Name: Drew Shore
Team: US National Team Development Program U18
Height: 6' 2 1/2"
Weight: 190 lbs.
2008-2009 stats: 53 games, 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points
Prospect Info:
Drew Shore is a rare NHL prospect coming from the state of Colorado, but when he suits up for the University of Denver next season, it will be his first time playing back home in Colorado in a long time. Shore's journey began back in bantams when he traveled to Vancouver to play for the prestigious North Shore Winter Club. His play in bantams, along with the willingness he showed to move to advance his hockey career, got him drafted in the second round of the 2006 WHL bantam draft by the Chilliwack Bruins.
Shore chose to keep his college options open, however, and the following year, moved on to Detroit to play for the Honeybaked AAA program's Midget Minor team, where he was the leading scorer on a team that looked like a Who's Who of the next two drafts. Also on that team with Shore were future NTDP teammates and likely 2009 draft picks Chris Brown, Kenny Ryan, Kevin Lynch, and David Valek, as well as possible 2010 draft picks Chris Crane, and C.J. Motte, and potential top 5 pick next season Cam Fowler.
That performance earned Shore a spot on the US NTDP U17 team in Ann Arbor the following year, and that fall, he was offered a scholarship and committed to the University of Denver, where both his parents attended school. Shore had a good first half of the season, but in the second half, where most NTDP players begin to shine, Shore contracted mononucleosis, which hindered his play in the second half of the season.
Coming into his U18 year, Shore was looked upon as one of the leaders and offensive stars for the NTDP team. Shore put together a very solid season in which, eventually helping his team win a gold medal in the World U18 championships.
Shore has very good size for a center, but relies more on his quick hands to generate offense than using his size to bully people. He's natural center, but his skating abilities may necessitate a move to the wing.
Strengths: Passing ability, huge potential
Needs to Improve: Toughness, Skating
Links of Interest:
DU Gets Commitment from Shore- October 2007
A "Shore" Thing-Hockeytalk Scouting Report September 2008
Shore Signs with DU-November 2008
Ann Arbor Could Yield More Young Stars-ESPN.com December 2008
NHL.com Video Interview-May 2009
Love of Teammates, Country Drives Drew Shore-NHL.com May 2009
Interview with The Pipeline Show-May 2009
Drew Shore Profile-Stanley Cup of Chowder, June 2009
Shore Affirms DU commitment-June 2009
On WCH...
July 17, 2008: "Drew Shore(DU recruit)-Finished with a very respectable 7 points and was really a catalyst for this team. One of the most talented forwards at the camp."
September 22, 2008: "Drew Shore: I don't think he played very well, despite finishing with a nice point total. Everything just seemed a little off. The size and skills are there though, and you can probably chalk it up to being early in the season. Draft Stock: I'd hold him steady at a late first/early second round draft pick."
April 6, 2009: "Shore was really low in the Mid-term rankings, but lately, a lot of people have had him in the mid-first round. I'd put him in about the middle of those two extremes. He's a big guy with great skills, but he's not your prototypical power forward that is really going to bang around. He's more of a skill player, though against Germany, he showed a nice willingness to work his way into the slot with the puck to get a better shot even though it meant taking a lot of contact."
April 17, 2009- "Drew Shore had a huge game, scoring the first two goals of the game, and assisting on the third to help the US put the game out of reach early."
Final Projection:
Shore has the size and skills to be a very good NHL player some day. There are some concerns about skating, but in all reality, it's not that bad; certainly not something crippling. I think similarities can be drawn with his teammate next season Joe Colborne. Both were big and skilled players, with a reputation for playing a little too much on the perimeter. A year in the WCHA helped Colborne become more physical, and it should do the same for Shore.
Shore is likely on the border between the first and second round, depending on how the teams drafting in those spots feel about him. I think he'll be selected early in the second round, but wouldn't be at all surprised if his name is called in the first.