Dave Shields (lives in Esterhazy)
He remains one of the most popular Millionaires players of all time. Countless fans, former players and coaches have asked about his whereabouts. The man I am speaking about is none other than Dave Shields. Shields was with the Millionaires from 1996-2000. He was part of some of the best teams in Millionaires history, a club that was ranked number one in the entire country at one point in the season. However the end of his time in Melville was a heartbreaking time for everyone.
Shields was not even given the chance to finish his final season with the Millionaires. “I knew if I signed a scholarship I couldn’t play in the playoffs,” Schields says. “I turned 21 on March 1st and by NCAA rules you have to redshirt your 1st year in college if you play past 21. After I signed in December I wouldn’t be able to play. It wasn’t tough to be motivated though because we had such a hard nosed, blue collar team. We were full of skill, speed and grit. It really was something special.”
He calls it the hardest part in his hockey career. “Everything we as a team had worked for was erased because of a NCAA rule,” Shields adds, “I was heartbroken. Especially after the fall when I was released from Duluth. Those were some dark times for me both physically and mentally. Things worked out in the end but I always play the what if game. That was our year in Melville and everyone knew it.”
Shields was with the team through highs and lows. In his first season the team dressed four midget aged players, most other teams did not dress more than one.They were not a very good team his first season but that just added to his memories. One of his favourite stories that he still tells in the dressing room is from that first season. ”We hadn’t won a game on the road and it was already mid December,” Schields recalls. “We were in Kindersley at the end of a road swing. We managed a 4-2 lead after 2 periods and were about to start the 3rd with the power play. Coach came into the room at the break and said ‘if we bring this one home guys, we won’t be drinking pop on the bus.’ We proceeded to give up 2 short handed goals in the first minute of the power play. The flood gates opened, and we lost 11-4. It was the most quiet bus ride that I’ve ever experienced to this day. For a 17 year old kid to think we were going to have a few beers with the boys on the bus, to a silent 6 hour drive with no lights on was something you never forget. We did bounce back the next 3 years but that one has stuck in my memory forever.”
He still looks back at his time in Melville fondly. He will never forget the old stadium, the playoff atmospheres and especially his billets. “I had wonderful billets that still check up on me,” Shields remembers. “I was fortunate enough to have 5 billets in my time there. With my son Ashtyn moving away this year, and next year headed off to play Midget AAA you realize just how huge a commitment these families made. They took me in for better or worse (believe me, I was no angel) and never passed judgment. Loved me like I was their own. I think I appreciate them more now looking back than I did then. Sadly these lessons are only learned as we get older.”
After Melville he got the opportunity to play professional hockey. He spent three seasons in Oklahoma City, winning a championship in his first year. In 2003 he married his wife Kelsey. Then spent one year in Richmond Virginia and returned home after the 04 season. In 2005 his son Ashtyn was born, then in 2007 their daughter Kiah arrived. Shields still resides in the region. He works at the potash mine in Esterhazy.
His impressive career in Melville included a six goal game against Saskatoon which he admits is impressive however not as impressive as Meliville Millionaires fans. Shields thanks everyone for all the support over the years and sends his love out to all of Mills Nation.