Ever since he was a young kid, playing hockey in the Cool Insuring Arena was a dream for Shawn Weller.
"I was at the arena when I was 4 and 5 years old, watching the Adirondack Red Wings and just hoping to play out there one day,” Weller said.
And one of his favorite career memories came on the ice.
“I just kind of think back here to when I was a sophomore in high school for South Glens Falls, winning a Section II Championship against Glens Falls,” Weller said with a smile.
What You Need To Know
- At the tail end of his hockey career, Glens Falls native Shawn Weller is thrilled to be playing at home
- Some of his best hockey memories came from inside the Cool Insuring Arena
- But Weller also plays in the memory of a close friend who passed away in 2019
From there, Weller has enjoyed a successful college and professional hockey career. He’s bounced around the AHL, ECHL and even a handful of teams in Germany.
Opportunities to play at home were few and far between. But that changed just a month ago when Weller was traded back to his hometown.
His impact has been felt right away. And that’s partly a credit to his family, who show up to home games and give him a boost.
“For them to be able to come watch me play at home, for them it’s only a five-minute drive down the road, that means a lot to me, and just for the people around the community that have been following me around my career, it means a lot,” Weller said.
All of his family and friends are there to see, including one who is there in spirit, a close friend Weller said watches from above.
“My buddy Logan Carpenter passed away three years ago in an ATV accident," Weller said. "He always would say, ‘when are you going to play for the Thunder?’ I kind of wish he could be here to watch me play.”
In the tail end of his career, Weller makes sure to honor his friend every night he takes the ice.
“The first game I played after he passed away, I scored a goal. I gave him a shoutout," Weller said. "I write his name on my sticks, and I know he’s with me every day. It means a lot to me to know he was always there for me, and I know he’s thinking about me.”
Playing in memory of a close friend in his own backyard is more than enough for the 35-year-old. And it’s motivated him to help lead the Thunder to a run at a ECHL title. The Thunder have their work to do, but in sports, anything can happen.
“We’re in a race right now for the playoffs, and my mindset right now is do anything we can to make it into the playoffs and make a push for a Kelly Cup,” Weller said.