University of Maine hockey captain Devin Shore said his decision to sign a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars and forego his senior year was “bittersweet.”
“I am so thankful to the University of Maine for what it did for me. It was a pleasure to play here,” said Shore, a second-round draft pick of the Stars. “But it has always been my dream to play pro hockey, and I feel I’m ready for the next challenge.”
Shore wouldn’t discuss the terms of his two-way contract, but he said he was “ecstatic” with it.
Shore, a center, will leave Maine tied for 51st on the school’s all-time scoring list with 104 points in 112 games.
He notched 34 goals and dished out 70 assists and led the team in scoring all three years.
Shore had 35 points on 14 goals and 21 assists in 39 games this past season.
His best year was the 2013-14 campaign when he had 14 goals and 29 assists in 35 games and was named a second team All-American and first team All-Hockey East selection.
Shore left Tuesday morning for Cedar Park, Texas, the home of Dallas’ American Hockey League affiliate the Texas Stars.
Shore said he intends to “keep things simple.”
“I’m going to work really hard and focus on my defensive game. I want to take care of stuff in my own end first [and let the offense take care of itself],” said Shore, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound native of Ajax, Ontario. “I’m going to be a good teammate and help the team any way I can.”
Shore said the Dallas organization is top-notch and has treated him very well.
Maine head coach Red Gendron said he was sad for Maine hockey to not have the services of Shore next season but was really happy for him.
“This is what kids dream of. Devin is a big center iceman who can play on both sides of the puck and do a very good job that way,” Gendron said. “He can play on both sides of the special teams. His combination of size, skill, sense and ability to play well offensively and defensively is what makes him an attractive player.”
In a Sports Illustrated story, Dallas general manager Jim Nill said, “Devin has tremendous hockey sense and he is ready to continue his development at the professional level.
“Red Gendron and his staff at Maine did an excellent job of preparing Devin and giving him the tools to make this transition.”
The 20-year-old Shore said his time in Maine will provide him with lasting memories.
He said the highlights include “the home games and the energy in the rink especially when we scored a big goal.”
He said he had the pleasure of playing with an exceptional group of teammates who were quality people, and he will always remember the community support for the program.
Shore is working with his professors so he can finish his schoolwork for this semester, and he said he will eventually finish his degree.
“School is very important to me,” said Shore, a Maine Scholar-Athlete the past two years and a Hockey East All-Academic Team choice both years.