Stars Recall Former University of Maine Forward Devin Shore

In preparation for their upcoming 4 game road trip, the Stars today called up Texas Stars center Devin Shore. The 21-year-old, Ajax, Ont. native has been on fire with the AHL Stars. He has 8 goals and 3 assists in 9 games this season.

Shore debuted with the Texas Stars last season scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in 19 games. Shore, 6’1 205, had a good camp with the big club this summer but Stars Management wanted to give him more time to develop with Texas. Also, quite honestly, the Stars forwards were pretty well set before Brett Ritchie, Patrick Eaves and Curtis McKenzie went down.

Coach Lindy Ruff is a fan of Shore’s game.
“I’ve liked [Shore],” Ruff said during training camp via Stars Inside Edge “He’s a solid player, and he knows the game. I think he has really good potential. He’s about where I thought he would be, and it will be interesting to see where he gets to.”

Shore was named AHL player of the week for the week ending October 18th. He has produced a few highlight reel goals down in Cedar Park.

Devin Shore 2012 NHL Draft

Shore was the Stars second round selection (60h overall) in 2012. Prior to the draft Shore was rated 73rd overall by the International Scouting Services.
This was his ISS report card:

Size/Strength:  Good

Skating:        Good

Puck Skills:    Average

Shot:           Very Good

Hockey Sense:  Very Good

ISS Scouting Report:

Quality power forward that protects the puck well, good vision from the half wall. Devin has shown huge strides and improved potential in his game. Strong on the puck, skates well but doesn’t have that elite quickness. Has an accurate shot and good judgement in the offensive zone. At his best low in the slot. Performed well for Team Canada East. Awarded OJHL Rookie of the Year. Committed to the University of Maine Black Bears in 2012.

Devin Shore Maine Black Bears

After being drafted by the Stars, Shore went on to have an impressive collegiate career with Maine. He spent 3 seasons with the Black Bears 112 Gp 34 G 70 A 104 Pts. He was a 2nd team All American in 2013-14 and was also recognized as a Hockey East Academic All American along with Maine’s Scholar Athlete Award winner in 2013-14.

Shore was Maine’s captain as a junior and turned pro at the conclusion of his junior season. Per the Portland Press Herald, Stars scout Mark Leach kept close tabs on Shore’s development at Maine and Leach was impressed by Shore’s increasing ability to win puck battles “in the hard areas,” an important skill for someone who projects to be a third- or fourth-line center in the pro game.

Leach compared Shore to Riley Sheahan of the Detroit Red Wings, a solid two-way player who has put up 50 points in his first 100 NHL games.“He has good size, plays a responsible game at the defensive end and chips in offensively,” Leach said of Shore. “He needs to show his coaches that they can trust putting him on the ice at any time without worrying.”

Devin Shore at Home on the Road

It will be interesting to see how Ruff wants to use Shore during the road trip. The Stars play Toronto and Boston on back to back nights (Monday/Tuesday) before heading to Carolina on Friday and Detroit on Sunday.

The timing couldn’t be better as Toronto is only 20-25 minutes away from Ajax, Ontario where Shore was born. Also, if he gets into the Boston game, it will be a good opportunity for his college fans and friends to see him skate in the NHL. A couple of my cousins are hard-core Maine hockey fans and I’m sure they will be excited to see Shore play in the NHL.