Career
He most recently played for Nationalliga A side The Human Context Fribourg-Gottéron in Switzerland. He has played for the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Atlanta Thrashers. Shawn Heins" style of play is that of an offensive defenceman and powerplay specialist.
His slapshot though not well known has been measured at speeds well over 100 miles per hour.
Heins held the record for the hardest recorded shot of all time with the puck going 106 miles per hour, until December 3, 2006. The record was taken by Chad Kilger of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In the final stages of the 2012-2013 season with Fribourg, Heins suffered a concussion and was unable to re-sign with the club, still suffering post-concussion symptoms months later.