After returning to North America this season to play 14 games down the stretch for the Vancouver Canucks, Drew Shore is headed back to Switzerland. The pending restricted free agent has signed a two-year deal with ZSC Lions (Zurich) of the NLA. The Lions are perhaps best known as being the Swiss club Auston Matthews spent a year playing for before being drafted, and employing Marc Crawford as head coach before he took a job with the Ottawa Senators this season.
Shore played most of the 2016-17 season in Switzerland, scoring 48 points in 50 games for Kloten HC before returning to the NHL in March to sign with the Canucks. Unfortunately, he was still unable to find much success and registered just two points in his 14 NHL games. Now, the eldest brother of a hockey-playing family—Nick Shore plays for the Kings, while Quentin Shore spends his days in the Los Angeles’ minor league system. Baker Shore, the youngest, will likely be drafted in just a few weeks—will continue his dream in Europe where he found more success than even in the AHL.
At just 26, the former second-round pick could theoretically make a return to the NHL and have an impact in a few years but it is unlikely. Leaving the NHL once for the European leagues is one thing, but heading across again after not making it is another. Though the NLA is a very competitive league filled with former NHL talent, it would be hard to see Shore make it back in any sort of important role. He will however likely be in consideration for an Olympic spot for Team USA if the NHL holds true to its promise to not go to the Games. He’s previously competed for the US in international tournaments including the World Championships. As he’ll be up against mostly college-aged kids, his experience at both the NHL level and European leagues would be invaluable.