Sports fans across the continent and around the world were glued to their screens Wednesday (May 8), watching some of the biggest names in hockey and basketball during the NHL and NBA Playoffs.
Connor McDavid. Leon Draisaitl. Quinn Hughes. J.T. Miller. Jalen Brunson. Tyrese Haliburton. Pascal Siakam. It was a smorgasbord of MVPs and All-Stars in each sport, but only one player was the star of both: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman. Or, as the world has come to know him, “Shaq” Hyman.
In the opening contest of the best-of-seven second round series between the Oilers and Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, Hyman had his third multi-goal game this postseason. Meanwhile, during TNT’s coverage of Game 2 between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, he got a shoutout from NBA legend Shaquille (“Shaq”) O’Neal.
Hyman Sends Gifts to O’Neal
The Oilers forward sent O’Neal an autographed stick and a No. 18 Oilers jersey that Hyman signed, “To Shaq, thanks for all the support.” On Wednesday, the basketball Hall of Famer was presented with the items during Inside the NBA, TNT’s massively popular post-game show. “Zach, I love you brother,” said O’Neal, who serves as a studio analyst.
The sweater and stick were tokens of respect for the 7-foot-1, 325-pound O’Neal, who has become Hyman’s unlikely kindred spirit. While he’s a foot shorter and well over 100 pounds lighter than O’Neal, Hyman is in many respects the NHL equivalent of the basketball centre.
The Origin of Hyman’s Nickname
Hyman was first bestowed the nickname “Shaq” almost a decade ago when he was playing for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League. His coach with the Marlies at that time, Sheldon Keefe, explained that, “we called him ‘Shaq Hyman’ for a reason, because he got to the paint more and better than anybody.”
O’Neal, who was an MVP and a 15-time All-Star over 19 seasons in the NBA, is perhaps the greatest inside scorer in basketball history. A sheer force of nature blessed with both size and athleticism, he was unstoppable when he got the ball down low.
Hyman Dominating Like O’Neal
Hyman put up Shaq-like numbers in 2023-24, scoring 54 times as he became the only player other than Draisaitl or McDavid with a 50-goal season for the Oilers since the 1980s. And he was just getting warmed up.
Related: 4 Current Oilers Stars Who Matched 4 Legends’ Stats vs. Kings
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