Isaiah Shantz building on family success in Trenton

Amy Deroche / OJHL Images

Isaiah Shantz isn’t taking anything for granted.

When the Trenton Golden Hawks won the Buckland Cup last spring, the Hawkesville, Ontario native was still relatively new to the group. A trade deadline acquisition, Shantz stepped into a lineup loaded with expectation.

“Going into every year, the goal for everyone on the team is to win a championship,” said Shantz. “So it was pretty cool to be able to do that with that group of guys. We came up a little bit short at the Centennial Cup, but this year we’re looking forward to having another extended year and hopefully bringing home that one too.”

The Golden Hawks are off to another strong start with a 18-3-0-2 record and once again are ranked among the top junior programs in the country.

“It keeps pushing you,” Shantz said. “You want to get to that number one spot. It really comes from within the team. We push each other every day, and when everyone’s bought in, it’s a lot easier to stay sharp and focused.”

Since joining the Golden Hawks, Shantz has refined his game playing for head coach Derek Smith, a former NHL defenceman whose emphasis on detail and structure has resonated with the young forward.

“He's helped me a lot,” Shantz said. “He loves giving tips and helping you through things. He’s been through the junior process, so he’s got a lot of advice to share. I think my game’s improved a lot here. I’m slowing the game down more and letting it come to me instead of chasing it.”

Shantz has 18 points through 23 games this season, following a strong playoff performance last spring where he tallied 10 points in 19 games after collecting six assists in 16 regular-season contests.

That maturity has translated to both sides of the puck. Shantz has become one of the team’s most trusted two-way forwards.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a 200-foot player,” he said. “You’ve got to keep the puck out of your own net and be responsible defensively. I really try to do my best with that every night.”

Now in his second season with Trenton, Shantz wears an “A” on his jersey and has become a part of the team’s leadership group on a roster that is filled with championship and Major Junior experience.

“It’s an honour, for sure,” he said. “With that comes a lot of responsibility, helping the younger guys, setting an example on and off the ice. I’ve played a couple years of junior now, so I know what it’s like, and I take pride in trying to lead the right way.”

For Isaiah, playing in Trenton means representing a community that shows up for him and his teammates at the at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens every weekend.

"You want to leave the game better than when you came into it," he said. "It’s important to be involved in the community. They come out and support us, so any chance you get, you’ve got to give back and help grow the game."

After last year's deep playoff run, Shantz didn’t have much time to rest before getting back to training. His offseason focus was on adding strength, improving his speed, and staying sharp.

“This summer felt a lot shorter, which was nice,” he said. “When you have a long summer, you can get a little tired of all the workouts. But this year, I hit the gym hard, wanted to get stronger, and add some speed to my game. I was also getting on the ice a couple times a week to stay sharp.”

He trained in Waterloo with Depth Training, a performance facility known for its work with elite hockey players.

Isaiah can also lean on his family for guidance in developing his game. His older brother, Jeriah, also suited up for the Golden Hawks, helping Trenton reach the OJHL finals in 2023.

“Growing up, I went to watch his games and always wanted to play here. So it’s pretty special now to have that chance, and I think fans enjoy seeing a familiar last name on the back of a jersey again.”

Jeriah has built a strong following of his own through his growing social media account, @dangler.king, where he shares hockey, training, and lifestyle content. For Isaiah, watching his brother’s creativity has been another source of motivation.

“He’s worked really hard with all that social-media stuff," he said. "It’s neat to see companies reaching out to him and sending him gear. He’s earned that.”

His cousin, Brady Martin, was a recent high NHL draft pick who made his debut with the Nashville Predators earlier this season. For Isaiah, seeing a family member reach hockey’s highest level was a special moment.

“That was awesome,” Shantz said. “We watched his draft out on the farm, which was pretty cool to be part of. Then going down to Nashville for his NHL debut. That was really special. Seeing him out there was kind of surreal. Watching him on a line with Forsberg and O’Reilly was just crazy.”

“Our family is really close. We talk almost every day. It’s awesome to see what he’s doing, and I’m excited to see where he goes in his NHL career.”

Still only 19, looking back, Shantz appreciates how far he’s come from minor hockey in Waterloo to a championship team that continues to contend. More importantly, he’s learning how to lead and to appreciate the ride along the way.

“When you’re younger, you’re always focused on getting to the next level,” Shantz said. “Sometimes you get caught up in it. But now, I tell myself to just enjoy the moment and that’s what I’m trying to do.”