DENVER - University of Denver junior forward Nick Shore (Denver, Colo.) has decided to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings, it was announced recently.
Shore was drafted in the third round (82nd overall) by the Kings in 2011 and finished his three-year DU career with 93 points (34g, 59a) in 115 games. Shore tallied a team-leading 34 points on 14 goals and 20 assists during his junior campaign.
“We would like to congratulate Nick as he starts his professional hockey career with the Los Angeles Kings,” Denver associate head coach Steve Miller said. “Nick has been a tremendous player to coach, as well as a great teammate. He has always represented “The First Family of Colorado Hockey” in a first class way. As he leaves us, I will always remember the time we first met him and his brothers at DU hockey school. We wish him the best.”
Shore is the third DU underclassman to turn pro following the 2012-13 season and the sixth over the last two years, joining Juho Olkinuora (Winnipeg), Scott Mayfield (New York Islanders) Beau Bennett (Pittsburgh) Drew Shore (Florida) and Jason Zucker (Minnesota).
He is also the 20th underclassman to sign a professional contract over the last 19 seasons. Shore joins Mayfield, Olkinuora (2013), Bennett, Zucker, Shore (2012), Matt Donovan (2011), Marc Cheverie (2010), Joe Colborne (2010), Patrick Wiercioch (2010), Tyler Bozak (2009), Chris Butler (2008), Brock Trotter (2008), Geoff Paukovich (2007), Ryan Dingle (2007), Paul Stastny (2006), Matt Carle (2006), Brett Skinner (2005), Mark Rycroft (2000) and Matt Pettinger (1999) as Pioneers who left school early to turn pro since 1999.
Bennett, Bozak, Butler, Carle, Colborne, Shore, Stastny, Weircioch and Zucker are currently all playing in the NHL.
Prior to his collegiate career, Shore played with the U.S. National Developmental Team and the U.S. National Under-18 Team. In addition, Shore earned a gold medal with the U.S. at the 2010 World Under-18 Championships.
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-EXPERIENCE DENVER ATHLETICS-
