Last April -- then a member of the Chicago Blackhawks -- the 25-year-old was suspended for a playoff game after using a homophobic slur from the penalty box.
Since publicly apologizing for the incident, as well as initially getting into contact with You Can Play nearly a year ago, Shaw insists the timing was right to get involved and prevent others from making the same mistakes.
"They brought it to the locker room and I volunteered to do it. Words are very hurtful, even if you don't mean them that way. There are words that should not be used. With my experience in the past, I think this is a good position for me to be in," continued the sixth-year NHL vet, who has always played with his heart on his sleeve. "It was a dark time, but you need to grow from situations like that. You need to learn from it, and turn it into a positive as much as you can. You need to get the word out."
Shaw's example is a testament to how far a little listening, education, and understanding can go when it comes to building bridges.
"[You Can Play] reached out to the organization here, and they think it's a positive thing. They're happy to have me, and I'm just going to do what I can to help."
To his critics, the Belleville, ON native argues that the program as a whole is more important than any one player or action, present or past.
"I don't want this to be a bigger story than it is. I want it to be about the program, not about me," concluded Shaw. "I just want to be there to help, and help is what I'm going to give."
