Former Captain Spearing Uses Fan Support and Former Opponents to Adjust to New Lifestyle
By: Chris Tracey
Having a healthy balance between school and sports can be difficult, especially when playing at a high level. Former Petes captain, Shawn Spearing learned that this past season while attending St. Francis Xavier (STFX) University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Spearing suited up for the maroon and white for 158 games tallying 3 goals and 15 assists for 18 points. Throughout his tenure, he was dominant on the blue line and always someone you could count on to make a difference in the defensive zone. In his fourth season, Spearing was named the 61st captain in Petes history and had the opportunity to wear it for his overage season. During his overage season, Spearing led his team to the OHL Finals and won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, all with a broken jaw.
Once his OHL career ended, Spearing decided to head to the east coast, to play hockey for the STFX X Men, one of the most competitive programs in the region. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about the program,” Spearing said. “I knew they had a solid team this year and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Although he was used to playing at a high level, nothing Spearing had experienced in the past would compare to playing University hockey. The main difference is the age gap and the physicality. “It’s really good hockey,” Spearing explained. “It’s much faster and the guys you’re playing against are bigger and stronger than in the OHL.”
On top of playing for one of the top teams in Atlantic Canada, the workload has also become an adjustment. “When you’re playing in the OHL and you get out of high school, you can do classes online, but you’re usually only doing one or two, where now, in the AUS, you have a full schedule,” said Spearing. Once the season began, Spearing started to find the balance between his academics and athletics. “You always have to ensure you’re getting everything done on time. This allows you to be at your peak performance athletically.”
Moving to a new province is never easy, luckily for Spearing, he didn’t move alone. Charlie Callaghan, OHL Alumnus of the Mississauga Steelheads and childhood friend, joined him for their first year at school. “We had a little rivalry, especially with him being in Mississauga,” Spearing said. “We played a lot of tournaments together growing up, so it’s nice to have someone that you know.” Spearing and Callaghan aren’t the only OHL Alumni listed on the STFX roster, they are also joined by Matthew Struthers from the Owen Sound Attack and North Bay Battalion, and Lucas Pfeil of the Kitchener Rangers. Petes alumnus, Daniel Nikandrov, is also on the bench as assistant coach.
Playing in the small Nova Scotian town of 10,000 people, Spearing began to experience the small-town feeling, similar to the feeling of his time in Peterborough. “Everyone is so friendly out there. Everyone has time to stop, have a conversation and see how your day is going.”
Looking back on his OHL career, Spearing has a lot of fond memories of his time in the Lift Lock City. “Winning a championship last year is something that I will never forget. My last year was one of my favourite years that I’ve had playing hockey,” Speaking explained. “The fans are second to none in the OHL and they were unbelievable during my time there,” said Spearing. “It was unbelievable playing there for five years. I have trust in what the organization is doing. I’m sure there’s going to be another championship coming soon.”
