WHL Team Has Their Eyes On DU Recruit

From: The Province
by Marc Weber

(left) The Chilliwack Chiefs hope to lure Drew Shore away from DU before he enrolls in 2009

Forward Drew Shore, the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins' second-round pick in 2006, has verbally committed to the University of Denver in 2009, according to several Denver-area blogs, including the Denver Post.

Until Bruins GM Darrell May hears otherwise, however, that is not to say that the 22nd pick overall and first American taken in the '06 WHL Bantam Draft is NCAA bound. Only that if he decides on the NCAA route, it will be with the Pioneers.

"He hasn't told us that he's going there for sure," May said Monday. "He's always been up front with us and right now we're continuing to talk to him. We're still hopeful that he'll decide to come our way."

Shore, a native of Englewood, Colorado, played his bantam hockey with North Shore Winter Club, and played spring hockey along side current Bruins 16-year-old forward Ryan Howse. But Shore chose to play for the U.S. National Team Development Program this season rather than come to the Dub.

Listed at 5-11, 160 pounds on draft day by the Bruins, the 16-year-old is apparently checking in around 6-1, 185, these days. Both his parents are University of Denver law grads, so the Western Collegiate Hockey Association squad was a natural choice for him.

Next season, 2008-09, Shore could remain with the under-17 USDT squad for another year, or he could jump to the WHL. Recent well-known USDT alumns include Chicago Blackhawks stud Patrick Kane, who jumped to the OHL after his time with the development team.

When Shore was drafted, here's what the Bruins posted as May's scouting report: "Very skilled. Great play maker. Worked well playing on the same line as Ryan Howse in spring hockey the last two seasons. His best asset is his play making ability."