by Warren Kozireski
Spencerport native Shane Prince left home in the summer of 2008 at the age of 16 to play hockey north of the border for the Kitchener Rangers in Ontario Hockey League.
Four years, a junior trade to Ottawa, being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and the first two months of his professional career later, Prince returned to Rochester December 21 as a member of the Binghamton Senators to play his former hometown team.
“I was excited going into this game and had so many family and friends out to support me,” said the just turned 20 year old (November 16). “Your whole career you work hard to get to this level and to be able to come back and play a game in my hometown is awesome and not something everyone gets to experience.”
Prince had injury trouble earlier this season, but is rounding into form showing the offensive skill set he was drafted for. In 16 games this season, he has scored four goals with four assists and has earned one of the coveted spots on the Senators power play unit.
Included among the four goals was a third period game-winning goal to beat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4-3 December 19 completing the first multi-goal game of his professional career. He had a three-assist game against Syracuse December 2 in just his eleventh pro contest.
“Every time you come into a new league things are going to be different and you need to get used to a few things, but I’m back from my injury and back to 100% now.”
Prince arrives to his professional career with an offensive pedigree. He set career highs last season with the Ottawa 67s of 43 goals and 90 points and added seven more goal and 16 points over 18 playoff contests. He finished the regular season fourth in the league in goals and points and was named co-winner of the team’s Humanitarian Award.
Prince and Binghamton will be back in Rochester December 29 and March 13.
“I went to a lot of games here (Blue Cross Arena) when I was growing up and you always have the mindset that you’ll play here some day and that time came tonight and it was a lot of fun.”
