JUNIOR SEASON (2025-26): Laidlaw provided Clarkson with experience, size and dependable depth during her junior season. The Aylmer, Ontario, native appeared in all 35 games and recorded five goals and five assists for 10 points, matching the career-high point total she established as a sophomore. Laidlaw also generated 51 shots, blocked 19 shots and finished with a plus-one rating.
Laidlaw opened the second half with one of her strongest offensive stretches of the season. She assisted on Jenna Smellie’s goal in Clarkson’s record-setting 15-0 victory over Saint Michael’s before scoring twice in a 9-0 win the following afternoon. Her first goal came when she converted a rebound on the backhand, and she later finished a wrist shot from the slot to record the first two-goal game of her collegiate career. Laidlaw continued contributing during ECAC Hockey play, finishing with two goals and four assists for six points across all 22 conference games. She helped set up Manon Le Scodan’s tying goal in Clarkson’s 5-5 draw at Cornell and assisted on Lara Beecher’s goal in a 5-0 victory over St. Lawrence.
One of Laidlaw’s notable conference goals came at Yale on February 6. She drove toward the net and scored on a backhand attempt during the opening period, helping the Golden Knights erase an early deficit. The following afternoon at Brown, Laidlaw contributed an assist on Sara Manness’s third-period goal.
With her strength, forechecking ability and willingness to compete around the net, Laidlaw remained a valuable member of Clarkson’s forward group. Her balanced production and continued presence throughout the lineup gave her 25 points through her first three collegiate seasons and provided a solid foundation entering her senior campaign.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2024-25): Laidlaw took another step forward during her sophomore season at Clarkson, appearing in all 40 games and establishing career highs with four goals, six assists and 10 points. The Aylmer, Ontario, native generated 60 shots, posted a plus-six rating and blocked 13 shots while providing the Golden Knights with a physical and dependable presence throughout the lineup.
Laidlaw opened the season with one of her strongest performances, recording a goal and an assist in Clarkson’s 9-0 victory at Saint Michael’s. She followed with assists in consecutive wins over Vermont before producing another goal and an assist in a 4-0 shutout of Robert Morris. Through Clarkson’s first five games, Laidlaw had already collected six points while helping the Golden Knights begin the season with five straight victories. One of Laidlaw’s most important goals came against Route 11 rival St. Lawrence on November 13. With Clarkson trailing early in the third period, she collected the puck near the right-side boards and fired a screened wrist shot past the goaltender to tie the game. The Golden Knights eventually earned a 1-1 draw before claiming the extra ECAC Hockey point in the shootout.
Laidlaw scored her fourth goal of the season during Clarkson’s 8-3 road victory over RPI in January, finishing an odd-player rush with a shot over the goaltender’s shoulder. She completed ECAC Hockey play with one goal and two assists across all 22 conference games while contributing defensively and providing depth to Clarkson’s forward rotation.
Laidlaw remained in the lineup throughout Clarkson’s postseason run, helping the Golden Knights defeat Quinnipiac in the ECAC quarterfinals and Boston University in the NCAA Tournament before the season ended against top-ranked Wisconsin. Her durability, improved production and willingness to compete in difficult areas made her a valuable part of a Clarkson team that finished 25-13-2 and reached the NCAA regional final.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2023-24): Recorded an assist in her first game as a Golden Knight in a 5-0 win over Merrimack...Skated in 38 games on the season...Scored 1 goal, the game winner, in a 3-1 win over Quinnipiac on 10/27...Added 5 assists on the season...Named ECAC All Academic
The Back of the Hockey Card: Shelby is a 5’8” left shot forward from Aylmer, Ontario….Laidlaw played in 35 games for the London Jr. Devilettes, scoring 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 2022-23.
Get to know Shelby : Shelby is the daughter of Travis Laidlaw and Jody Laidlaw…Has one sibling, Reece Laidlaw…Played in the World Roller Games for Team Canada Jr’s in 2019…Attended U18 Team Canada Camp in Calgary in 2022…Played in the U18 Women’s World Championship in Sweden…Won a gold medal with Team Canada 2023…Attended U18 Team Ontario Camp 2022…U18 Canada Winter Games, won a bronze medal 2023…Graduated from East Elgin Secondary School in 2023 and will start in the Reh School of Business at Clarkson.
On choosing Clarkson: "I choose Clarkson because it has an environment that makes it feel like home. It’s somewhere I believe I’m going to thrive on and off the ice. I loved the campus and the community and culture is something I wanted to be a part of."
