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Jones, Shore Help U.S. to World Under-18 Title NHL scouts have their eyes on the two gold-medal-winning Thunderbird graduates


By Paul Willis O


n a large scale, the country was well represented. On a smaller, yet not in-


significant scale, Colorado was as well. When the U.S. Men’s National Under-


18 Team captured the gold medal on April 22 in the Czech Republic, the local hockey community couldn’t help but swell with a little pride. Two former Colorado Thun- derbirds were on the roster. Forward Quentin Shore and defense-


man Seth Jones each played key roles for the USA, which defeated Sweden, 7-0, in the title game of the International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Under-18 Championship. “It’s a great feeling and it really topped


off our two years here (with the USA Hockey National Team Development Pro- gram),” said Shore, who put home three goals for five points at the tournament. “I think everyone was really happy with that.” Jones, who totaled three goals for eight


points in the Czech Republic, was named one of Team USA’s three best players. The U.S. has won four consecutive gold medals and has now medaled nine years in a row. “It was awesome to win a gold medal


like that with one of my best friends my whole life (in Shore),” Jones said. Shore is a bit more popular locally be-


cause of his brothers, Drew and Nick, who’ve been key members of the Univer- sity of Denver hockey team. Quentin, who will join the Pioneers


as a freshman next season, will become teammates with Nick. Drew left DU re- cently after completing his junior season to sign a contract with the Florida Pan- thers, who drafted him in 2009. NHL Central Scouting ranked Quen-


tin No. 80 among North American skaters on its final rankings of 2012 draft-eligi- bles and he figures to be the third brother picked; Nick was selected by the Los An- geles Kings in 2011. “Have I thought about it? Not really,” Shore


Defenseman Seth Jones, who lived in the Denver area for eight years, is expected to be a highly coveted NHL draft prospect in 2013. Photo/Jana Chytilova/HHOF-IIHF Images


said of the draft, which will be held June 22-23 in Pittsburgh. “Obviously it’s a little bit of a focus point right now, but I’m mostly looking forward to heading to DU and getting started there.”


SA Hockey announced last month that it will stage the first-ever All-American Prospects


Game on Sept. 29 at First Niagara Center in Buf- falo.


40 of the top American-born prospects eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. “It’s a concept we’ve been talking about for a


couple of years and we’re excited to bring it to life in partnership with the Buffalo Sabres,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “The tal- ent level on the First Niagara Center ice on Sept. 29 will be exceptional. “We view this game as an opportunity to gain additional exposure for hockey and help influence


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growth of the sport through showcasing the future stars of the game.” USA Hockey expects to announce the players se-


The All-American Prospects Game will include


lected to compete in the game in late June or early July. “Players will come from junior


hockey and college hockey, as well as the high school and prep school ranks,” said Jim Johannson, as- sistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “We’ll be in contact with NHL Central Scouting as we build the final list of players invited to compete in this inaugural event.” Johannson noted that more information is forth-


Forward Quentin Shore, a DU recruit, is listed No. 80 among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of 2012 draft-eligibles. Photo/Jana Chytilova/HHOF- IIHF Images


Jones is the son of former Denver


Nuggets forward Ronald “Popeye” Jones and lived in the Denver area for eight years. He has since trans- planted to Texas and currently lives in the suburban Dallas town of Fris- co.


Earlier this month, Jones made


big news in the hockey circles when he announced he’s going to play Major Junior next season with the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winter- hawks (he was also considering the NCAA route). Considered a hot prospect for the


2013 NHL draft, Jones hasn’t forgot- ten his time cultivating his niche in the sport during his days in Colora- do.


“I have good memories because I


always had such great coaches grow- ing up there,” he said. Jones said he sometimes peeks


ahead to the 2013 draft, but since it’s more than a year away, he hasn’t been swarmed over by the media crush yet. It will start to pick up when he plays in the inaugural All-American Prospects Game at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo on Sept. 29. The contest will feature the top 40 American prospects and Jones is a shoo-in to be included (see more on the event on this page). For the time being, Jones is more


interested in seeing where his buddy “Q” will land. “He’s a good player. He’s got the


size (6-foot, 178 pounds) and he’s a pretty good skater,” Jones said. “He’s got a nice shot and a lot of potential, a lot of upside. I’m not really a scout or anything and I don’t really know what these teams need, but I could see him going in the second or third round.” The draft aside, Shore is turning


his focus toward reacquainting with brother Nick on the ice. “I’m excited to play with him,”


Quentin said. “I’m sure he’ll push me to be the best I can be.”


Buffalo to host All-American Prospects Game in September U


coming, including how the teams will be divided and who will coach the teams. Of the first 40 Americans selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, 17 came from the United States Hockey League; seven were from U.S. high/prep schools; six played U.S. college hockey; six came from the Ontario Hock- ey League; four played in the Western Hockey League; and one competed in the Quebec Major Junior


Hockey League. Under the current structure, players born be-


tween Jan. 1, 1993 and Sept. 14, 1995, will be eli- gible to be selected in the 2013 draft.


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