Amateur Shields started his career in North America and played for
Cleveland Jr. Barons in the
NAHL for two seasons, 1998–2000. Shields was a sixth-round pick for the
Philadelphia Flyers in the
2000 NHL entry draft. Shields opted to attend and play for the
University of Maine for three seasons, finishing as the top scorer for the 2003–04 season.
Professional For the 2004–05 season Shields was split between the
San Diego Gulls,
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies and
Greenville Grrrowl of the
ECHL, tallying 35 points in 62 games. For 2005–06, Shields moved back to his native United Kingdom for a spell with the
Belfast Giants of the
EIHL, where he played alongside former NHL star
Theoren Fleury. 2006–07 saw a return to the ECHL, with 43 points in 57 games for the
Fresno Falcons and
Idaho Steelheads. Shields had a career year in 2007–08 for the
Newcastle Vipers of the EIHL, scoring 73 points in 57 games. This led to a two-year contract with the
Belfast Giants. Shields served as captain of the Giants, replacing
George Awada, who was ruled out with injury. On 7 April 2011, it was announced that Shields had left the Giants to sign for Morzine-Avoriaz in France. On 22 March 2012, it was announced that Shields had signed to play the 2012–13 season for the
Sheffield Steelers in the
EIHL. ==Retirement and life after hockey==