Prospect Forward Nick Shore’s LA Kings Development

Los Angeles Kings prospect forward Nick Shore has been playing well enough in the American Hockey League to get serious considerations for a National Hockey League roster spot soon. The Kings Scouting staff has again shown that the organization is one of the best in the NHL at finding future talent in the later rounds of the NHL Entry Draft.

While at the University of Denver (NCAA), Shore played in 115 games for the Pioneers in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, scoring 34 goals, and 59 assists, which caught the eye of the LA Kings western collegiate scout Mike Donnelly.

The 6’-0” 200 pound center from Denver Colorado, is a two-way skillful, playmaking forward with great hockey sense. A constant thinker of the game, and his exceptional vision on the ice was something the Kings thought highly of. Shore has on of the best tape-to-tape passes as a developing young player, and had a tremendous shot. Another one of Shore’s better skills, is his powerful skating, while holding up with great balance. He is a hard worker along the boards, and has a very quick transition as he accelerates through all three zones.

With Shore’s impressive collegiate resume in hand, it was a “no-brainer” that the Kings were targeting him for their future plans and develop him like so many other great young players that have been through the Kings system. In June of 2011 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Kings selected Shore in the third round (82nd overall). In the 2012-13, Shore returned to the University of Denver to play his junior year, and final season with the Pioneers, before signing a three-year entry-level contract in April with the Kings.

The transition from collegiate hockey to the American Hockey League was an easy one for Shore, because of his great potential and skill set. Last season in his first year of professional hockey in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs, Shore helped the Kings affiliate, appearing in 68 games he posted impressive numbers for the Monarchs with 14 goals, and 24 assists in his rookie season, and was a big contributor to the successful Eastern Conference Championship season where the Monarchs went 48-19-3, and earned 105 points ad the second best team in the AHL trailing the Western Conference’s Calder Cup Champions, the Texas Stars who had 106 points.

The 22 year-old Shore is entering his second season with the AHL Monarchs and is off to a great start. In 10 games so far in the young American League season, the team has a record of 6-4-0, and is currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points. Shore has contributed five goals and two assists this season, while playing on the top forward line in between left winger Brian O’Neill, and right winger rookie Justin Auger.

Shore is on pace for a 35 goal season, and with continued hard work, and confidence building in his growing development in the Kings organization, he should get the looks of upper management with the NHL team. With the uncertainty of expiring contracts of centers Jordan Nolan (RFA), and Jarret Stoll’s (UFA). Currently the Kings are $160 under the salary cap, and will look to shed some relief this summer. Shore would be a great addition, and a cap friendly move with his NHL salary only being $925,000.

AHL Monarchs forward Nick Shore scores two goals on November 2, 2014 against the Hershey Bears

AHL Monarchs forward Nick Shore has his second multi goal game against the Springfield Falcons on November 8, 2014