NHL.com feature on Kings prospects; LAKings.com feature

Alyssa Dombrowski, an NHL.com correspondent and the AHL’s Coordinator of Social Media and Communications, recently spoke with Kings prospects Derek Forbort and Nick Shore, who once were teammates with the 2008-09 USNTDP U-17 and are now roommates who play for the 2013-14 Manchester Monarchs.

Off the ice, Shore and Forbort live together along with fellow Monarchs rookie Scott Sabourin, a situation that has proven to be mutually beneficial for all three prospects.

“We’re all going through it together for the first time, so it’s nice to have those guys there to just deal with the things that come with being a pro,” Forbort said.

“It’s been a really good experience so far,” Shore said. “I think we’ve all really enjoyed it and are eager to get going with the rest of the season.”

That eagerness is exactly what makes for a successful player and teammate, according to Morris.

“They both continue to absorb any type of critique of their game and are quick to try to apply it to their repertoire,” Morris said. “Neither player seems to be about themselves — they’re well-liked by everybody that they play with on a daily basis.”

Learn more about Shore and Forbort, and read Mark Morris’ comments about the two: History helping Kings prospects learn in the present

While you’re here, check out California Cold Rush: Home is Where the Heart Is, by LAKings.com’s Deborah Lew, which highlights the migration of Kings alumni and Canadian expats to Southern California.

“You’re getting these major stars, whether in LA it’s Wayne Gretzky or Luc Robitaille or Dave Taylor, and in Anaheim you’re getting Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer, and maybe Ryan Getzlaf – these people are staying and it’s almost a source of pride for the fans to see that not only are they great players, but they love it here and they’re staying here,” explains O’Donnell. “They’re part of the team we cheer for and the city we live in, and everyone likes to be proud of where they’re living.”

With the current and somewhat uncharacteristic January heat wave in SoCal, O’Donnell sent a photo of scantily-clad people playing beach volleyball to his parents, who, at the time, were caught in a snow-storm in Ottawa. The only text necessary said: January 7th.

What was their response?

“Something that I can’t say in an interview,” laughs O’Donnell.

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