Jayson Shaugabay breaks T.J. Oshie’s record, wants state title
Editor’s note: The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Jayson Shaugabay with the No. 115 pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft on June 29.
WARROAD, Minn. (BVM) – Jayson Shaugabay has made his mark on an already historical program. Earlier this season on Jan. 7, Shaugabay became the all-time leading points scorer in Warroad Warriors history, surpassing NHL star T.J. Oshie’s mark of 241 points. It’s a massive milestone for a young star who is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and could be drafted in the 2023 NHL Draft.
“I never ever would have thought that I would beat T.J. Oshie’s record…I really don’t know how to describe it to be honest,” Shaugabay said.
Little late on posting but this was the point that Jayson Shaugabay broke TJ Oshie's all time point total at Warroad @JShaugabay
🎥: @ErikRadtke pic.twitter.com/f9t8aEgLVs
— mnhshockeytalk (@mnhshockeytalk) January 11, 2023
The NHL Draft hopeful didn’t even realize he was close to the record until his coaches told him prior to the start of the season. Shaugabay’s coaches had called him into their office and showed him a list of the points leaders.
“They showed me a piece of paper and it had the point leaders…That’s when I found out I was close,” Shaugabay said.
From then on, it was only a matter of time. As a junior, Shaugabay had racked up 82 points and 27 goals. He is electric with the puck and his passing ability is off the charts. This season, he’s leading the state in assists and was third in the state in assists last season.
The Warroad star was always going to pass Oshie’s record. As he got closer to it, he passed other Warriors greats from the past and with each of those passings, Shaugabay realized how amazing this moment was for him.
“I’ve beaten a couple NHL stars in points so that’s something pretty cool and special, I’ll be able to look back on forever,” Shaugabay said.
He’s certainly making his mark. Shaugabay has already helped the Warriors make it to two state tournaments and it looks like they could be heading back this year. When he was a freshman, Warroad took third at state and last year, the team lost 3-2 in the state championship to Hermantown. The tough loss in the championship has only motivated the team to get back to the championship.
“That’s one of the biggest motivators especially when you’re that close and you lose,” Shaugabay said. “That’s all we want. That’s all we want to do is to be back there and to win it.”
Not only do they want to win it, but Shaugabay just wants to experience the tournament again in general. The Minnesota hockey state tournament is well known and is considered one of the best hockey events in the country. Minnesota high school hockey is like Texas high school football and the state tournament doesn’t disappoint.
“Playing in the state tournament is probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey,” Shaugabay said.
If there was a be chosen Mr. Hockey kit.
First thing in there is to break your school’s all-time points record ✔️
Next, score a goal off the goalie’s head on a live stream with thousands of viewers ✔️
Jayson Shaugabay is trending ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/eVQTLIW5sw
— YHH (@YouthHockeyHub) January 11, 2023
Getting back to state and giving Warroad another title, as well as getting a chance to play in the tournament again, were major factors in why Shaugabay decided to finish his high school career in Warroad. The forward could have stayed in Green Bay, Wisconsin to play for USHL’s Green Bay Ramblers. It’s a move many high schoolers make, especially ones with college and professional hockey aspirations.
Shaugabay couldn’t do it. He is a Warrior first and foremost. The chance to play for the team he grew up watching, and to give back to the community that raised him, was a chance he was going to take.
“I couldn’t leave my high school,” Shaugabay said. “Warroad has given me everything I have. My whole hockey ability, just the person I am today, I have one year left here so I’m not just going to throw it away.”
In doing so, he has given Warroad another hockey great to look at and admire. Someone who takes pride in being a Warroad Warriors hockey player and also represents his Native American heritage well. He is a member of the White Earth Nation and follows a long line of Warroad Warriors greats who are Native American.
“It’s my history, it’s where I came from so I have a lot of pride for it and I just try to represent it by being a good person and lead by example,” Shaugabay said.
Shaugabay is doing that. Kids come up to him in awe that he’s broken Oshie’s record and they look up to him. He has built quite a reputation for himself. A state title and then his name being called in the NHL Draft would just be well-deserved bonuses.
