Shore salutes mother as she helps fight coronavirus

The first time Devin Shore saw a photo of his mom wearing a mask at work in her attempt to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, he was overcome with both pride and fear.

"There were a mix of emotions back in March when it happened," the Columbus Blue Jackets forward said. "I know she's careful, but it still puts things in perspective and you worry. At the same time, she's dedicated to help people and I love her for that.
"I'm blessed to play in the NHL, and I know a lot of people look up to NHL players. But she's my real inspiration. That's my message to her on Mother's Day."
Andrea Shore is an occupational health nurse with Lakeridge Health, which oversees a number of hospitals and health care facilities east of Toronto. She describes her role as being one of a handful of nurses for the 5,000 employees of the organization.
"In other words, I look after the people who look after the patients," she said.

If any doctors, nurses or other health care workers under her watch contract or are exposed to the coronavirus, it is her job to research and track down their recent history. The goals: Find out where they might have contracted the virus, and discover who they may have been in contact with in order to limit the spread.
"I feel like I'm a detective these days," she said. "You are trying to find out the who, what, when, where, why.
"There's been some long days in the hospitals since this started, and you see firsthand just how lethal this virus can be. It shows you how amazing the dedication of the staff is. People pass away, which is heartbreaking, and yet the goal of trying to help remains.
"The thing is, being a nurse isn't a job. It's who you are. That's the way I look at it."
Shore isn't surprised at his mother's dedication. He said the adversity she has faced the past two years is proof of it.
"She had to battle her own serious health issues, her dad passed away, and she still marches on," he said. "Her resiliency is amazing."
To his point: Andrea Shore had a heart attack May 28, 2018. Three weeks later, she was back at work.
On April 18, her father, Tim, died of natural causes at age 86. Accompanied by her husband Kyle, Andrea Shore was holding her dad's hand at his bedside when died.
"Here she is, working to help fight the pandemic, and then Grandpa Tim passes away and she's there," Devin Shore said. "That's the type of example she and my dad have set for my brother Darin and I all of our lives."

Kyle Shore, Devin's father, loved hockey as a boy growing up in Pickering, Ontario, just east of Toronto. He played minor hockey for years on a team coached by his father, Dale, and whose goalie was Glenn Healy, a close family friend who is now the head of the NHL Alumni Association.
When Devin Shore and his younger brother Darin were old enough to skate, their parents built a backyard rink for the boys at their home in Ajax, 10 miles east of Toronto. Their personal sheet of dreams, complete with boards, was called Shore Gardens and was a gathering place for area kids, including Drake Caggiula, now a forward with the Chicago Blackhawks.
"Mom would tie our skates when we couldn't, drive us to games, whatever we needed," Devin Shore said. "My dad too. And distance was never an issue. I mean, when I played at the University of Maine, my mom and dad would regularly drive 10 hours to come see me play."

Devin Shore is doing his part in the fight against the coronavirus. Andrea Shore said her son donated an undisclosed number of gift cards from a local restaurant for Lakeridge Health employees in support of their efforts and sacrifices.
"I'm so proud of Devin, not because he's an NHL player, but because of the person he's become," she said. "I feel that way about both my boys. That's another example.
"As for him being in the NHL, that's just surreal. I'll be watching his games on TV and be in disbelief that it's my kid out there. It's unbelievable."

Shore has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 45 games this season with the Anaheim Ducks and Blue Jackets; Columbus acquired him in a trade Feb. 24.
With the NHL season paused since March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Shore is in self-quarantine with fiancee Maggie Malone in Halifax, Nova Scotia, so there will be no in-person Mother's Day hugs Sunday. A virtual one will have to do.
"She's one of my heroes," he said. "And she's proving it again by what she's doing to try to help during this pandemic.
"Happy Mother's Day, Mom."