Monday was already going to be a special occasion in Dominik Shine’s life.
He had no thought how particular till he received the decision he’s waited 9 years to obtain.
The previous Pinckney resident was in Grand Rapids on his means to purchase the primary pair of hockey skates for his 2-year-old son, Cooper, who was within the automobile on the time. It was going to be a bonding expertise for Shine as he handed down his love of the game.
Plans modified when his telephone rang round 10:30 a.m. Monday. On the opposite finish was Shawn Horcroff, assistant normal supervisor of the Detroit Pink Wings.
Shine has performed 9 seasons with the Pink Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids, watching numerous teammates get the identical name. Some went up for a sport or two. Some have been up for good, on their method to prolonged Nationwide Hockey League careers.
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This time, it was Shine receiving the excellent news.
Veteran forwards Patrick Kane, J.T. Compher and Vladimir Tarasenko have been unable to play in that night’s sport towards the Los Angeles Kings at Little Caesars Enviornment.
Shine, having his greatest offensive season with the Griffins, received the decision regardless that he was on an AHL contract. He signed a two-year take care of the Pink Wings by midday and was in Detroit by mid-afternoon.
On the age of 31 and after taking part in 462 skilled video games, Shine was lastly an NHL participant.
“I’m probably not sentimental, but it surely means rather a lot he was there with me,” mentioned Shine, who has skated in exhibition video games with the Pink Wings. “He’s solely 2. He doesn’t actually know what’s taking place.”
Shine lived each hockey participant’s dream, not solely making it to the NHL, however skating for his hometown crew. He was born in Detroit earlier than shifting to Pinckney in fourth grade. He attended Pinckney colleges by tenth grade earlier than shifting to Lincoln, Neb., to play 4 seasons in america Hockey League.
He performed AAA hockey throughout his two years at Pinckney Excessive Faculty, however did play on the Pirates’ summer season league crew for a chance to skate along with his pals.
After 4 years at Northern Michigan College, Shine signed with Grand Rapids late within the 2016-17 season. He’s been there ever since, getting by on one-year offers with out the job and monetary safety loved by gamers within the NHL.
Many instances, he thought-about shifting on to a different profession. However he all the time got here again, yr after yr, as a fixture on a crew that develops future Pink Wings.
“Within the American League, it’s powerful,” he mentioned. “You’re on American League offers, often one yr. Do you wait till you’re 34, 35 to alter careers or do you get forward of it and begin once you’re 27, 28? That was type of my thought. My household advised me principally to keep it up, and right here we’re.
“It’s undoubtedly worrying. My spouse does a extremely good job retaining me grounded. Identical to another job, should you present up and do the work, you need to get one other alternative.”
No one anticipated that chance would finally land him with the Pink Wings. His story of perseverance made him the toast of hockey Monday night time and into Tuesday.
His interview with the Livingston Every day was one among many lined up for him by the Pink Wings’ media relations workers Tuesday. It’s the kind of consideration not usually given to a profession minor leaguer.
“it’s been fairly loopy,” Shine mentioned early Tuesday afternoon. “All the things occurred within the final 24 hours, so it’s been type of a whirlwind. It’s been a bit overwhelming. I’ve simply type of had my telephone on silent for the final little bit.”
Shine skated 13 shifts for a complete of 9 minutes, 50 seconds of ice time throughout a 5-2 victory over the Kings. He had two hits and one blocked shot.
“It was superior,” he mentioned. “The constructing was packed. It was actually enjoyable. I believed it went properly. I’ve performed a whole lot of video games, preseason, clearly a whole lot of video games within the American League, so I knew what I needed to do. I needed to maintain it easy, be efficient and possibly lay a pair hits.”
In Grand Rapids, Shine has 72 objectives and 98 assists in 462 profession video games. He received the eye of the Pink Wings by scoring 11 objectives and 21 assists in 40 video games this season. His 32 factors are one shy of his profession excessive set in 65 video games final season.
Shine’s stick with the Pink Wings may final one sport or possibly extra. He was advised to remain in Detroit to at the least observe with the crew Wednesday.
If he sticks round, his dad and mom may get the prospect to see him play an NHL sport. They missed the prospect to see him Monday after they have been arriving in Hawaii for a trip. Shine was in a position to have a big contingent of different relations and pals available.
No matter occurs, he can credit score his son for the chance to reside his NHL dream.
“Final yr, I used to be considering retiring,” he mentioned. “I used to be going to name it, possibly change careers. So, to be right here on this crew is unbelievable. Having my son had the most important impression. He’s type of beginning to change into conscious of hockey. He thinks it’s actually cool to see me play, which is sweet. It makes me wish to play longer.”
Contact Invoice Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Observe him on X @BillKhan