Jayson Shaugabay: Warroad Warrior Hockey Player is 1st Round Draft Pick

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(Photo courtesy of Tony Scott/Youth Hockey Hub.) 

By Dan Ninham

One of the top hockey players in Minnesota has been drafted in the first round in two major hockey leagues. He still has two more years to improve his skill sets and make his high school and tournament teammates better.

Jayson Shaugabay, 16, will be a junior next school year at Warroad High School. He is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation. He is a hockey and golf athlete for the Warriors.

Jayson’s team accomplishments include placing fourth in the 2020 Minnesota State Class ‘A’ Hockey Tournament and led the Warriors to the state tournament in back-to-back seasons after a 10-year drought. He was also a member of state championships at the VFW-level in 2019, Bantam-level in 2019 and Pee Wee-level in 2018.

Jayson was recently drafted in the First Round of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the 11th overall pick to the Green Bay Gamblers.

According to the Gamblers website, Shaugabay appeared in 20 games last year tallying 53 points with 29 goals and 24 assists in a shortened season.

Jayson contributed tremendously as a freshman with 72 points including 30 goals and 42 assists. He was featured in a 2020 state tournament preview. (See links at end of article.)
Jayson was also drafted in 2020 in the First Round of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the sixth overall pick to the Winnipeg Ice.

This past year, Jayson was named to the 40-man camp of the United States National Training Development Team, and as the Warroad Warrior Team MVP and a member of the Minnesota All Section 8 Team.

Recent accomplishments also include being named the 2020 Upper Midwest Elite League Player and Minnesota All Section 8 Team, and 2018 MVP of the Minnesota Pee Wee State Tournament.

“I have the core value of my parents,” said Jayson. “They are kind, humble, and honest people. Those are values that are important to me.”

“Don’t know where I am going for sure as an athlete,” said Jayson. “I sure would like to play hockey at the college level in the near future. I am going to keep working hard at my game, and try to be the best I can be.”

“I have worked real hard at my sports, been very dedicated to try and be the best I can be for my team and my community,” added Jayson.

“The most influential person in my life is my dad,” said Jayson. “He mentors me in everything, but especially my sports. He has been a coach for a long time. My mom helps me a lot also with lots of other things in life.”

Hockey coach and dad Darrell “Son” Shaugabay was featured in a story in The Circle News, May 5, 2020.

“My high school coach Jay Hardwick has been influencing me over the last couple of years,” said Jayson. “He coaches me in hockey and golf.”

“Jayson Shaugabay is an unbelievably skilled and gifted hockey player,” said Jay

Hardwick, Warroad HS head hockey coach. “His puck skills, creativity, and vision give him the ability to make hockey plays that most players won’t even try.”

“Jayson is a quiet person who doesn’t say a lot, instead he lets his play on the ice do the talking for him. He has a love and passion for the game that will take him great places,” added Jay.

“I also had youth hockey coaches that have helped me along the way,” said Jayson.

“Jayson played for me for two years in Pee Wee,” said Byran Hontvet, Warroad PWA hockey coach. “One of the most skilled players I’ve coached in my 14 years as PWA coach in Warroad.”

“He was captain of our 2018 MN State Championship PWA team. He was a quiet leader who led by example. Great kid with a great attitude that absolutely loves being at the rink,” added Bryan.

Jayson has a busy summer. He will be playing in the World Selects Tournament in Philadelphia then a national camp in New York. He is also trying out to make the Five Nations Tournament in Sweden.

Jayson has words of wisdom for other student-athletes: “Have fun with your sports. If it is fun, you will develop a passion for your sport. If you develop a passion, you will get real good at your sport.”

Gamblers –  https://gamblershockey.com/2021/05

Check out the newest Gambler video – https://www.youtbe.com/watch?v=C_VKqQjpteg

Darrell “Son” Shaugabay article in The Circle – http://thecirclenews.org/sports/coach-darrell-son-shaugabay-committed-to-helping-kids/