Center Nick Shore was originally selected by the Kings in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft. Over three seasons at the University of Denver he recorded 34 goals and 93 points in 116 games, including leading the Pioneers in points this past season with 34, and finishing second on the team with 14 goals.
He recently decided to end his college career and sign a professional contract with Los Angeles. An interesting aspect of the deal, was that he would report to Los Angeles – not Manchester, like defenseman Derek Forbot did – thus, burning the first year off of his three-year entry level deal. Essentially, he’ll become a restricted free agent in 2015, instead of summer 2016.
Earlier today he shared some thoughts with MayorsManor about the entire situation, including now being in LA and working out at the team’s practice facility…
– On burning a year off his contract: “I think that’s just how my contract ended up working out. You know, the time period that I signed; I’m not allowed to report back to Manchester. ”
– On if reports are true, that if the main reason he signed now was because the Kings were willing to burn the first year off his ELC: “No, not at all. I sort of took my time with the decision. It was really important for me to talk to as many people I could. To sort of get a feel for what I was going to go through and everything. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this organization. I’m just looking forward to getting the rest of this going.”
– On who he leaned on most during the decision making process: “It was a little bit of a shock with Gwoz (George Gwozdecky) getting let go there. So didn’t have a chance to obviously speak to him, and then I got to talk to my older brother a lot. He sort of went through the same situation a year before. So that was definitely a big help”
– On if the fact his brother left Denver after three years had any impact on his decision to leave early too: “No, not necessarily. I think even between me and him, we’re both very different. I just had to figure out what was gonna be best.”
– On making his decision based on the coaching situation in Denver (ed. note – they fired their coach after the season): “No, I actually made my decision before they even named a new coach or anything like that.”
– On why he thinks it’s the right time to sign now and leave school early: “Well I think anytime you have the opportunity to join an organization like this, you know, it’s really difficult to pass up. On if the Kings winning the Stanley Cup helping tilt his decision: “Yeah, for sure. I mean you don’t want to…You want to be part of an organization that has a winning tradition obviously. Winning the Cup last year was a big help.”
– On any players he’s become familiar with so far: “I’ve been able to meet a couple of the guys. I actually moved in with Toffoli last night. So I’ve been around a little bit.”
[note: as perfect timing would have it, Kyle Clifford came up and introduced himself right as we were having this conversation. Then, seconds later, Drew Doughty walked up and did the same thing. Upon learning Shore was American, Doughty jokingly quipped – ‘Oh boy, that’s going to be a problem.’ Which then led to the next question…)
– On if he’s a baseball fan: “I’m a Rockies fan.”
– On what it means to be standing in the Kings’ locker room and putting on a Kings jersey: “It’s all a little bit surreal still. But, like I said earlier, I couldn’t be more excited to join this organization and get this part of my career going.”
– On if there was anything said to him during the negotiating period that really stood out and may have weighed on him during the decision process: “I don’t think so. The whole thing was such an honor for me to have the recognition. Know that the LA Kings wanted me to be part of the organization. So from that standpoint, that was great. Couldn’t be more honored that they gave me this opportunity.”
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About John Hoven
give him jack johnson old number, turn him loose. can’t bet worse than elerby.