On and off the ice, third-year captain Devin Shore leads the University of Maine men’s hockey program. Through the program’s rebuilding over the last few years, Shore has been a bright spot for the Black Bears and has attracted a lot of attention to the program.
Shore was drafted in the second round, 61st overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft, just before his collegiate career began at the University of Maine. Since then, he has been lighting up the score sheet and helping solidify the Black Bears as a legitimate contender in the competitive Hockey East Conference.
What separates Shore from other players at the collegiate level is his wide skill set. He has great vision, speed and hockey sense. In watching him play, you can tell that he knows where the puck is going to be, and you can almost guarantee he’ll get to it first. His vision makes him a superior playmaker; he can make skillful passes under duress and his wrist shot is a threat from anywhere on the ice.
“I think my biggest strengths on the ice are my hockey senses, playmaking ability, and puck protection. I enjoy being able to always be close to the puck and support it all over the ice. I try to make my teammates around me better,” Shore said.
Shore has been stellar for the Black Bears program since the beginning of his collegiate career. In his freshman season, he was a co-recipient of the Hockey East Top Scholar-Athlete award, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA. He’s also won a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award and has been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team each year as a Black Bear. He also lead the team in scoring that season, the first freshman to do so since Gustav Nyquist, who is now a right wing on the Detroit Red Wings.
Before Maine, Shore played minor league hockey in his hometown of Ajax, Ontario for the Ajax/Pickering Raiders. Then he ventured to The Hill Academy in Ontario for a year of prep school before playing one season for the Whitby Fury in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
Shore’s love for the sport started as a kid when he was just two, learning how to skate on frozen ponds and rivers in Ajax. He played his first organized game of hockey at four years old with the help and motivation of his father, who first encouraged him to lace up the skates and give hockey a chance.
“My dad first encouraged me to put on a pair of skates and get into the game,” Shore said.
“He would never have forced me into doing something I didn’t want. However, as a lifetime hockey fan himself, he definitely encouraged it. Lucky for him, I fell in love with the game right away.”
His love and passion for the game of hockey is evident on the ice. Shore’s intensity never lets up, both offensively and defensively. One of Shore’s mentors throughout life was, surprisingly, his long-time lacrosse coach, Derek Keenan. Keenan taught Shore that you can get better every day and always improve your play, no matter the sport.
“Keenan coached me in lacrosse every summer as a kid,” Shore said. “I have learned so much from him not only about lacrosse, but what it means to compete and have that inner drive to get better every day. He is definitely one of my idols.”
Not only can Shore score points, but he’s a well-rounded defender. He’s aggressive on the forecheck and can race from one end of the ice to the other and thwart the breakaway opportunities of his opponents. Because of his strong passion for the game, Shore is always trying to get better. Specifically, he’s looking to improve his two-way play for the pros.
“I continue to work on my foot speed and explosive power so I can get out of the gate quicker,” Shore said. “I take a lot of pride in my defensive game, so I am always looking to improve my two-way game.”
This season, Shore’s stats have declined, but he’s still been impactful on the ice, and his play has transformed under head coach Red Gendron. Gendron took helm of the program in 2013. That season, Shore tallied 43 points on 14 goals and 29 assists. This season, he’s managed a team-leading 29 points on 11 goals and 18 assists. Across the board, numbers are down, but Shore remains consistent and enjoys playing under Gendron.
“Coach Gendron has immense passion for the game of hockey. He loves to win and demands the most out of his players,” Shore said.
“His intensity drives us to be better. It’s an honor to play for someone who has such a passion for Maine Hockey and everyone involved with the program. He inspires us to represent this program proudly by giving everything we have every single night.”
To the dismay of Maine fans, this may be Shore’s last season with the Black Bears. His talents will likely land him playing for the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate in the near future. But for Shore, playing for Maine has been a privilege, and something he could never forget, even if he’s heading onto professional hockey.
“The most positive thing I would attribute to my experience at UMaine would be the privilege of playing in front of the Alfond crowd,” Shore said. “It truly is indescribable. Their passion for Maine hockey is inspiring, and it is an honor to wear the Maine sweater every night and represent our fans and this state. I believe it is the best place to play a hockey game, period.”
When he moves on, Shore will be remembered for his charismatic play and dedication to the Black Bears program. Nobody knows how long it will be until we see another player of his caliber suited up again for the Black Bears.
“I want to be remembered for my passion for the game of hockey,” Shore said.
“When I leave this institution, I want people to say ‘he simply loved to play hockey.’ I would love for people to say I was a great ambassador for Maine Hockey and that I represented the program with class and respect. I want to be remembered for being a good person off the ice as much as my on-ice contributions.”
It won’t be hard for fans to remember this, and if anything it, will be hard to forget all that Shore has done for the Black Bears program. Since the beginning, he’s been an exemplary role model of the University of Maine and the foundation of a struggling program that needed a Devin Shore on its roster to become relevant again.