Force Acquire 2 Players from Youngstown at 1st USHL Trade Deadline
Published on February 7, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Fargo Force News Release
FARGO, ND - The Fargo Force, who currently sit in 1st place overall in the USHL standings with a 33-5-2 record, have bolstered their line-up for the stretch run by acquiring two players from the Youngstown Phantoms. Heading West will be forward Brandon Svoboda and defenseman Finn McLaughlin.
Svoboda, a 2005 born 6'3", 208 lb. right shot forward is in his 2nd year in the USHL. He was a part of the Phantoms Clark Cup Championship team last season where he scored 16 goals and 10 assists in 59 games. Svoboda was then selected in the 3rd round - 77th overall - by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 NHL Draft. During this season, he represented the USHL on Team USA in the World Junior Challenge tournament, where he was a teammate of Force players Zam Plante, Mac Swanson and Hampton Slukynsky. Svoboda, who hails from Level Green, PA, played his youth hockey in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program and is committed to attend Boston University.
McLaughlin, a 6'1", 186 lb. left shot defenseman is in his 1st season in the USHL. Last year, he played for his hometown Canmore Eagles in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, where he was the team's 2nd leading scoring defenseman as a 16 yr. old with 21 points in 39 games. The Phantoms 2nd round pick (24th overall) in the 2022 USHL Phase 1 "Futures draft", represented the United States in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer, where his team won the Bronze Medal. McLaughlin is in the 2006 birth class and is committed to attend Denver University at the conclusion of his junior career.
"We are thrilled to add two quality players to our team", said Force general Manager, Cary Eades. "Svoboda is a big body center or right winger that plays a complete 200 foot game. He has great net front presence and good hockey sense. We feel Brandon will be a great addition to our forward group, as he is a player we have watched very closely in the past 3 plus seasons. He was part of a championship team last year and hopefully that experience will rub off on our group come playoff time".
On McLaughlin, Eades commented "Finn's skill and talent will add to the depth on our D-corp. His skating and puck handling abilities should allow him to fit in very well with Coach Skinner's style of play that requires the defenseman to get up ice and be involved in the offense. Although only 17, he already has a year and a half of junior experience, and not only adds to this year's Force, but he is expected to be back next season as well."
The deal involves 2024 and 2025 draft picks heading to Youngstown, as well as future considerations going both ways. The "future considerations" portion of the trade will be announced on USHL draft day on May 7, 2024.
"We had to give up some of our future to acquire these 2 players" said Eades. "However, we feel adding them gives us a better chance of staying on top of the regular season standings, and more importantly, what will hopefully be a long Clark Cup play-off run into April and May".
The USHL's 1st trade deadline was yesterday February 6. Players could be acquired or traded to teams from leagues outside of the USHL. The 2nd and final trade deadline is Feb. 26. In that deadline, only players within the USHL can be traded. "I've always felt it was more advantageous to add players at the 1st USHL trade deadline", commented Eades. "That way they have more time to learn team systems, fit into forward lines or D pairings and assimilate themselves into the locker room come playoff time."
It's uncertain that Svoboda and McLaughlin will make it to Fargo in time be in the Force line-up when they play host to Sioux Falls on Friday Feb. 9 for Sanford Children's Night. The Force's 7th Annual Sanford Children's Night will feature special jerseys designed by Sanford Children's Miracle Network Champion, Charleigh, a foam puck giveaway, in game graphics designed by Sanford Children's patients and more! Visit ticketmaster.com or visit the Scheels Arena Box Office to buy your tickets now.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2024
- Bucs Affiliate Jastrzebski Commits to Augustana - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Des Moines Acquires Zugec in Trade - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Wiener Dog Night Hits the Ice at the PREMIER Center - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Lancers Acquire Draft Picks for Justin Stupka - Omaha Lancers
- Steel Host Women in Sports Night Friday - Chicago Steel
- Des Moines Barkaneers Return - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Force Acquire 2 Players from Youngstown at 1st USHL Trade Deadline - Fargo Force
- Musketeers Make Trade with Lancers for Stupka - Sioux City Musketeers
- Former USHL Players Gain McAA Weekly Awards - USHL
- Capitols Trade Murray to NAHL's Minnesota Wilderness - Madison Capitols
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
