Four Force Receive USHL Team Honors
May 1, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Fargo Force News Release
FARGO, ND - Monday, May 1 the United States Hockey League announced the 2022-23 All-USHL Teams and USHL All-Rookie Teams. The Force are proud to have four players that have earned United States Hockey League team honors, two on the All-USHL First Team, Cole Knuble and Joe Palodichuk, one on the All-USHL Second Team, Matej Marinov and one on the USHL ALL-Rookie First Team, Mac Swanson.
In his second season with the Force Cole Knuble has continued to be a key figure both on and off the ice. During the regular season Knuble lead the Force in scoring with 30 goals and 36 assists for 66 points in just 57 games and a 1.16PPG average. Cole wears the 'A' for the Force and was selected to Captain Team USA at the World Jr. A Championship. There he lead his team in scoring with 2 goals and 6 assists and helped claim the 9th World Junior A Challenge Championship Title in US history. He also earned the honor of Tournament MVP, the first time an American player has earned that honor since 2013. Following his junior hockey career Knuble is committed to play D1 College Hockey at the University of Notre Dame.
"Cole is very deserving of this honor," commented Fargo Force Head Coach, Nick Oliver. "He is an impactful player who makes a difference on both ends of the ice. Cole embodies what our organization is about and has a bright future ahead of him."
Joe Palodichuk is also in his second season with the Force. After earning the Force's "Outstanding Defenseman Award" last season Palodichuk has continued to develop into one of the league's top defensemen. He led all Force D-men in scoring during the regular season with 8 goals and 21 assists in 44 games. Palodichuk represented the Force at the BioSteel All-American Game where he tallied 2 assists and the World Jr. A Championship where he added 2 goals, helping Team USA claim gold. Following his junior hockey career Palodichuk is committed to play D1 College Hockey at the University of Wisconsin.
"Joe is the type of person and player that you love to coach," commented Force Head Coach Nick Oliver. "He competes at a high level and impacts the game in so many ways. Joe makes those around him better and is absolutely deserving of this honor."
Matej Marinov had an outstanding year for the Force, helping backstop the team to 40 wins and the Anderson Cup for the first time in franchise history. Marinov went on a record-breaking streak going 20-0-1-3 not dropping a game in regulation until late March. He lead the league in GAA and SV% for the majority of the season and finished second overall with a 2.36GAA and a .917SV%. Marinov was named USHL Goaltender of the week 4 times this season. Following his Junior Hockey Career Marinov is committed to play D1 College Hockey at Quinnipiac University.
"Matej is a competitor," said Force Head Coach, Nick Oliver. "He comes to the rink everyday ready to work and his drive to compete has been a big part of his success and our team's success this season. We couldn't be happier for Matej."
In his rookie season Swanson has been an instrumental player in the Force offence tallying 12 goals and 43 assists for 55 points in 57 games. Swanson led the Force and all USHL Rookies in assists, he ranks 4th in the league in rookie scoring and is tied for second in scoring for the Force. Swanson represented the Force at the 2022 World Jr. A Challenge where he put up 1 goal and 5 assists in Team USA's gold medal winning run. His high level hockey IQ, work ethic, and elite talent with the puck have all contributed to Swanson earning this honor. Following his Junior Hockey career Swanson is committed to play D1 College Hockey at the University of North Dakota.
"We are very excited for Mac on earning this tremendous honor," said Force Head Coach Nick Oliver. "Mac is a person that shows up every day to get better. He has continued to grow into a valuable player and leader for our team and we couldn't be happier for him."
The Fargo Force are set to take on the Lincoln Stars this week in the Western Conference Championship. The series is a best of 5 with the winner earning their spot in the 2023 Clark Cup Championship.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 4 @ Scheels Arena - 7:05PM
Friday, May 5 @ Scheels Arena - 7:05PM
Sunday, May 7 @ Ice Box - 5:05PM
Monday, May 8 @ Ice Box - 7:05PM (if needed)
Thursday, May 11 @ Scheels Arena - 7:05PM (if needed)
Tickets are available to purchase online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Scheels Arena Box Office!
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United States Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2023
- Black Hawks Hand out 2023 Team Awards - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Whitehead, Buckberger Named USHL Players of the Week - Lincoln Stars
- Owen Michaels Named USHL Forward of the Week - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Michaels, Buckberger and Whitehead Selected for League Honors - USHL
- Muskegon Lumberjacks Add Evan Trupp to Coaching Staff - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Four Force Receive USHL Team Honors - Fargo Force
- Sacha Boisvert Named to USHL All-Rookie Second Team - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Three Stars Named to All-USHL Teams - Lincoln Stars
- Ryan St. Louis and Max Burkholder Named to USHL Second Team - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Palodichuk, Knuble and Marinov Named to All USHL Teams - Fargo Force
- Three Steel Players Named to All-USHL Teams; Two Named to All-Rookie Teams - Chicago Steel
- Pionk, Schifsky Named All-USHL - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Two Fighting Saints Make All USHL Team - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- All-USHL Teams Announced for 2022-23 - USHL
- Conmy Named to Third Team All-USHL - Sioux City Musketeers
- Pair of Musketeer Rookies Collect Awards - Sioux City Musketeers
- Two RoughRiders Named USHL First Team - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Swanson Named to USHL All-Rookie First Team - Fargo Force
- Michael Hrabal Makes All-USHL Rookie First Team - Omaha Lancers
- Connelly Named to USHL All-Rookie Second Team - Tri-City Storm
- USHL All-Rookie Teams Announced for 2022-23 - USHL
- Capitols Announce Andy Brandt as New Head Coach and General Manager - Madison Capitols
- Phantoms Sweep Their Way into Eastern Conference Final with 3-1 Win Over Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms
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