UNB has added veteran goaltender David Shantz to their 2014-15 roster. Shantz, a former second-round pick 37th overall for the Florida Panthers is coming to UNB after a few years off from hockey.
The 6'1" goalie enjoyed an outstanding OHL career where he started 43 games for the Mississauga Ice Dogs in 2003-04 and posted a .911 save percentage. That same season saw him play in 24 post-season games where he had a 2.03 GAA and a .933 on his way to the OHL Finals. He was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and played in the CHL Top Prospects Game.
In his second season he played 27 games and posted a 2.84 GAA and .909 save percentage. In 2005-06 Shantz was traded to the Peterborough Petes where he played 49 games. That post-season he played 19 games en route to winning the OHL Championship. He had a 2.62 GAA and .925 save percentage.
The following season Shantz turned pro where he split time with the AHL's Rochester Americans and the ECHL's Florida Everblades where he had a 2.96 GAA and .908 save percentage.
From 2007-09 Shantz would split time with both the Americans and Everblades. He was called up to his first NHL game in the 07-08 season for the Florida Panthers where he backed up Ed Belfour.
In 2009-2011 Shantz would play for both the Abbotsford Heat and Manitoba Moose of the AHL. While playing with the Heat in 09-10 he posted his best numbers in the AHL with 32 games played and a 2.75 GAA. That same season he started 13 games for the Heat in the playoffs and he had a 2.68 GAA and .900 save percentage.
His last season was spent with the Victoria Salmon Kings where he was twice named ECHL Goaltender of the Week. He also led the Salmon Kings to the western conference finals.
"David brings a wealth of experience to our team," says UNB associate coach Rob Hennigar - a former teammate of Shantz. "He is extremely dedicated to the goalie position and will help lead our team both on and off the ice. His track recorded speaks for itself and he has come in and already made an immediate impact on our team."
Shantz will combine with another former pro Chris Carrozzi to form UNB's goaltending tandem for the coming year.
The Varsity Reds play their first exhibition home game this Friday, September 19, when they host the Nipissing Lakers.
