After serving a 41-game suspension in the 2023-24 season, Shane Pinto was eager to raise his game in the 2024-25 season for the Ottawa Senators.
Pinto delivered big to help the Senators make the 2025 playoffs. Even with missing 12 games in the 2024-25 season, Pinto set two new career highs with 21 goals and 37 points in a single season.
With the Senators eliminated from the 2025 playoffs, Pinto has been playing in the 2025 IIHF World Championship with Team USA as a native of Franklin Square, New York. Once again, Pinto is showing the potential he has while representing his country.
Pinto has been solid for Team USA in IIHF World Championship
After defeating Finland 5-2 earlier today, Team USA clinched a semifinal birth. In the win, Pinto delivered with scoring a huge insurance goal to extend USA's lead to 4-2 after beating Juuse Saros. Ironically, Pinto's Senators teammate Nikolas Matinpalo of Finland was on the ice for the goal.
The goal by Pinto was his first during the 2025 IIHF World Championship, but the goal came at a crucial time to give Team USA some breathing room in the third period.
So far with Team USA, Pinto is succeeding. In six games, Pinto has seven points with a +6 rating. At 24 years old, the Senators forward keeps getting better.
Experience at a big International stage like the IIHF World Championship will help get Pinto more recognition for his game. So far, Pinto is living up to his solid play in Ottawa and making it better for his country.
Pinto and the United States hae clinched a semifinal spot, so it offers as another chance for Pinto to grow his game even more.