Force Nab Smirnov in Indiana Ice Dispersal Draft
Published on May 23, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Fargo Force News Release
FARGO, ND - The Fargo Force nabbed forwards Denis Smirnov, Mitch Slattery and Tyler Pham. Friday in the USHL/Indiana Ice dispersal draft. The USHL announced earlier this month that the Indiana Ice would be going dormant for the 2014-15 season in order for the organization to focus on development of a new facility and permanent home for the hockey club in the Indianapolis area. Because of the dormancy, a dispersal draft was held where all remaining USHL clubs, with the exception of Team USA, drafted players from the Ice roster and affiliate list.
With the Force sitting in last place at the end of the 2013-14 regular season, they were given not only the first pick of the USHL draft, but also the first pick in the dispersal draft. With the first pick, the coaching staff nabbed forward Denis Smirnov, a Penn State University commit. Smirnov was signed as a tender by the Indiana Ice in the spring of 2013. He just completed his rookie season in the USHL with the Ice, playing in 47 games scoring 15 goals and adding 26 assists for 41 points. Smirnov, from Moscow, Russia, helped his teammates to capture the Clark Cup Championship on May 20. He had 5 points in 12 games played throughout the post-season. He looks to add a lot of offensive punch to the Force's roster this upcoming season.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Denis to the Fargo Force family," said associate head coach Byron Pool. "Denis is a special player. We expect him to follow in the footsteps of former Force forwards such as Dominic Toninato, Brendan Harms, Alex Iafallo, and Matt Leitner to name a few. He blends a high level of skill with a strong compete level. He is a player that has the ability to make those around him better. Denis instantly makes us a better hockey team. He is a legitimate first line player in the USHL. Fargo Force fans are in for a real treat watching him play night in and night out."
In addition to Smirnov, the Force also drafted forward Mitch Slattery in the second round. Slattery just finished up his senior season at Hill-Murray high school where he posted 46 points in 25 games played with 18 goals and 28 assists. Slattery is committed to St. Cloud State University and is expected to attend try-out camp in June.
With the final pick in the third round of the draft, forward Tyler Pham was selected. Pham has spent the past three years in the USHL with Indiana playing in a total of 168 games with the Ice, posting 58 points with 22 goals and 36 assists. Pham is committed to Army for the Fall of 2014, so the Force will hold his return to league rights.
Fans can get their first look at all draft picks at Scheels Arena during try-outs June 10-15. A full schedule of times for try-outs is posted at fargoforce.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 23, 2014
- Strand to Madison - Sioux City Musketeers
- Lumberjacks Add Trio in Indiana Dispersal Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Storm Take Newell Third Overall in Dispersal - Tri-City Storm
- USHL Completes Dispersal Draft - USHL
- Saints Select Roy Radke & Matt Roy in Dispersal Draft - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Force Nab Smirnov in Indiana Ice Dispersal Draft - Fargo Force
- Capitols Add Hults & Martenet Via Dispersal Draft - Madison Capitols
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