In 19 games this season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Shea has 37 blocked shots, recorded 8 assists and is a plus-18 overall. With a matchup this weekend against top-ranked University of Massachusetts Amherst on the docket, and ahead of the 2019 Beanpot, he took a few minutes to chat with the Globe.
During the 2015-16 season in Youngstown, you suffered a pretty bad injury. How did you overcome that and, at the same time, try to improve?
ONE: I broke my collarbone twice. The second time I was really disappointed with myself, but I think that helped me grow as a player and as a person, and I think even though I couldn't skate or do everything that all the boys did, I still had to show up at the rink every day, ready to go for rehab or whatever was on the agenda that day, just to try to get back into the lineup as quickly as possible.
How was the USHL experience?
ONE: At first it was a bit strange, you go out there and live with obviously not your real family, a family brings you in and treats you like their own. It was nice and a little bit different, but once you get comfortable, I'd say at the end of the first month, it was like being a pro.
You are alone, you are only with the guys on the team, you go to the rink for practice. I did school out there so I had to do that too. It's pretty much treating yourself like a pro out there and maturing along the way.
Describe the day you were selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Draft?
ONE: Probably one of the best days of my life so far. I watched it alone in my basement, but as soon as my name appeared on that board, I started interacting with my family, all my friends came around. We are very close [Milton native] Keith Yandle of the Florida Panthers, so he came and there was a little celebration. It was a special day.
What's it like to stay in your hometown and be part of a top program?
ONE: One of the best reasons is to have your family come and watch every game. I mean I don't think my dad has ever missed a game. He even came out to Michigan State when we played out there my freshman year, so I think that's definitely something special, with my aunts and uncles and brothers too. That was definitely the number one reason I chose Northeastern and because of my relationship with the coaches. Coach [Jim] Madigan is also a Milton guy, so I knew him beforehand and just thought they could bring the best out of me and develop my skills for the next level.
Northeastern is coming off its first Beanpot win in 30 years. What's the mindset this year?
ONE: Now that we have that one win under our belt, we know what it takes and we have a bunch of veterans that were here last year. . . . It's single game elimination, so you have to give it your all at every point during the tournament.
Your dad played hockey at BC, is there a rivalry there?
ONE: No. I just thought Northeastern was the best fit and respected that – it was my decision. He has his legacy there and I kind of wanted to build my own, so I chose a school like that. I definitely joke with him because he was at BC for four years and was in the Beanpot championship many times but never won.
What is the hardest course you are taking right now?
ONE: I'm a business management major so I just took MIS which is Management Information Systems so I would definitely say that or business statistics so far is the hardest I've done.
Your dream job?
ONE: I want to play hockey as much as I can. I think an entrepreneur from Northeastern will set me up for a good opportunity. I think I'm an open-minded kid. . . . I'm just trying to get the best grades because obviously hockey isn't always right for people.
Thomas Herron can be reached at thomas.herron@globe.com.
