In The Neighborhood

December / January, 2012

Colorado's First Family of Hockey

Studies show that less than one percent of youth hockey players in America will be good enough to play at the NCAA Division I level. So, mothers, don't let your babies bank on hockey scholarships.

By Mike Chambers

That might seem surprising to Sarah Shore of Cherry Hills Village, who is producing multiple valedictorian-type hockey players with National Hockey League potential.

Sarah and her husband David met at the University of Denver while attending law school in 1986. Their first date was at a Pioneers' hockey game. Twenty-five years later, their two oldest sons are standouts for DU, a third will join the program next fall, and a fourth might become the best of the bunch.

Four children, four excellent hockey players who believe character and commitment account for more than wins and losses. "We're really proud of them," Sarah said of her sons. "They're great kids, and they've worked their tushes off to get where they are."

Drew Shore, 20, is a junior center, co-captain and leading scorer for the Pioneers. Nick Shore, 19, is a sophomore center who spearheads DU's second line. And Quentin Shore, 17, committed to DU in August and will follow his brothers as a blue-chip, full-scholarship forward beginning next season. Baker Shore, 12, is playing for the Colorado Thunderbirds' 13-under team coached by former Colorado Avalanche captain Adam Foote.

"I think he's got potential to be the best," Drew said of Baker, who trains with his brothers during the summer and takes daily pointers from them. "We've all skated with him, driven him to practice when we turned 16, and we're always telling him he better be the best. We've all influenced him in different ways, and I'm looking forward to watching him grow up and go through what we're doing now."

Sarah and David are benefiting from their sacrifice. They allowed Drew to move to Canada when he was 13 to play in a more competitive hockey culture, and Drew spent his four years of high school playing for two prestigious programs in Michigan.

Thanks to the Thunderbirds and the rapid improvement of Colorado elite-level youth hockey, Nick and Quentin stuck around the Cherry Hills home until after their sophomore years of high school. They each left Colorado to begin a two-year commitment for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"They're almost like the first family of Colorado, in terms of hockey, based on what their kids are achieving," said Angelo Ricci, Thunderbirds director and U16 coach. "They're polite young guys, and they're driven to achieve."

Drew and Nick are the only brothers to play for the USNDP at the same time, and when Quentin finishes this season with the U18s, they will be the only three brothers to play for the young American all-star system.

"Some people say things happen for a reason," Drew said. "I definitely didn't know for a while where I wanted to go to school, but now things are just starting to fall into place. The fact that Quentin is coming next year, my senior year, and my parents will get to watch every game, plus one set of grandparents and an aunt and uncle, it's just home for us."

Drew, who led DU in scoring last season, might not be around next year. He was a second-round selection (44th overall) in the 2009 NHL draft by the Florida Panthers and will undoubtedly be enticed to forgo his senior year to sign a lucrative professional deal. Nick was a third-round pick (82nd overall) of the Los Angeles Kings in June, but he likely will play at least three years at DU. Quentin is eligible for the 2012 draft.

Work hard, play hard

Neither parent grew up playing hockey, but both were athletic. Sarah was a tennis player at North Carolina and David a lacrosse player at Connecticut College. When Drew showed interest in playing for the Junior Pioneers youth program, they approved. Since then, their life has been one nonstop shuttle between practices and games.

"They never told us we had to play hockey," Nick said. "We always had the freedom to make our own decisions and they would be there to support us and give us the best.

"DU hockey was always something I grew up watching, and I always had an idea in the back of my mind that I wanted to play college hockey. Denver ended up being the right spot for me personally, and my parents can come watch us play. They're loving it as well."

Drew is proud to have been the ringleader. "I definitely want them to want to follow me," he said of his brothers. "As an older brother, one of the things you're looked upon to do is set a good example. I think I've done a pretty good job overall.

"The hard work is what my parents instilled in us. 'Work hard, play hard' was always their motto. Whatever you do, you have to do it hard-whether it was schoolwork, hockey or lacrosse. It definitely came from them."

Said David Shore: "What makes it work for our guys is that they're passionate about playing the game, and they work hard. And I think the four boys push each other, in one way or another."

Ah, pushing. There is that, and shoving.

"Having three brothers is a huge benefit," Nick said. "Things can get pretty competitive. I always have two brothers to push me."

"We can have a competition on who's going to sit in the front seat of the car or who's going to make egg whites in the morning," David said. "They compete for everything."

That's best for Baker. "Baker has the advantage of having three older brothers," Nick said. "He's been sort of getting beat up by the three of us throughout his childhood, so hopefully it works out for him."

"If you ask me, the biggest thing is, it comes from within," said Sarah. "We've been lucky, because they all have the desire."

Mike Chambers covers the Colorado Avalanche and University of Denver Pioneers for The Denver Post.