American Made


Denver’s Quentin Shore continues his climb with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program ByPaul Willis


C


olorado’s status as a landlocked state hasn’t prevented the word “Shore” from be-


ing used on a regular basis. Not throughout the hockey circuit, anyway. While many local puck enthusiasts are


familiar with Drew and Nick Shore, both members of the University of Denver hockey team and NHL draftees, it’s time to get ready for Shore No. 3. That would be Quentin Shore, who is fol-


lowing his brothers’ skate marks and playing this season for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s Under-18 Team based in Ann Arbor, Mich. The brief detour to


the northern extreme of the country won’t sever his ties to the Rocky Mountain re- gion, though. Quentin also has committed to DU and will return to Colorado in the fall as a freshman - barring the Pioneers’ unlikely request that he spends another season playing junior hockey. The chief question


that remains is whether the brothers, who grew up playing for the elite Colorado Thunderbirds program, will suit up together next season for the Pioneers. The eldest brother, Drew, a junior center, was a 2009 second-round pick of the Florida Panthers and could sign an entry- level contract with the team when the college season concludes. That could dispel


any hopes of DU giving the state something it has never had: a Shore line. “It’s going to be great either way,” Quen-


Quentin Shore, who is in his second and final season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, is excited about the prospects of skating with his older brothers, Drew and Nick, at the University of Denver next year. Photo/Hockey Canada


“He’s very smart with the puck, and we


tin said. “I’d be extremely happy if both my brothers stay at DU and play with me. But, of course, I’d be really happy for them if they could leave and play in the NHL.” The odds of a Quentin-and-Nick reunion


are much greater, although Nick was a fourth- round choice of the Los Angeles Kings in June. Currently a second-line sophomore center, odds are probable he’ll remain in a Pioneers uniform next season. “It’s exciting to see them both drafted,” said


Quentin, who was recognized on NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” list for 2012 draft-eligibles, which was released in October. “I think they both showed me, by example, the


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also tried to get him to shoot more. When he does that, even at the next level, he’s going to score a lot of goals because he has a very nice release.” By now, anyone who has followed the


Shores knows the story. Parents David and Sarah Shore attended DU for law school, and their first date just happened to be a Pioneers hockey game. Their offspring have shone with hockey savvy, including a fourth brother, Baker. Although he’s only 12, Baker is a mem- ber of the Thunderbirds’ 13U squad coached by former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote. And how does Baker, at an early age, project


road I need to take. Hopefully, I can be as for- tunate as they were.” That road included stops with the Littleton


Hawks and Jr. Pioneers prior to the Thunder- birds, playing for coaches such as Kent Mur- phy (Littleton), Tyson Davis (an assistant with the Thunderbirds and coach of the Colora- do Outlaws summer team) and Angelo Ricci, who mans multiple coaching capacities with the Thunderbirds program. “One thing they all have is good hockey


sense,” Ricci said of the Shore brothers. “As far as ‘Q,’ he’s very good on faceoffs and he has the ability, once he puts his mind to it, to be a very good offensive player.


in regards to the ceiling of his talent? “I’d obviously like to say I’m the best one,”


Quentin said with a chuckle. “It’s a pretty good rivalry, but I think he’ll probably end up being the best one. He has three older brothers to push him. We’re not soft on him, and he takes it pretty well. He’s a tough kid.” Although the state of high school hockey


is vastly improving, the Shores always were strictly club players before each took off to Ann Arbor. Because of that, few know that each of the older three attended Kent Denver High School in Cherry Hills Village. A smaller private school in the south-cen-


tral portion of the metro area, Quentin kept tabs in November with some of his buddies as the Sun Devils football team advanced to the deep rounds of the Class 2A playoffs. In his final


season in Colorado, Shore tallied 41 goals and 54 assists for the Thunder- birds’ 16U team that finished 67- 9-9 and captured Colorado’s first Tier I national champi- onship - despite the absence of Shore (wrist ailment) at nationals. The points


haven’t come as easily with the Na- tional Team (nine points in 33 games last season; one goal through four United States Hockey League contests heading into De- cember this year), but his skills are beginning to equate to the increased competition.


“It’s been pretty fun,” said Shore. “I think


I can play a little bit better, but I’m just excit- ed to get the opportunity to be here, playing college teams and getting after it.” Said Ricci: “At the next level, he might


be a guy who sets up goals more than scores them, but I think he has all the attributes to be a successful player. He has a lot of upside in his development still, in terms of strength and consistency and things like that. “It’s tough where he’s at now because


they’re playing a lot of older kids, but he’s go- ing to be fine. He’s a nice player, man.” Colorado fans can be thankful that he’s


one they’ll get to see regularly in the coming years.


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