Shaun Van Allen is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on August 29, 1967, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Van Allen began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 1985. He played for the Tigers for four seasons, during which he was a consistent scorer and a reliable two-way player.
Van Allen was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the 1989-90 season, playing in 12 games and scoring one goal. He spent the next few seasons bouncing between the Oilers and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cape Breton Oilers.
In 1993, Van Allen was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he played for two seasons. He was then traded to the Ottawa Senators in 1995, where he would spend the majority of his NHL career. Van Allen was a key player for the Senators, known for his defensive prowess and his ability to win faceoffs. He played for the Senators for eight seasons, from 1995 to 2003, and was a fan favorite for his hard work and dedication to the team.
Van Allen's best season with the Senators was the 1998-99 season, when he scored 14 goals and 32 assists for a total of 46 points. He was also a key player for the Senators in the playoffs, helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2003. Van Allen retired from the NHL in 2004, after playing in 794 career games and scoring 98 goals and 169 assists for a total of 267 points.
After retiring from the NHL, Van Allen continued to play hockey in Europe for a few seasons. He played for teams in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and was known for his leadership and his ability to mentor younger players. Van Allen also worked as a coach and a scout for various teams, including the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens.
Van Allen is remembered as a hard-working and dedicated player who always put the team first. He was known for his defensive skills, his faceoff ability, and his leadership on and off the ice. He was a fan favorite in Ottawa, where he was known as "The Vanimal" for his tenacity and his work ethic. Van Allen's legacy in the NHL is one of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence.
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