Shane Pinto reveals how he had "no life" from age 15-18 in effort to make it to NHL

For Franklin Square, New York, native Shane Pinto, he has climbed his way up to the NHL. At the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators drafted Shane Pinto with the 32nd overall pick in the draft.

Pinto only played in 17 games from 2021-2022, but Pinto would show his potential by scoring 20 goals in his true rookie season in the 2022-23 season. However, the following 2023-24 season would be a blow when he was suspended for 41 games. After his suspension, Pinto recorded 27 points, a solid season after serving a huge suspension.

Prior to the Christmas break this season, Pinto had a rough stretch when he went 19 games without a goal and 15 games without a point, but has been hot ever since. Pinto is destined to continue to grow his game and take a bigger step this season. Recently, Pinto revealed how just dedicated he was to play in the NHL.

Pinto reveals he had "no life" from age 15-18 in effort to play in NHL on recent Spittin' Chiclets Podcast

Pinto recently made a guest appearance on the Spittin' Chiclets Podcast and discussed his desire to play in the NHL when he was younger. On the episode, Pinto said he had "no life" when he was 15-18 years old. During the Summer time, Pinto would play hockey instead of hanging out with his friends.

"All I worried about was just kind of getting better at hockey," Pinto said. "It was kind of embarrassing, but now I look back on it, I don't think I'm here if I didn't do that."

Young players will do whatever it takes to make it big in hockey. Unfortunately, some players have to give up certain things. For Pinto, he needed to in order to make it to the NHL. Long story short, it worked out for Pinto.

"You got to sacrifice something at a young age if you want to make it to this level," Pinto said.

During the Summer, Pinto would work on his stick handling, puck shooting, balance and skating, along with working out every day. Pinto had a goal of playing in the NHL on the same line as NHL all-time great Sidney Crosby. While Crosby is playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pinto is playing with the Senators, having goals and working on talent is crucial for a player with goals of making it to the NHL.

This season started slow for Pinto, but he headed into the Christmas break with recording six points in the Senators' final six games. Of those six points, five of them were goals. In two of the six games, Pinto recorded a two-goal game against the Carolina Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks. Against the Canucks, Pinto recorded a three-point game. Pinto is now at nine points this season.

Pinto and the Senators will return to action from their Christmas break tomorrow night as they take on the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre at 8 p.m. ET.