Steve Shields: Guardian of the Net
Steve was named co-winner (along with Mike Vernon) of the Seagate
Technology Sharks Player of the Year, which is awarded to the player contributing
the most to the success of the Sharks for the 1998-99 season. Together, the
goaltending duo led the Sharks to the fifth-best goals against average in the league
(2.28) and a franchise record for fewest goals allowed (191). Steve was named NHL
Player of the Week for the week of March 8- 14, 1999 by posting a 3-0-0 record and
a 1.33 GAA and earned the Seagate Technology Sharks Player of the Month award
for March (6-1-2 record, 2.31 GAA and .924 save percentage). Hešs a chess nut,
playing often in his spare time. Stevešs spectacular diving save against St. Louis (on
Feb. 11) last season was named the 1998-99 Pacific Bell Play of the Year in voting
among Sharks fans. "Shieldsy" posted his first career shutout vs. Vancouver on Dec.
26, 1998, stopping all 25 Vancouver shots on goal. On Nov. 6, 1998 at Anaheim,
he established career highs in saves (45) and shots faced (47). Steve spends part of
his summers in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he was the goaltender for the University of
Michigan (1990-94). Every summer, he and several Michigan alumni who play pro
hockey conduct a week-long skating camp. His favorite NHL city to play in is New
York. Steve took piano lessons as a youngster, but passed on his musical prowess to further his hockey career. While
Steve was growing up, his favorite hockey player was former goaltender Ken Dryden, who is now the president of the
Toronto Maple Leafs. In his spare time, he likes to read or surf the Internet. Steve is a good all-around athlete as he
also plays a lot of basketball and golf. He lists "Seinfeld" as his favorite TV show, and one of his favorite movies is
"Bullworth." Steve says his favorite movie of the year is "The Phantom Menace." After hockey, Steve says he would
like to pursue movie directing, making Kevin Costner-like films. Steve wears the same number, 31, as he did with the
Buffalo Sabres.
Steve's Career Highlights
First NHL win - Dec. 23, 1995 at San Jose (with Buffalo)
First NHL tie - Jan. 7, 1997 at San Jose (with Buffalo)
First NHL shutout - Dec. 26, 1998 vs. Vancouver
Most shots faced, game - 47, Nov. 6, 1998 @ Anaheim
Most saves, game - 45, Nov. 6, 1998 @ Anaheim
Most goals allowed, game - 8, April 13, 1997 vs. Washington (with Buffalo)
Most consecutive wins - 5, March 24-April 9, 1999
Most consecutive games unbeaten - 11, March 3-April 9, 1999 (9-0-2)
Most consecutive losses - 5, March 26-April 3, 1997 (with Buffalo)
Most consecutive games without a win - 5, March 26-April 3, 1997 (with Buffalo)
Seagate Technologies Player of the Month - March 1999
Seagate Technologies Player of the Year - 1999
