sutton (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) as part of this year’s recruiting class. More Panthers additions are expected throughout the summer.