Who Is Brendan Shanahan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, Brendan Shanahan is 56 years old. A native of Mimico, Ontario, Canada, he is best known for his impressive career in the National Hockey League (NHL). Over his two-decade-long playing career, he showcased his skills with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. Following his retirement, Shanahan transitioned into an executive role and has been influential within the NHL, currently serving as the President of the Toronto Maple Leafs. His biography is well-documented on Wikipedia.
| Occupation | Hockey Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 23, 1969 |
| Age | 56 Years |
| Birth Place | Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Canada |
Popularity
Brendan Shanahan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Brendan Shanahan stands tall at approximately 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) and weighs around 220 pounds (100 kg). His athletic build during his playing days contributed to his style of play, characterized by a powerful combination of scoring ability and physicality.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
While Brendan Shanahan keeps his personal life relatively private, he is married to his wife, Catherine. The couple has three children together, and Brendan is known to be a dedicated family man. There has been no public information regarding any boyfriends or girlfriends apart from his marriage.
The son of Irish parents, Rosaleen and Donal (d. 1990), Shanahan also excelled in lacrosse. His father was a firefighter and later Chief of Fire Prevention in the city of Toronto. As a youth, he played in the 1982 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Mississauga.
He grew up in Etobicoke (now a part of Toronto), where he attended St. Leo's Catholic School and his family attended St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church. Shanahan briefly attended Catholic Central High School in London, Ontario, where he graduated.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Brendan Shanahan's net worth is estimated to be around $60 million. This wealth is a result of his successful hockey career, both as a player and an executive. His earnings include player salaries, endorsements, and executive compensation. It is also noteworthy that he has made significant investments in real estate and other ventures which have contributed to his substantial net worth.
Becoming a free agent following the 1990–91 season, Shanahan was signed by the St. Louis Blues on July 25, 1991. According to the collective bargaining agreement, he was a restricted free-agent, and therefore, the Devils were due compensation.
Ordinarily, this compensation would be in the form of draft picks, but the Blues already owed four first-round draft picks to the Washington Capitals for signing defenceman Scott Stevens the previous year. The Blues made an offer for compensation that consisted of Curtis Joseph, Rod Brind'Amour and two draft picks even further down the road.
However, the Devils were only interested in Scott Stevens. An arbitrator eventually decided that Stevens was to be the compensation, so Shanahan joined the Blues in exchange for Scott Stevens.
Career, Business, and Investments
Brendan Shanahan's career in hockey is well-celebrated. As of 2025, he is best known for his role as President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, with a vision to restore the franchise's success. His previous accolades as a player, including three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings, have cemented his legacy within the sport. Beyond hockey, Shanahan has invested in various business ventures, including youth hockey programs, and has been an advocate for promoting the sport at the grassroots level.
Known for his physical play and goal-scoring ability, Shanahan scored 656 goals in his NHL career spanning over 1,500 NHL games and, at the time of his retirement, was the leader among active NHL players for goals scored. Shanahan is the only player in NHL history with over 600 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.
Social Network
Brendan Shanahan maintains a presence on social media, though he uses it sparingly compared to many contemporary athletes. His verified accounts include Twitter, where he shares insights related to hockey, Marking major events in the NHL, and engaging with fans. As a well-respected figure in the sport, he enjoys a significant following across various platforms.
On November 17, 2009, Shanahan officially announced his retirement after 21 years in the NHL. Shanahan said, "I would like to thank my family and all of the friends who have helped me achieve and maintain my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League," Shanahan said in a news release.
"I am enormously grateful to all of my coaches and teammates I've had the privilege of learning from and playing alongside of, throughout my career. While I always dreamed of playing in the NHL, I can't honestly say that I would have ever imagined that I'd be this fortunate and blessed.
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped me fulfill this dream."
Education
Brendan Shanahan pursued higher education at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, where he played college hockey before making the leap to the NHL. His education laid the foundation for his strategic thinking both on and off the ice, which he continues to apply in his role as an executive.
In conclusion, Brendan Shanahan has established himself as a prominent icon in the ice hockey community, both in his playing days and through his executive leadership. With a successful career and a strong family life, his impact on the sport continues to resonate with fans and players alike.
Shanahan has three brothers — Danny, Brian and Shaun. He also attended Michael Power/St. Joseph High School, where he played on the hockey team and won an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) gold medal in 1985.