Joe Shaughnessy, a forward for the Crown Point Bulldogs and Team Indiana, recently signed with the Minnesota Blue Ox of the USPHL.

Shaughnessy led the Bulldogs in the regular season with 23 goals and was second on the team with 39 points in 33 games.  Crown Point finished fourth in the Illiana League but managed to reach the 3A State Championship game, ultimately falling to HSE 6-4.

An Assistant Captian for Team Indiana, Coach Jack Manard describes Shaughnessy as "a tenacious player with great attitude and hockey sense."  Manard believes more good things lay ahead for Shaughnessy.  "He'll do well (at Minnesota).  Of that I have no doubts."

Based in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the Blue Ox joined the USPHL for the 2017-18 season and finished third in the Midwest West conference with a 31-10-3 record.  The USPHL was founded in 2012 with the intent of providing a tiered development system to prepare young players for college hockey and beyond.  And with Minnesota Wild Head Coach Bruce Boudreau as part of the ownership group, the Ox offered Shaughnessy an opportunity any young hockey player would crazy not to jump at.

Shaughnessy is also a finalist for the first-ever INHockey.net 'Mr. Hockey' Award.  The winner is scheduled to be announced later this month.