Fargo Force

The Fargo Force is a Tier I junior ice hockey team in the Western Conference of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Force have won one league championship in 2018 and was awarded USHL Organization Of The Year for 2008–09 and 2012–13.

Fargo Force
CityFargo, North Dakota
LeagueUnited States Hockey League
ConferenceWest
Founded2008
Home arenaScheels Arena
ColorsBlack, blue, white
              
Owner(s)Ace Brandt
General managerCary Eades
Head coachPierre-Paul Lamoureux
Franchise history
2008–presentFargo Force
Championships
Playoff championships1 (2018)

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. Following the 2018–19 season, Eades stepped down from his coaching position, retaining the general manager title, and associate coach Pierre-Paul Lamoureux was named head coach.[4]

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLOTLPtsGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2008–0960322356919116611353rd, 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
2009–1060371768022721414742nd 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
2010–1160332257117315112014th, Western Conf.Won conf. quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Lincoln Stars
Lost conf. semifinals, 0–3 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints
2011–1260312366818816010074th, Western Conf.Won conf. quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Lost conf. semifinals, 1–3 vs. Lincoln Stars
2012–136438197832011879812nd, 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
2013–1460143973512222912758th, Western Conf.Did not qualify
2014–156026286581481919336th, Western Conf.Did not qualify
2015–166032262661571509955th, Western Conf.Did not qualify
2016–176036194771931497923rd, Western Conf.Lost conf. semifinals, 0–3 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
2017–186037167812081339853rd, 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
2018–196234235731881729105th, Western Conf.Lost first round, 0–2 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers
2019–204827156601531438473rd, Western Conf.Season cancelled

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

NHL draft picks

The Fargo Force have had the following players picked in the NHL draft.[5]

Year draftedPlayerDrafted teamPick
2008Luke WitkowskiTampa Bay Lightning6th round, 160th overall
2009Josh BirkholzFlorida Panthers3rd round, 67th overall
Mike LeeArizona Coyotes3rd round, 91st overall
Nick OliverNashville Predators4th round, 110th overall
2010Zane McIntyreBoston Bruins6th round, 165th overall
2011Garrett HaarWashington Capitals7th round, 207th overall
2012Ben JohnsonNew Jersey Devils3rd round, 90th overall[6]
Dominic ToninatoToronto Maple Leafs5th round, 126th overall[7]
Brian CooperAnaheim Ducks5th round, 127th overall[8]
Colton HargroveBoston Bruins7th round, 205th overall
2013Teemu KivihalmeNashville Predators5th round, 140th overall
Jonny BrodzinskiLos Angeles Kings5th round, 148th overall[9]
2016Riley TufteDallas Stars1st round, 25th overall[10]
Chase PriskieWashington Capitals6th round, 177th overall
2017Clayton PhillipsPittsburgh Penguins3rd round, 93rd overall[11]
Denis SmirnovColorado Avalanche6th round, 156th overall[12]
Jack AdamsDetroit Red Wings6th round, 162nd overall
2018Ryan O'ReillyDetroit Red Wings4th round, 98th overall[13]
Michael KesselringEdmonton Oilers6th round, 164th overall[14]
2019Aaron HuglenBuffalo Sabres4th round, 102nd overall
Josh NodlerCalgary Flames5th round, 150th overall

Awards and player recognition
  • Jack Adams – 2016–17 All-USHL Team, 2016-17 USHL Most Goals[15]
  • Ryan Bischel – 2017 U.S. Junior Select Team[16]
  • Dean Blais – 2008-09 USHL Coach of the Year
  • Hank Crone – 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team,[17]
  • Cary Eades – 1991-92 USHL General Manager of the Year, 2012–13 USHL Coach of the Year
  • Ty Farmer – 2017–18 All-USHL Team[18]
  • Teemu Kivihalme - 2013 U.S. Junior Select Team[19]
  • Mike Lee - 2008-09 USHL Goaltender of the Year
  • Blake Lizotte – 2016–17 All-USHL Team,[20] 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team
  • Michael Mancinelli – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Strauss Mann – 2017–18 All-USHL Team
  • Ben Meyers – 2018–19 All-USHL Team[21]
  • Zane McIntyre - 2011-12 USHL Goaltender of the Year
  • Josh Nodler - 2018 U.S. Junior Select Team[22] 2018-19 USHL All-Rookie Team[23]
  • Ryan O'Reilly – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team, 2018 U.S. Junior Select Team
  • Clayton Phillips – 2016–17 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Nate Schmidt – 2009–10 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup – 2017–18 All-USHL Team
  • Denis Smirnov – 2015–16 All-USHL Team[24]
  • Anthony Taranto – 2008–09 All-USHL Team

Prospects games participants
  • Jack Adams – 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[25]
  • Kaden Bohlsen – 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Charlie Dovorany – 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Mikey Eyssimont – 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[26]
  • Cedric Fiedler – 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[27]
  • Gabe Guertler – 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game[28]
  • Brendan Harms – 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Matt Kessel – 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Josh Nodler – 2019 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[29]
  • Nate Schmidt – 2010 USHL All-Star Game
  • 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[30]
  • Luke Witkowski – 2009 USHL All-Star Game

References
  1. "Fargo Force : About". Archived from the original on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  2. Archive_order | INFORUM | Fargo, North Dakota - Moorhead, Minnesota
  3. Fargo-Moorhead ceases operations
  4. "Eades stepping away from coaching hockey, Lamoureux named head coach of the Force". inforum.com. May 28, 2019.
  5. "USHL Players In NHL Drafts". USHL.com. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  6. "Ben Johnson: The Third Round Pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 NHL Draft". allaboutthejersey.com.
  7. "NHL Draft 2012: Dominic Toninato - 5th Round 126th Overall". pensionplanpuppets.com.
  8. "Bruins Sign Force Alum to NHL Deal". USHL.com.
  9. "Jonny Brodzinski Selected By Los Angeles Kings 5th Round and 148th Overall in 2013 NHL Draft". National Hockey League.
  10. "Dallas Stars Select Left Wing Riley Tufte In The First Round Of 2016 NHL Draft". National Hockey League.
  11. "2017 NHL Draft: Pittsburgh Penguins select Clayton Phillips in 3rd round". pensburgh.com.
  12. "Avalanche Picks Denis Smirnov No. 156 Overall At 2017 NHL Draft". National Hockey League.
  13. "Detroit Red Wings Select Ryan O'Reilly in 4th Round and 98th Overall In 2018 NHL Draft". National Hockey League.
  14. "Sixth Round: Edmonton Oilers draft defenceman Michael Kesselring 164th overall". Oilersnation.com.
  15. "Awards - USHL Most Goals". eliteprospects.com.
  16. "2017 U.S. Junior Select Team". USAHockey.com.
  17. "21 USHL Players Selected to US World Junior A Challenge Squad". sbncollegehockey.com.
  18. "2018 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com.
  19. "NHL Draft prospects top U.S. World Junior A roster". National Hockey League.
  20. "2017 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com.
  21. "All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com. USHL.
  22. "2018 U.S. Junior Select Team Coaching Staff and Player Roster Unveiled". USAHockey.com.
  23. "USHL All-Rookie Teams Announced". USHL.com. USHL.
  24. "2016 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com.
  25. "2017 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters". USHL.com.
  26. "Rosters Named For 2015 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game". USHL.com.
  27. "2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced". USHL.com.
  28. "40 Players Chosen For USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game". National Hockey League.
  29. "2018 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced". USHL.com.
  30. "All-American Prospects Game All-Time Roster". AllAmericanProspectsGame.com.
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