The Minor Hockey Association in Glace Bay helped welcome home Florida Panthers forward and Cape Breton native Logan Shaw on Saturday.
“It was special,” said Shaw. “Just to be able to know you have all that support back home and people cheering you on, it means a lot.”
More than 1,000 people are expected to take in Saturday night’s meet and greet. Shaw will also be honoured when his minor hockey jersey is raised to the rafters in the rink where it all began.
“From a small town, to say you can play in the NHL, you say it's far off, but really it's not,” said Shaw. “Trust yourself and believe in yourself. That's what people in Cape Breton do. They work hard for everything they have and deserve everything they get.”
Support has been growing for Shaw ever since he cracked the Panthers’ lineup.
“When the kids see him tonight and they know he's playing in the NHL, that shows them that dreams can come true,” said James Edwards, president of the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association.
Edwards hopes the excitement will spike enrollment.
“I know there will be kids in the building tonight who maybe don't play hockey and will come out to experience it,” he said
Shaw is the first player from Glace Bay to play in the NHL in more than 25 years. The last one was Dougie Sulliman with the Philadelphia Flyers back in the 1989-90 season.
Shaw’s back in Halifax on Sunday to begin preparations for next season. But he says he’ll never forget his support group back home.
“This is always home. Cape Breton's home, Glace Bay's home, and I'm proud to be from here,” said Shaw.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
