Kings Select Forbort As 15th Pick In 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Published on June 25, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Kings, the parent club of the Manchester Monarchs, have selected defenseman Derek Forbort in the first round (15th overall) of tonight's NHL Entry Draft, hosted by the Kings, before 11,052 at STAPLES Center. Rounds two through seven will take place at STAPLES Center tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. (EST). The Kings currently hold seven more selections.
The Kings originally held the 19th overall pick, but traded that selection (along with the 59th overall pick) to Florida for the 15th overall selection.
Forbort, 18, played the last two seasons in the U.S. National Development Program and was the highest rated USHL skater (ninth) in the final rankings of NHL Central Scouting.
In 26 games played against USHL competition in 2009-10 he had 14 points (4-10=14), 26 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating. Forbort also competed in the U-18 World Championships in 2010, recording two assists and a plus-nine rating in seven games en route to earning a gold medal. Overall he played 56 games with the U.S. U-18 team, recording 25 points (5-20=25).
The 6-foot-5, 198-pound native of Duluth, Minn. made the jump to the U.S. National Development Program in 2008-09 after completing his senior year at Duluth East High School. In nine games played against USHL competition that season he had six points (1-5=6) and 10 penalty minutes.
Forbort has committed to the University of the North Dakota for this fall.
"Derek is a big defenseman who skates very well and has a well-rounded game," Kings amateur scout Tony Gasparini said from the Kings' draft table at STAPLES Center. "In time, as he matures as a young man physically, he is going to be a player who has the ability to eat up a lot of minutes in every area of the game."
LA Kings Insider Rich Hammond will host a chat on his blog LAKingsinsider.com, covering Day 2 of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. (EST).
NHL Central Scouting's Jack Barzee said, "Derek Forbort has good top-end ability at both ends (of the ice). He's smart and skates so well, he's almost 6-5 and he's got everything there in front of him. It's just a matter of filling out and getting more experience. He's probably a top-two defenseman in the NHL if he reaches his potential."
"I'm pretty relieved and really happy to go to the Kings and it seems like a good fit," said Forbort from STAPLES Center. "It was a really good feeling and I got a little excited when I saw that Los Angeles and Florida made that move because I had a pretty good relationship with one of the [Kings] scouts. It was a great feeling hearing my name.
"I try and model my game after Chris Pronger, who's a good puck-moving defenseman and plays a good defensive game. I know the Kings have two really good young defensemen in [Drew] Doughty and [Jack] Johnson. They have a good young defensive core and hopefully one day I can be a part of that.
Rounds two through seven of the draft are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, at STAPLES Center. The Kings hold seven more selections (one in the second round, two in the third round, one in the fourth round, one in the fifth round, one in the sixth round and one in the seventh round).
NHL Network will broadcast Saturday's live coverage beginning at 1 p.m. (EST).
American Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2010
- Lightning Select Brett Connolly with 6th Overall Pick - Norfolk Admirals
- Kings Select Forbort As 15th Pick In 2010 NHL Entry Draft - Manchester Monarchs
- Blues Select Jaden Schwartz and Vladamir Tarasenko in First Round - Peoria Rivermen
- Coyotes Select Brandon Gormley 13th Overall in 2010 NHL Entry Draft - San Antonio Rampage
- Checkers Unveil Home Opener, Jerseys, Joint Ticket Plans - Charlotte Checkers
- Crunch Announce Six Home Dates for 2010-11 Season - Syracuse Crunch
- Rochester Americans Summer Player Profile: Victor Oreskovich - Rochester Americans
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