The Vancouver Canucks announced the signing of 26-year-old American center Drew Shore on Sunday, and he'll join the club out of Switzerland for the remainder of the season.
As Vancouver plays out another lost season, on track to miss the playoffs in back-to-back campaigns and third time in four years, it appears Shore - one of the top scorers in the Swiss league this season - is going to get a chance to show what he can do in the 14 games the Canucks have left.
"Big guy, he really stepped up his offensive game in the Swiss League. We believe he can come in and help us." - Coach Desjardins
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 12, 2017
Below are three things you need to know about the newest Canuck.
Swiss success
After playing the majority of his hockey in the AHL since 2013, Shore departed for Switzerland in 2016, and the decision clearly paid off.
A superb season for Kloten HC saw Shore finish near the top of the scoring leaderboard in 50 games. Here's where his production ranked:
| Statistic | Rank |
|---|---|
| 24 goals | 3rd |
| 24 assists | T-10th |
| 48 points | T-4th |
| 0.98 PPG | T-10th |
While Shore tore up the competition, his team didn't.
Kloten won only 19 of 50 games, finishing the season in ninth place in the standings, and missing the playoffs.
With Vancouver selling at the trade deadline, acquiring Nkolay Goldobin from San Jose and Jonathan Dahlen from Ottawa, and the Canucks also seemingly forever banged up by injury, Shore's season ending early in Switzerland means the Canucks are willing to give him a chance. And why not?
It's a low-risk move for Jim Benning and co., and Shore should certainly be motivated to have some NHL hockey left to play this season.
NHL experience
Shore came up with USA Hockey, part of its developmental program, and was drafted 44th overall in the second round by the Florida Panthers in 2009. He went off to college that fall, and spent three seasons at the University of Denver. In his final two NCAA seasons, he scored 23 and 22 goals, respectively, and finished with 99 points in 82 games. There's always been offense in his stick.
After a short stint in the AHL with San Antonio after his final college season in 2011-2012, Shore split 2012-13 between San Antonio and the Panthers. He finished with three goals and 13 points in his first 43 NHL games. It's been mostly AHL hockey since, in the Panthers and Calgary Flames organizations:
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | San Antonio | 50 | 6 | 26 | 32 |
| 2013-14 | Panthers | 24 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 2014-15 | San Antonio | 35 | 9 | 21 | 30 |
| 2014-15 | Adirondack (AHL) | 12 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 2014-15 | Flames | 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2015-16 | Stockton (AHL) | 59 | 10 | 28 | 38 |
| 2015-16 | Flames | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
After playing only 13 games in the NHL in two years, it's no surprise Shore traded in minor-league buses for Swiss hockey. But he does join Vancouver with 80 games, nine goals, and 15 assists on his NHL resume.
His new teammates are excited
Shore's a big body. He's 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds - according to Elite Prospects - shoots right, and can play center and right wing.
And a couple of his new teammates are familiar with and excited about what he can bring to the team:
"Two-way player, good speed and shot," Sven Baertschi said. "We played a few games together and he's solid. He's a great guy in the room, too."
The newest Canuck is also deft at keeping secrets:
Granlund, good buddies with Drew Shore, said the two spoke this morning. "We didn't talk about that though! I had no idea he signed!"
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 12, 2017
Shore will join the Canucks on Monday, and will wear No. 42.
Vancouver's in action three times next week: Monday at home to Boston, Thursday hosting Dallas, and Saturday in Edmonton. While it's unlikely Shore's in the lineup against the Bruins, expect him to be playing versus the Stars.
That'll leave the young man with 13 games to make a lasting impression.
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