Forgotten Canes: Willy and His Winning Ways


Before we knew Shane Willis as a Hurricanes Live stalwart along side the likes of  John Forslund Tripp Tracy, and T.V.'s Mike Maniscalco. He was a serviceable hockey player with a unique start to his career. Willis was originally drafted 56th Overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1995, after not being able to come to terms on a contract Willis returned to juniors splitting the 1995- 1997 seasons between the Prince Albert Raiders and Lethbridge Hurricanes on the Western Hockey League. Willis re-entered the NHL draft in 1997 and was selected 88th Overall by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Shane began his Rookie Season on fire with a hat-trick against the Washington Capitals on September 27,2000. Willis duplicated the Task on February 21in a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers. Willis Finished his rookie campaign with a 20 goal 44 point season.


Injuries and inconsistency plagued Willis after his rookie season. His second season saw him traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning midway through it and he finished the year with 11 goals making his career total of 31 goals.




Willis would finish his career bouncing throughout the Minors and Europe, and now spends his time hosting Hurricanes Live, filling in as a color man on Canes Broadcasts, and coaching the Junior Canes Hockey team in Raleigh. However, Caniacs will never forget how their beloved announcer introduced himself to Caniac Nation. Thanks for reading and Redvolution!


The Caniac Collector

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