Devin Shore—The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile

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Devin Shore — THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 19 July 1994
Place of birth: Ajax, ON
Ht: 6′ 0″ Wt: 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center
NHL Entry Draft Eligibility: 1st time eligible 2012

*Click Here for “Notes Up Front” and the “Legend” for various topics covered below in the “Live Updated” THW’s NHL 2012 Entry Draft Guide – The Next Ones home page.

Devin Shore Fury
Devin Shore, Whitby Fury

Devin Shore is nothing if not goal-oriented, bad pun intended.

In 41 games this past season with the Fury, this dominating power forward with fantastic stickhandling skills and brilliant passing abilities notched 29-29-58, including 9 goals and 17 assists on the power play. A prolific point-producer, Shore enjoyed 17 multi-point games and a 14-game scoring streak. He was named the Gongshow Gear South-East Conference Player-of-the-Month in January after a torrid stretch in which he scored 25 points in just12 games.

In Whitby’s sensational playoff run, Devin tallied 7-25-32 in 23 games as the Fury fell 4 games to 2 to the Stouffville Spirit in the OJHL Finals.

Little surprise that Shore was named the Ontario Junior Hockey League 2011-2012 Rookie of the Year. He was also named the first-ever recipient of the OJHL Top Prospect Award as the league’s top NHL scouting prospect.

Although Shore gets knocked for not being the most aggressive player on the back-check, he played significant minutes on the team’s fourth-ranked penalty-kill and even chipped in a pair of shorties.

In addition to having a season to remember with the Fury, Shore also found time to play in the 2011 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge for Team Canada East. Not only was he the tournament’s top scorer, he was named MVP.

RELATED: 2012 NHL Draft Where Are They Now?

Coming out of midgets, Shore was selected by the Barrie Colts in the 4th round of the 2010 OHL priority draft. He attended the private Hill Academy in Vaughn, Ontario, a school without a league but which plays in various tournaments and exhibition games in Canada and the US over the course of the school year. As a member of Hill Pride, Shore racked up 33-62-95 in 61 games. His eyes on the NCAA, Shore opted not to play for Barrie and instead joined the Whitby Fury of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He has orally committed to play for the University of Maine Black Bears in 2012-2013; however, his options remain open and if he’s taken in the NHL draft, he may still decide to play for the Barrie Colts next season.

Scout’s Honor:
NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings have Shore at #58 among all North American skaters. That makes him the top rated skater not only out of the Ontario Junior Hockey League but out of the entire Canadian Junior Hockey League. Meanwhile TSN’s Craig Button has him at #37 in his June Top 60, and THW’s Christopher Ralph has him ranked at #55.

“Devin has been outstanding for our hockey club all season long. He is a very hard working player, who brings the same work ethic each night and is very good in both ends of the ice.” Whitby Fury Head Coach Curtis Hodgins.

“Devin Shore is a smart playmaker with good offensive instincts. He sees the ice well and has a quick read and react game. Not only does he create scoring chances, but he’s a proven goal scorer.” Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting.

“… [He’s] a very slick puckhandler who beats defenders 1-on-1 despite his lack of foot speed, and is also a highly imaginative playmaker who sees the ice beautifully and can make touch passes through traffic off both sides of the blade.” Kyle Woodrief, Red Line Report.

“Developing scorer with patience, dangle, and good hands. Goes to the front, and reads the attack well. He doesn’t have a great first step but his long stride is able to be seen once he is moving.” Bill Placzek, Draftsite.

“An offensive-minded forward … [Shore] is an extremely smart player, knows where to go in the offensive zone and has the ability to anticipate the play two to three plays in the future.” — Sean Lafortune.

Statistics:

Bio/Interview(s)/Link(s):

International Tournaments:

  • Shore scored 2-4-6 for Team Canada East in the 2011 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge. He helped lead the team to a silver medal and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

ETA = 5 yrs

Risk-Reward Analysis:
Risk = 2/5   Reward = 4/5

NHL Potential:
Top 6 forward and key member of a first-unit power play.

Strengths:

*See “THW Close-Up” section above.

  • Hockey sense. On the attack, this kid is plain dangerous.
  • Playmaking. Wherever he plays, he makes goal scorers out of his teammates.
  • Power-Play prowess. Shore had a hand in 26 (9-17) of Whitby’s 52 power-play goals.
  • Positional game. Called “nearly flawless” by one scouting outfit.

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

  • Two way game. Five on five, Shore enthusiastically embraces the offensive zone. The defensive zone … not so much.
  • Skating. Not as fast as he needs to be at the next level.

Fantasy Hockey Potential:
Offensive = 8/10   Defensive = 5/10

Video(s):
Devin Shore is awarded the OHA’s B.J. Munro Memorial Award:

 THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph