Hockey’s history is filled with families. From fathers to sons or siblings or cousins playing alongside or against each other, the game being passed down from generations or within families is what makes it special. Ray Shero was born into hockey. As Fred Shero’s son, he had big shoes to fill and was surrounded by greats, yet found his own way into the game and, in many ways, established a greater legacy. Shero was posthumously given the Lester Patrick Award, and it’s a reminder of the legacy he created and the hockey life he made a mark in.
Shero Beginnings: Hockey Family & High Expectations
Shero was born in a hockey family in hockey country. Specifically, he was born and raised in Minnesota, the state of hockey, which helped him become a key part of the USA national teams as he was the GM of the teams and had an eye for talent.
He moved when his father became the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. When Shero was 12 years old, his father was leading the Flyers to the Stanley Cup title, and the boy, becoming an adult, was entering a hockey world where success and victory were at the front and center. It’s hard to live up to the standard set by Fred, and Ray was asked to do that. He was asked to grow up in the shadow of an iconic coach who Flyers fans are still trying to find the next version of (Mike Keenan was great but not Fred).
It’s harder to live up to the expectations when the entire Shero family is building a legacy. Fred was the Hall of Fame coach, his aunt Doris was a Hall of Fame baseball player who played for the Racine Belles, and was selected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, and his uncle had a respectable career with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1940s. By the time he was an adult, he had a high bar to clear.
Shero: His Hockey Life
Shero never made it to the NHL as a player or a coach. He grew up as a firsthand witness to the highs and lows that came with coaching and being a part of a coaching family, so he took a different path. He started out his career as a scout for the expansion Ottawa Senators.
That job is not easy by any means, and like coaching, it requires a lot of travel and time away from the family. That said, Shero made it a priority to always be close with his loved ones and form a strong connection with the people he interacted with. It’s what planted the seeds for his success as a general manager.
Shero first made his mark in the front office with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was hired in 2006 when they already had Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and a young core to compete but he put the team over the finish line. The addition of Marian Hossa helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2008, and his depth additions helped them win the title in 2009. There are many executives who have star power to work with, and it’s easy to discredit their success. Shero made the right moves to get the Penguins over the hump and, with the victory, put his name on the Cup along with his father’s, albeit over 30 years apart.
His lasting legacy came as the New Jersey Devils’ executive. He helped start the rebuild but more importantly, made an impact off the ice or with the areas of the job people overlook. The Devils were exiting the Lou Lamoriello years, and the relationship with the fans and the press had soured. Shero understood the importance of the media and the fans, who, without them, there’s no hockey. He grew up with memories of hockey and wanted to bring that to the kids growing up with the sport. Fost forward and the Devils are one of the most fan-friendly teams in the league.
The Lester Patrick Award Embodies His Hockey Legacy
The Lester Patrick Award is about as close as it gets to a lifetime achievement award. It’s given to those who provide outstanding service to the game. The Shero name goes hand-in-hand with hockey, just like Howe, Sutter, Hughes, Smith, or Tkachuk but Ray still stands out for what he did both on and off the ice.
He managed to follow up a tough act and make an impact in the game his way. Ray wasn’t meant to be a coach, and by nature, his personality wouldn’t have allowed him to succeed. It made him great with relationships and ultimately, more impactful for hockey, which creates long-lasting relationships.
