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ers to emulate and watch, to look up to and follow," Oshie told the Grand Forks Herald. "Maybe they're not trying to follow in my footsteps anymore. Jayson is their hero. When I was younger, the guys I watched were the ones before me, not necessarily the NHL guys." NO REGRETS Instead of moving up early and playing in the USHL, Shaugabay—just like Oshie— decided he wanted to come back home and play with his teammates. "I think it was important to him, with all of his friends here and all these guys that he's grown up playing hockey with ever since he was a little kid," Hardwick said. "Our team had a really good year last year. We were runner-up, and I think he just wanted to come back and kind of be a leader and be that guy for the team." The chance to compete in one last State Tournament was a big draw. "Playing in the State Tournament is the most fun I think I've ever had playing hockey," Shaugabay said. "They haven't gone our way all the times I've been able to go, but it's still just so fun being there and playing. Obviously, the chance to compete there was a big reason I decided to stay. But there's so much behind it that's more than hockey." Moving up early might sound promising, but Shaugabay knows he won't regret fin- ishing his high school playing career. "T.J. and then Brock Nelson, too, they set a great example in Warroad because both of those guys stayed and played through high school," Hardwick said. "They see that they can stay in Warroad and can play through high school and can still be successful. You don't have to hurry up and jump to the next level. It's kind of the culture here where it's OK to stay in Warroad and play hockey and you're not going to fall behind." Shaugabay, who is committed to Minnesota Duluth, is happy with his decision to soak up every minute with his community. "I don't think you'll regret stay- ing home and playing with your teammates," Shaugabay said. "Yeah, if you're moving up, it might be better hockey out there, but you don't get to come home to your dog or your family. You don't get to go hang out with your best friends that you grew up with every night. "I love this community. I love how close everybody is. Being around my friends and coaches is every- thing. We're all just really close and I think that's with everyone around here. There's a deep passion and love for the game." FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEM- BER, JAYSON SHAUGABAY ADMIRED WARROAD'S RICH HOCKEY LEGACY. He was on skates by the time he was a year and a half, and grew up with role models like T.J. Oshie and Brock Nelson. On Jan. 7, in a game against Fergus Falls, Shaugabay himself joined the ranks of Hockeytown USA's greats when he became the highest-scoring Warroad High School boys' player on record. T.J. Oshie previously held the record at 241 points, followed by Brock Nelson and Grant Slukynsky at 199 points. "It's something I never thought I would be able to do," Shaugabay said. "It's definitely a special feeling." Shaugabay became aware he had a chance to beat Oshie last summer. He started the season with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, but soon decided to return home to finish his high school career. Not only was Shaugabay on track to shatter school records and vie for another trip to the State Tournament—he knew how special it would be to stick with his teammates and honor his community's legacy. "I'll remember these days for the rest of my life," Shaugabay said. "To be able to have the chance to play with my best friends and have fun and hopefully be able to make it to State—it's very exciting and special." BREAKING THE RECORD Shaugabay started playing varsity during his freshman season, racking up 30 goals and 72 points. He added 24 goals and 54 points during his sophomore season, and 27 goals and 82 points as a junior. Shaugabay finished the 2022-23 regular season with 80 points before beginning postseason play. Head coach Jay Hardwick isn't surprised. "It's huge for our program and huge for Jayson," Hardwick said. "When you break a record and it's held by T.J. Oshie, I think it adds a little bit more to it, especially when you see what T.J.'s gone on to do after high school. Our whole team is very happy for him. Jayson is just one of those players who doesn't want it to be all about him. He wants it to be about the team. He's pretty humble." Though Shaugabay is glad to break the record, he feels even more fulfilled knowing he can be a role model for younger players. "Honestly, I don't really care too much about that record stuff," Shaugabay said. "But to be able to look at it and be like, 'wow, I have more points than Brock Nelson and T.J. Oshie.' Those are some big names. For kids to be able to look up to me and my teammates and for them to see us as role models, that's pretty special." Oshie, who went to win a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, was thrilled to learn that Shaugabay had surpassed his scoring mark. "It's important for the town of Warroad to have another good player for the young play- 21 M A R C H 2 0 2 3 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M – T.J. OSHIE "Maybe they're not trying to follow in my footsteps anymore. Jayson is their hero. When I was younger, the guys I watched were the ones before me, not necessarily the NHL guys."