He began playing Junior Hockey for the Niagara Falls Kiwanis from 1932 to 1933, moving to the Sudbury Wolves until 1935.
From the Wolves he went to the Memorial Cup in Winnipeg and that same year, signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
[1] His career followed with the Syracuse Stars, Springfield Indians, Pittsburgh Hornets and Buffalo Bisons, all of the American Hockey League.
[1] It took almost thirty years before the next Niagara Falls hockey player, Derek Sanderson, made it to the NHL.
Shannon coached local minor hockey in Niagara Falls, Ontario following his retirement from playing.