Kamloops native Gore commits to Thompson Rivers WolfPack

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Men’s hockey team has its first committed player.

Forward David Gore (Kamloops, BC) has decided to continue his hockey career with the WolfPack after finishing up his junior career with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League's Kamloops Storm.

"This is great for me," said the 21-year old Gore of joining the first-year BC Intercollegiate Hockey League team. "I can continue on with my education and still play hockey."

Gore is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program with an eye at medical school in the future.

"The last couple of years with the Storm it was hard to concentrate on school," says Gore. "I had to miss labs because they conflicted with practice and playoff games. Education will finally play a bigger role and the instructors will hopefully be more understanding if I have to miss the odd class."

"David is a skilled forward," says WolfPack head coach Chris Hans. "He thinks the game well, has good on-ice vision and is an accomplished play-making centre. I’ve watched him progress through the hockey ranks for several years.”

He was the Storm’s as well as the Okanagan/Shuswap leading scorer this past season scoring 24 goals and 35 assists in 52 games. He added five goals and nine assists in the playoffs.

Gore hasn’t played for WolfPack head coach Chris Hans, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know what to expect when he hits the ice. His younger brother Lucas, who plays for the Western Hockey League's Chilliwack Bruins

"He speaks very highly of him and I’m looking forward to playing for Chris," says Gore. 

The WolfPack's first addition is a proven winner, having helped the Storm win the 2009 KIJHL Okanagan Shuswap division regular season and playoff championships, and the 2008 Eddie Mountain Division crown. Gore played his minor hockey in Kamloops.

"David is an integral player to build our program around," adds Hans. "He has the grades (4.0) to achieve his goals. In addition to having a good hockey skill set, he is also a good person and has exceptional leadership characteristics. He is an example of how a collegiate hockey program benefits our community. It allows players like David to continue their studies, while playing at home before family and friends."

The WolfPack open their training camp in early September.