Nick Shore (Getty Images)
Spotlight on… Nick Shore, center, Kings
When: The defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings play the Avalanche on Wednesday, the first of two meetings this season in Denver.
What’s up: Shore, a 22-year-old rookie, was born in the Mile High City and attended the University of Denver, playing three seasons for the Pioneers before signing with the Kings in the spring of 2013. He had played in nine games for the Kings entering Saturday after being called up from the minors for the first time in January before the all-star break. He was the American Hockey League’s second-leading scorer at the time.
Background: Shore is the second of David and Sarah Shore’s four sons. The couple, with no hockey background at the time, met while attending law school at DU, and their first date was at a Pioneers hockey game. The first three boys have played at DU, including the oldest, Drew of the Calgary Flames organization, and Quentin, a junior center and Ottawa Senators draftee. Nick was drafted by the Kings in the third round (82nd overall) in 2011. The youngest brother, Baker, 15, also plays hockey.
Chambers’ take: Nick is a solid end-to-end hockey player who might have the best pro career of the three NHL-drafted Shores. The Kings’ philosophy begins with winning puck battles against the wall, and Shore’s strength is in the small-games area. Shore is in an ideal situation, and his NHL career appears bright.
