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Fargo Force

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Fargo Force
File:Fargo Force Logo (2017-).svg
CityFargo, North Dakota
LeagueUnited States Hockey League
ConferenceWest
Founded2008
Home arenaScheels Arena
ColorsBlack, blue, white
     
Owner(s)Ace Brandt
General managerCary Eades (2015–16)
Head coachCary Eades (2015–16)
Franchise history
2008–presentFargo Force
Championships
Playoff championships1 (2018)

The Fargo Force is a Tier I junior ice hockey team in the Western Conference of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

History

In early 2007, Fargo was granted a USHL team, intended as an anchor tenant for the then-under-construction Urban Plains Center, which is now called Scheels Arena. Dean Blais, former coach of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey program, was installed as the franchise's initial coach and general manager. The team was formed, in conjunction with a name-the-team contest to decide what the team would be called. After the choices were narrowed to Fargo Force, Fargo Phantoms, and Fargo Fire, the Force name was chosen. Twelve people submitted the Force name; as a result, they won a dinner with head coach Dean Blais and each received two season tickets to the Force's inaugural season.[1]

As a result of the Force's entry, the area's previous hockey team, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the North American Hockey League announced they were leaving the area in April 2008,[2] and folded later that year.[3]

Blais coached the team to the USHL's Clark Cup Finals in 2008–09, leaving to take the head coaching position at Nebraska-Omaha. His successor, Chad Johnson, a former assistant, again led the Force to the Clark Cup Finals in 2009–10. Assistant Jason Herter took over the team in 2010 when Johnson left to join the Lincoln Stars. Jason Herter left after the 2010–11 season to become an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. John Marks became head coach after leaving the same position for the Winkler Flyers in Manitoba, Canada.

Marks retired following the 2014–15 season and was replaced by former University of North Dakota player/assistant coach Cary Eades, who had just led the Sioux Falls Stampede to the 2014–15 Clark Cup Championship.

In 2018, Fargo won the Clark Cup Finals over the Youngstown Phantoms to win their first championship in team history.

Season-by-season records

Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
2008–09 60 32 23 5 69 191 166 1135 3rd, Western Conf. Won quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Omaha Lancers
Won semifinals, 3–0 vs. Lincoln Stars
Lost Clark Cup Finals, 1–3 vs. Indiana Ice
2009–10 60 37 17 6 80 227 214 1474 2nd Western Conf. Won quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede
Won semifinals, 3–2 vs. Omaha Lancers
Lost Clark Cup Finals, 2–3 vs. Green Bay Gamblers
2010–11 60 33 22 5 71 173 151 1201 4th, Western Conf. Won conf. quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Lincoln Stars
Lost conf. semifinals, 0–3 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints
2011–12 60 31 23 6 68 188 160 1007 4th, Western Conf. Won conf. quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Lost conf. semifinals, 1–3 vs. Lincoln Stars
2012–13 64 38 19 7 83 201 187 981 2nd, Western Conf. Won conf. semifinals, 3–2 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
Won conf. finals, 3–2 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede
Lost Clark Cup Finals, 0–3 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints
2013–14 60 14 39 7 35 122 229 1275 8th, Western Conf. Did not qualify
2014–15 60 26 28 6 58 148 191 933 6th, Western Conf. Did not qualify
2015–16 60 32 26 2 66 157 150 995 5th, Western Conf. Did not qualify
2016–17 60 36 19 4 77 193 149 792 3rd, Western Conf. Lost conf. semifinals, 0–3 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
2017–18 60 37 16 7 81 208 133 985 3rd, Western Conf. Won first round, 2–0 vs. Tri-City Storm
Won conf. semifinals, 3–1 vs. Omaha Lancers
Won conf. finals, 3–1 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
Won Clark Cup finals, 3–1 vs. Youngstown Phantoms

Coaches

  • Head coach and general manager: Cary Eades
  • Associate head coach: Pierre-Paul Lamoureux
  • Assistant coach and goalie coach: Eli Rosendahl
  • Assistant coach and director of scouting: Brad Lutsch


NHL Draft Picks

The Fargo Force have been host to the following NHL draft picks.[4]

Year Drafted Player Drafted Team Round
2009 Nick Oliver Nashville Predators 4th round, 110th overall
2009 Mike Lee Arizona Coyotes 3rd round, 91st overall
2009 Josh Birkholz Florida Panthers 3rd round, 67th overall
2011 Garrett Haar Washington Capitals 7th round, 207th overall
2012 Colton Hargrove Boston Bruins 7th round, 205th overall[5]
2012 Brian Cooper Anaheim Ducks 5th round, 127th overall
2012 Dominic Toninato Toronto Maple Leafs 5th round, 126th overall[6]
2012 Ben Johnson New Jersey Devils 3rd round, 90th overall[7]
2013 Jonny Brodzinski Los Angeles Kings 5th round, 148th overall[8]
2013 Teemu Kivihalme Nashville Predators 5th round, 140th overall
2016 Chase Priskie Washington Capitals 6th round, 177th overall
2016 Riley Tufte Dallas Stars 1st round, 25th overall[9]
2017 Jack Adams Detroit Red Wings 6th round, 162nd overall
2017 Denis Smirnov Colorado Avalanche 6th round, 156th overall[10]
2017 Clayton Phillips Pittsburgh Penguins 3rd round, 93rd overall[11]
2018 Ryan O'Reilly Detroit Red Wings 4th round, 98th overall[12]

Awards and Player Recognition

  • Jack Adams – 2016–17 All-USHL Team
  • Ryan Bischel – 2017 U.S. Junior Select Team[13]
  • Hank Crone – 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team
  • Ty Farmer – 2017–18 All-USHL Team[14]
  • Blake Lizotte – 2016–17 All-USHL Team[15]
  • Michael Mancinelli – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Strauss Mann – 2017–18 All-USHL Team
  • Ryan O'Reilly – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Clayton Phillips – 2016–17 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup – 2017–18 All-USHL Team
  • Denis Smirnov – 2015–16 All-USHL Team[16]

Prospects Games Participants

  • Jack Adams – 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[17]
  • Charlie Dovorany – 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Mikey Eyssimont – 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[18]
  • Gabe Guertler – 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[19]
  • Brendan Harms – 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Matt Kessel – 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Ryan O'Reilly – 2017 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Clayton Phillips – 2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Ryan Savage – 2017 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[20]
  • Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup – 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Denis Smirnov – 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Riley Tufte – 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game[21]

References

  1. ^ Fargo Force : About
  2. ^ Archive_order | INFORUM | Fargo, North Dakota - Moorhead, Minnesota [dead link]
  3. ^ Fargo-Moorhead ceases operations
  4. ^ "USHL Players In NHL Drafts". USHL.com.
  5. ^ "Bruins Sign Force Alum to NHL Deal". USHL.com.
  6. ^ "NHL Draft 2012: Dominic Toninato - 5th Round 126th Overall". pensionplanpuppets.com.
  7. ^ "Ben Johnson: The Third Round Pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 NHL Draft". allaboutthejersey.com.
  8. ^ "Jonny Brodzinski Selected By Los Angeles Kings 5th Round and 148th Overall in 2013 NHL Draft". NHL.com.
  9. ^ "Dallas Stars Select Left Wing Riley Tufte In The First Round Of 2016 NHL Draft". NHL.com.
  10. ^ "Avalanche Picks Denis Smirnov No. 156 Overall At 2017 NHL Draft". NHL.com.
  11. ^ "2017 NHL Draft: Pittsburgh Penguins select Clayton Phillips in 3rd round". pensburgh.com.
  12. ^ "Detroit Red Wings Select Ryan O'Reilly in 4th Round and 98th Overall In 2018 NHL Draft". NHL.com.
  13. ^ "2017 U.S. Junior Select Team". USAHockey.com.
  14. ^ "2018 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com.
  15. ^ "2017 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com.
  16. ^ "2016 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com.
  17. ^ "2017 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters". USHL.com.
  18. ^ "Rosters Named For 2015 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game". USHL.com.
  19. ^ "40 Players Chosen For USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game". NHL.com.
  20. ^ "2018 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced". USHL.com.
  21. ^ "All-American Prospects Game All-Time Roster". AllAmericanProspectsGame.com.
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