Top '07 Forward Gavin Kor Commits to Fargo
May 16, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL) - Fargo Force News Release
The Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League announced today that right handed forward Gavin Kor, who they recently drafted in the league's Phase 1 Future Draft, has committed to play for the Force for the 23-24 season. Kor, who grew up in Rochester, MN and just turned 16 on March 22, has developed his hockey skills at prestigious Shattuck St. Mary's school in Faribault, MN for the past 3 years.
In the 22-23 season, he helped his SSM 15O team to the National Championship game, and despite an early season injury that caused him to miss a couple of months, Kor still racked up 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points in just 37 games.
"We were thrilled when we recently received a call from Gavin and he told us he wanted to continue his development here in Fargo," said Force General Manager, Cary Eades. "He was an extremely sought after player who we have followed very closely in the past couple of years. He has dynamic offensive skills that should translate well to the USHL level."
"Many people in the hockey world thought he'd be going the Major Junior route", continued Eades, but we worked very hard to show him and his family our development plan for him here with the Force. It was key in our recruitment that Gav and his Dad, DJ were able to come up to Fargo and witness a playoff game in person. While on the trip, they were able to witness our fantastic atmosphere we have at Scheels Arena. More importantly they were able to see we have everything in place for a young player to develop - our newly renovated locker room and weight room, daily extra ice availability, etc. They were also able to spend some time with our entire coaching / development staff, which includes Director of Player Development Matt Cullen and Strength Coach Stephanie Oliver. We've had a great deal of success recently with bringing younger players into our organization, and creating an environment for them to grow and succeed, and we expect Gav to follow that blueprint with the Force".
The "younger players" Eades refers to who have prospered in Fargo in recent seasons include:
Mac Swanson, who is finishing off his 1st season with the Force as a 16 year old, and was named to the USHL's All-Rookie 1st team", after totaling 55 points in the regular season for the Anderson Cup Champions.
Cole Knuble, who as a Junior in High School during the 21-22 season, was 2nd on the team in scoring, and this year - his 2nd with the Force led the team in scoring with 66 points and earned 1st team All- USHL first team honors as well as the prestigious Curt Hammer Award..
Tristan Broz, now a member of Denver University, was 3rd on the Force in scoring in the 19-20 season during his Junior year of High School, and like Knuble, led the team in scoring his second season. That led Broz to be taken with a 2nd round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Next Fall, Kor will join another Shattuck product, and fellow member of the 2007 birth year - Masun Fleece - in Fargo. Fleece signed a tender with the Force in April.
The Force currently are in the middle of the Clark Cup Finals, as they play the Phantoms in Youngstown this Friday in game 3 in the best of 5 series puck drop is at 7:05pm ET (6:05pm CT). The Watch Party for Friday night's game is free to the public and will be held at the High Point Bar & Grill in Scheels Arena. The lobby bar & concession stand will be open to purchase food/drinks throughout the evening. Doors open at 5:05pm, join us and help cheer on the Fargo Force!
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United States Hockey League Stories from May 16, 2023
- Top '07 Forward Gavin Kor Commits to Fargo - Fargo Force
- Oliver Named to USHL All-Academic Team - Lincoln Stars
- Fighting Saints Grab Two All-Academic Members - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Erdman's Classroom Endeavors Recognized - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Dubuque's Lucas St. Louis Named 2023 USHL Scholar-Athlete of the Year - USHL
- Knuble Named Recipient of 2023 Curt Hammer Award - Fargo Force
- Fargo's Cole Knuble Named Recipient of 2023 Curt Hammer Award - USHL
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