Shawn Bates is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on April 3, 1975, in Melrose, Massachusetts, and began his hockey career playing for the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA.
Bates was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not make his NHL debut until the 1996-97 season. He played in 20 games for the Bruins that season, scoring one goal and two assists.
After spending parts of four seasons with the Bruins, Bates was traded to the New York Islanders in March 2000. He played for the Islanders for the next six seasons, becoming a key player for the team. He was known for his speed and defensive abilities, and he was often used as a penalty killer.
One of Bates' most memorable moments came during the 2002-03 season when he scored a penalty shot goal in overtime of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The goal helped the Islanders win the game and tie the series at two games apiece.
Bates played for the Islanders until the end of the 2005-06 season when he became a free agent. He signed with the Boston Bruins for the 2006-07 season but played in only 14 games due to injuries.
Bates returned to the Islanders for the 2007-08 season, but he played in only 10 games before being placed on waivers and eventually retiring from professional hockey.
In total, Bates played in 662 NHL games, scoring 41 goals and 70 assists for 111 points. He was known for his hard work and dedication to the game, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from hockey, Bates became involved in coaching and player development. He worked as an assistant coach for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the AHL affiliate of the Islanders, and he also worked as a skills coach for young players.
Overall, Shawn Bates had a successful career in the NHL, playing for two teams and earning a reputation as a hard-working and reliable player. His memorable penalty shot goal in the playoffs will always be remembered by Islanders fans, and his contributions to the game of hockey will not be forgotten.
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