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Nick Shore has come ashore from the KHL.

A veteran of 236 NHL games who found work dried up on this side of the pond, the two-way centre spent last season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk before signing for a cap-friendly $750,000 US with Toronto.

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“It was a bit of a surprise last year,” Shore said of finding himself in Russian steel country to keep his career active. “It’s different, the living situation, the hockey. I was there by myself, it was definitely a culture experience. ButI’ve nothing bad to say. You take it as a positive (16 points in 37 games) and move forward.”

Shore was a third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings eight years ago and had two full seasons with them and a whole lot of bits and pieces between there, Calgary and Ottawa. The Denver product hopes to add to the Leafs’ fortunes from a growing contribution by that city’s NCAA Pioneers. Tyler Bozak and Trevor Moore also played for the school.

The 6-foot-1 Shore hopes to be in the fourth line mix at camp, though Jason Spezza has the inside track at centre, Frederik Gauthier returns and other budget signings will contend.

“Play your game, do the little things and that will take care of itself,” Shore said.

lhornby@postmedia.com