NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Whitby Fury forward Devin Shore (photo credit - TBSG Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear South-East Conference Player-of-the-Month after recording 25 points in 12 games played throughout the month of January.

The rookie forward helped the Fury to a 7-2-3 record during the month as the club battled their divisional opponents for top-ranking in the East Division standings. Shore recorded points in all 12 January games and currently sits on a 14 game point scoring streak. His totals included eight multi-point outings with his first career junior hat trick, as well as his second four point game of the season, coming in a 6-0 victory over Mississauga. Shore’s overall numbers include a team-high 29 goals, ranking ninth best in the OJHL, as well as 58 points, which is second on the club and eleventh overall in the league. Also a tremendous playmaker and key contributor to the Fury’s power play, he has notched 17 power play assists on the season to sixth among all OJHL players.

Shore was clearly thrilled to receive the award, "It is an honour to receive this award, knowing how competitive the East Division is and respecting the players in the South Division. To be mentioned with the top players in the two divisions is cool".

"Devin has been outstanding for our hockey club all season long. He is a very hard working player, who brings the same work ethic each night and is very good in both ends of the ice,” said Fury Head Coach Curtis Hodgins, who also happened to be Shore’s coach during his MVP performance at the recent World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.

Anthony Mastrodicasa of the Vaughan Vipers was runner-up to Shore as the South-East Conference Player-of-the-Month. The 2010-11 OJHL Top Defenceman and current captain of the Vipers recorded 17 points in 10 games played, including four consecutive game-winning goals. Three of the game-winners were scored during all-important divisional match-ups, helping the Vipers in their push for a first round playoff bye.
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Devin Shore was born on July 19, 1994 and grew up playing his minor hockey in Ajax, Ontario. After playing his minor midget season as a member of the Ajax-Pickering Raiders in 2009-10, Shore, who would be heavily recruited as a 16-year old, chose to join a private school in Vaughan, The Hill Academy.

Although not officially playing in a league, the Hill Pride would play in numerous tournaments and exhibition games throughout Canada and the U.S. Shore would continue his stellar progression, racking up more than 90 points throughout the season to lead the Pride, while also attracting the attention of both OHL and NCAA scouts, a decision he would agonize over for most of the year. Having to make such a life-changing decision at a young age is tough for the most mature of kids that age, but the importance of an education in his life, his Grade 11 average was 96%, ultimately swayed Shore to choose the NCAA route and in February he made a commitment to the University of Maine Black Bears.

Following the season, Shore would be selected in the 4th round, 69th overall, of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection by the Barrie Colts. However, with his NCAA decision already made, Shore joined the OJHL’s Whitby Fury.

Thus far this season he has not disappointed. As well as leading the Fury with 29 goals and sitting 11th overall in league scoring with 58 points, Shore has rocketed up NHL Central Scouting’s Draft Rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Invited to try-out for Team Canada East before ever playing a game of junior hockey, Shore would not just make the club, but dominate play at the 2011 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Langley, B.C., helping his team capture a silver medal while earning Most Valuable Player honours in the tournament. Then over Christmas, he was selected to play for the East Division All-Stars at the inaugural Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that took place in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Following his successes, Shore was most recently ranked 75th overall among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s mid-season rankings.