Ottawa Senators’ Shane Pinto: ‘It’s been a long road for me’

One of the game’s young stars is back on the ice.

On Friday, Ottawa Senators’ forward Shane Pinto was back at practice for the first time since he was suspended by the league for breaking its gambling rules.

“It’s been a long road for me,” Pinto told the media after the skate. “But I’m happy to be back on this road.”

In his first public comments since the suspension, the 23-year-old said it was awesome to be back on the ice with his teammates.

“You kind of take it for granted being around the team and how much the boys mean to you. It’s good to be back. I don’t want to get too emotional about it, but it’s awesome.”

The 41-game suspension was handed down by the league in October, with Pinto being able to return to the lineup on Jan. 21 when the Senators take on the Philadelphia Flyers, his first game in 283 days.

“It was an extended off-season. I took advantage of it for sure. My body feels unreal,” Pinto admitted. “I’ve done a lot of maturing in the last couple of months. I grew up a lot off the ice and that’s only going to help me on the ice.”

Pinto is still a restricted free agent.

The former North Dakota standout has not played since Ottawa’s 2022-23 season finale, a 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on April 13. Pinto says the time off has given him an opportunity to reflect.

“Life can change in an instant no matter what you do. Sometimes you take for granted how lucky we are and how quickly it can be taken away from you. I learned that pretty quickly and I’ve said a million times it gives me a greater appreciation for playing hockey.”

Pinto did not go into detail on why he was suspended, but said that he received numerous calls from other players around the NHL to educate them on why he was banned, with the hopes they do not make the same mistake.

While away, Pinto returned home to Franklin, N.Y., working with a skating coach.

“A lot of it was back home,” Pinto confirmed. “I came up here about three weeks ago. I had a skating coach who was keeping me upbeat and keeping me ready. I’ve just been working out.”

Pinto scored 20 goals and 15 assists while playing all 82 games last season. In his 99-game NHL career, he has notched 21 goals and 22 assists.

The Senators (14-23-0) are scheduled to host the San Jose Sharks Saturday afternoon. Ottawa is last in the Atlantic Division, 12 points back of the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, who are tied for sixth, and 15 out of a Wild Card spot.