Forbort leaves Duluth East
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
Forbort leaves Duluth East
Forbort will not be coming back for his senior season. He will be going to Ann Arbor following this year. More in the Duluth News Tribune.
Go Hounds.
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thiscrazygame
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Re: Forbort leaves Duluth East
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/ ... up/Sports/EHSHack wrote:Forbort will not be coming back for his senior season. He will be going to Ann Arbor following this year. More in the Duluth News Tribune.
Wow, too bad the East coach wasn't a little more supportive for Derek's decision.
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southernmnscout
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Re: Forbort leaves Duluth East
Is there a link where we do not have to log in to view it?thiscrazygame wrote:http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/ ... up/Sports/EHSHack wrote:Forbort will not be coming back for his senior season. He will be going to Ann Arbor following this year. More in the Duluth News Tribune.
Wow, too bad the East coach wasn't a little more supportive for Derek's decision.
Derek Forbort said his decision to leave Duluth East and join the U.S. Under-18 National Development hockey team caused several sleepless nights.
“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said. “I had trouble sleeping at night thinking about it.”
Forbort, a 6-foot-5 junior defenseman, told USA Hockey of his decision Friday and informed East coach Mike Randolph on Sunday night. The future University of North Dakota player said he wanted to be better prepared for college.
“The main thing was I wanted to make sure I was ready to play when I went out to North Dakota,” he said. “I felt this was the best way to achieve that.”
Randolph says Forbort would have been equally prepared by playing his senior year at East.
“I don’t think he’s any different than the kids who have stayed in high school and went on to the National Hockey League like [Moorhead’s] Brian Lee, [Warroad’s] T.J. Oshie, [Mountain Iron-Buhl’s] Matt Niskanen — the list is endless,” Randolph said. “I think what pushed him to go was North Dakota. First of all, they need him right away [in the 2010-11 season]. I think North Dakota felt he would be more ready to step on the ice and play for them by going in this direction.
“He didn’t want to struggle his first year coming out of high school.”
Randolph said he doesn’t believe the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based program is a cure-all for the freshman blues. In his opinion, former East player Cade Fairchild, who spent two years in Ann Arbor, struggled in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota.
“I didn’t feel Cade was any better coming out of Ann Arbor for two years than he would have been coming out of Duluth East,” Randolph said.
Mark Abalan, who coached Fairchild and Forbort for two years each in bantams, said Fairchild had a great experience and expects Forbort will, too.
“Representing his country was really important to [Fairchild], and that opportunity was something he took a lot of pride in,” Abalan said. “For Derek, hearing that it was a good experience from a fellow East guy had a small impact on his decision.”
More influential, according to Forbort, are the longer seasons, better competition — the U-18 team plays in the United States Hockey League and against college teams — and state-of-the-art training facilities afforded the U-18 team.
“A lot of people thought playing high school hockey would build my leadership skills and my creativity, but others close to me said I need to get stronger and play better defensive hockey, and that’s what they’ll teach me to do out there,” said Forbort, who scored seven goals and had 21 assists as a junior after turning down an offer to play for USA Hockey’s U-17 team last year.
Randolph believes Forbort should have made the same decision as Max Tardy, who stayed his senior year and excelled as a player and leader.
“He’s going to go out to Ann Arbor and just be another player — a very good player, but just another player,” Randolph said. “If he stayed here, he would have been our captain, our go-to-guy, the guy who everybody is looking to, like Tardy, and lead the way. That would have gone a long way to making him a more well-rounded player.”
Abalan, for one, disagrees.
“I think he needs this step for his own growth,” he said. “He needs to be pushed, that’s the biggest factor for him leaving. He wants to step in as a freshman at North Dakota and play big-time minutes.
“Derek’s a unique player. He has [abilities] that most kids don’t have. He is the prototype NHL player.”
“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said. “I had trouble sleeping at night thinking about it.”
Forbort, a 6-foot-5 junior defenseman, told USA Hockey of his decision Friday and informed East coach Mike Randolph on Sunday night. The future University of North Dakota player said he wanted to be better prepared for college.
“The main thing was I wanted to make sure I was ready to play when I went out to North Dakota,” he said. “I felt this was the best way to achieve that.”
Randolph says Forbort would have been equally prepared by playing his senior year at East.
“I don’t think he’s any different than the kids who have stayed in high school and went on to the National Hockey League like [Moorhead’s] Brian Lee, [Warroad’s] T.J. Oshie, [Mountain Iron-Buhl’s] Matt Niskanen — the list is endless,” Randolph said. “I think what pushed him to go was North Dakota. First of all, they need him right away [in the 2010-11 season]. I think North Dakota felt he would be more ready to step on the ice and play for them by going in this direction.
“He didn’t want to struggle his first year coming out of high school.”
Randolph said he doesn’t believe the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based program is a cure-all for the freshman blues. In his opinion, former East player Cade Fairchild, who spent two years in Ann Arbor, struggled in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota.
“I didn’t feel Cade was any better coming out of Ann Arbor for two years than he would have been coming out of Duluth East,” Randolph said.
Mark Abalan, who coached Fairchild and Forbort for two years each in bantams, said Fairchild had a great experience and expects Forbort will, too.
“Representing his country was really important to [Fairchild], and that opportunity was something he took a lot of pride in,” Abalan said. “For Derek, hearing that it was a good experience from a fellow East guy had a small impact on his decision.”
More influential, according to Forbort, are the longer seasons, better competition — the U-18 team plays in the United States Hockey League and against college teams — and state-of-the-art training facilities afforded the U-18 team.
“A lot of people thought playing high school hockey would build my leadership skills and my creativity, but others close to me said I need to get stronger and play better defensive hockey, and that’s what they’ll teach me to do out there,” said Forbort, who scored seven goals and had 21 assists as a junior after turning down an offer to play for USA Hockey’s U-17 team last year.
Randolph believes Forbort should have made the same decision as Max Tardy, who stayed his senior year and excelled as a player and leader.
“He’s going to go out to Ann Arbor and just be another player — a very good player, but just another player,” Randolph said. “If he stayed here, he would have been our captain, our go-to-guy, the guy who everybody is looking to, like Tardy, and lead the way. That would have gone a long way to making him a more well-rounded player.”
Abalan, for one, disagrees.
“I think he needs this step for his own growth,” he said. “He needs to be pushed, that’s the biggest factor for him leaving. He wants to step in as a freshman at North Dakota and play big-time minutes.
“Derek’s a unique player. He has [abilities] that most kids don’t have. He is the prototype NHL player.”
Last edited by winter15 on Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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nickel slots
- Posts: 348
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Forbort joins development team
Derek Forbort said his decision to leave Duluth East and join the U.S. Under-18 National Development hockey team caused several sleepless nights.
By: Rick Weegman, Duluth News Tribune
RELATED CONTENT
Add a comment (0)
Derek Forbort said his decision to leave Duluth East and join the U.S. Under-18 National Development hockey team caused several sleepless nights.
“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said. “I had trouble sleeping at night thinking about it.”
Forbort, a 6-foot-5 junior defenseman, told USA Hockey of his decision Friday and informed East coach Mike Randolph on Sunday night. The future University of North Dakota player said he wanted to be better prepared for college.
“The main thing was I wanted to make sure I was ready to play when I went out to North Dakota,” he said. “I felt this was the best way to achieve that.”
Randolph says Forbort would have been equally prepared by playing his senior year at East.
“I don’t think he’s any different than the kids who have stayed in high school and went on to the National Hockey League like [Moorhead’s] Brian Lee, [Warroad’s] T.J. Oshie, [Mountain Iron-Buhl’s] Matt Niskanen — the list is endless,” Randolph said. “I think what pushed him to go was North Dakota. First of all, they need him right away [in the 2010-11 season]. I think North Dakota felt he would be more ready to step on the ice and play for them by going in this direction.
“He didn’t want to struggle his first year coming out of high school.”
Randolph said he doesn’t believe the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based program is a cure-all for the freshman blues. In his opinion, former East player Cade Fairchild, who spent two years in Ann Arbor, struggled in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota.
“I didn’t feel Cade was any better coming out of Ann Arbor for two years than he would have been coming out of Duluth East,” Randolph said.
Mark Abalan, who coached Fairchild and Forbort for two years each in bantams, said Fairchild had a great experience and expects Forbort will, too.
“Representing his country was really important to [Fairchild], and that opportunity was something he took a lot of pride in,” Abalan said. “For Derek, hearing that it was a good experience from a fellow East guy had a small impact on his decision.”
More influential, according to Forbort, are the longer seasons, better competition — the U-18 team plays in the United States Hockey League and against college teams — and state-of-the-art training facilities afforded the U-18 team.
“A lot of people thought playing high school hockey would build my leadership skills and my creativity, but others close to me said I need to get stronger and play better defensive hockey, and that’s what they’ll teach me to do out there,” said Forbort, who scored seven goals and had 21 assists as a junior after turning down an offer to play for USA Hockey’s U-17 team last year.
Randolph believes Forbort should have made the same decision as Max Tardy, who stayed his senior year and excelled as a player and leader.
“He’s going to go out to Ann Arbor and just be another player — a very good player, but just another player,” Randolph said. “If he stayed here, he would have been our captain, our go-to-guy, the guy who everybody is looking to, like Tardy, and lead the way. That would have gone a long way to making him a more well-rounded player.”
Abalan, for one, disagrees.
“I think he needs this step for his own growth,” he said. “He needs to be pushed, that’s the biggest factor for him leaving. He wants to step in as a freshman at North Dakota and play big-time minutes.
“Derek’s a unique player. He has [abilities] that most kids don’t have. He is the prototype NHL player.”
Derek Forbort said his decision to leave Duluth East and join the U.S. Under-18 National Development hockey team caused several sleepless nights.
By: Rick Weegman, Duluth News Tribune
RELATED CONTENT
Add a comment (0)
Derek Forbort said his decision to leave Duluth East and join the U.S. Under-18 National Development hockey team caused several sleepless nights.
“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said. “I had trouble sleeping at night thinking about it.”
Forbort, a 6-foot-5 junior defenseman, told USA Hockey of his decision Friday and informed East coach Mike Randolph on Sunday night. The future University of North Dakota player said he wanted to be better prepared for college.
“The main thing was I wanted to make sure I was ready to play when I went out to North Dakota,” he said. “I felt this was the best way to achieve that.”
Randolph says Forbort would have been equally prepared by playing his senior year at East.
“I don’t think he’s any different than the kids who have stayed in high school and went on to the National Hockey League like [Moorhead’s] Brian Lee, [Warroad’s] T.J. Oshie, [Mountain Iron-Buhl’s] Matt Niskanen — the list is endless,” Randolph said. “I think what pushed him to go was North Dakota. First of all, they need him right away [in the 2010-11 season]. I think North Dakota felt he would be more ready to step on the ice and play for them by going in this direction.
“He didn’t want to struggle his first year coming out of high school.”
Randolph said he doesn’t believe the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based program is a cure-all for the freshman blues. In his opinion, former East player Cade Fairchild, who spent two years in Ann Arbor, struggled in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota.
“I didn’t feel Cade was any better coming out of Ann Arbor for two years than he would have been coming out of Duluth East,” Randolph said.
Mark Abalan, who coached Fairchild and Forbort for two years each in bantams, said Fairchild had a great experience and expects Forbort will, too.
“Representing his country was really important to [Fairchild], and that opportunity was something he took a lot of pride in,” Abalan said. “For Derek, hearing that it was a good experience from a fellow East guy had a small impact on his decision.”
More influential, according to Forbort, are the longer seasons, better competition — the U-18 team plays in the United States Hockey League and against college teams — and state-of-the-art training facilities afforded the U-18 team.
“A lot of people thought playing high school hockey would build my leadership skills and my creativity, but others close to me said I need to get stronger and play better defensive hockey, and that’s what they’ll teach me to do out there,” said Forbort, who scored seven goals and had 21 assists as a junior after turning down an offer to play for USA Hockey’s U-17 team last year.
Randolph believes Forbort should have made the same decision as Max Tardy, who stayed his senior year and excelled as a player and leader.
“He’s going to go out to Ann Arbor and just be another player — a very good player, but just another player,” Randolph said. “If he stayed here, he would have been our captain, our go-to-guy, the guy who everybody is looking to, like Tardy, and lead the way. That would have gone a long way to making him a more well-rounded player.”
Abalan, for one, disagrees.
“I think he needs this step for his own growth,” he said. “He needs to be pushed, that’s the biggest factor for him leaving. He wants to step in as a freshman at North Dakota and play big-time minutes.
“Derek’s a unique player. He has [abilities] that most kids don’t have. He is the prototype NHL player.”
Don't sweat the small stuff.
It's all small stuff.
It's all small stuff.
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northwoods oldtimer
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East
Of course Mike Randolph will take that stance he as built a great winning tradition at East. You cannot expect him not to be teed off as he is a very competitive guy. BIG loss for the Hounds. Just gives Andy Welinski and Nate Repensky a whole lot more ice time. Randolph is spot on with regards to his comments on US Development and Cade Fairchild and he has that right to comment having coached. Forbort to Fairchild comparison is a bit apples to oranges however so time will tell if it pays dividends at UND or not. One thing is for certain UND will develop Forbort into a nice NHL prospect.
Another example of the inroads USA Hockey is making into the great tradition that is Minnesota High School Hockey. I think it is too bad. Without commenting on what is the right decision for this player it sure would be nice if USA Hockey would let these guys play high school hockey. I think USA Hockey and the districts our kids play in are extremely hypocritical when they claim to "support" community hockey. "Two faced" or "two mouthed" they are.
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Gopher Blog
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The NTDP has been getting turned down more than they ever have by MN kids in the last few years. If anything, the "inroads" has shrunk.anidesx wrote:Another example of the inroads USA Hockey is making into the great tradition that is Minnesota High School Hockey.
I doubt Fairchild and Co. would see it the same way as Randolph in terms of his development with the NTDP vs. Duluth East.
I would dispute the comments in the article about getting stronger as being a legit reason to go. If you put the hard work in, you can develop that aspect of your ability whether you play HS hockey or with the NTDP. Of course, there is no doubt that a player wil face superior competition during the season with the NTDP than they would in HS hockey.
I don't really care what a kid decides to do since the best judge of it is the kid and his parents. They know better than anybody else whether a kid has the maturity level, etc. to go off to juniors. It does get a little old when we see people take the approach that there is only one "right" way to do it.
PuckTime Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:
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The coach seems like he's probably worried about his team rather than totally considering what's best for Derek.
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I agree with Pucktime and find it very disappointing that so many HS coaches who claim to be in it for the best interest of the kids, usually have their own best interest at heart and the winning record for their HS. I'm sure he's a competitive guy and that losing Derek will be a big loss for his team but Forbort's reasoning sounds like he gave it a ton of thought and consideration and I find it hard to argue that the US Development Program will not better prepare him for ND than East can. Not only will the strength training be better, so will the coaching and the competition. How can that not prepare him better?
I'm with Gopher Blog (except that I do think that getting stronger is a legit. reason to go and can be much better, cheaper and easily achieved in Ann Arbor) - there is no one right path for every player and these are not easy decisions for kids to leave home, leave their teams and their friends. Staying in MN and playing HS hockey is not the only answer and having a few kids leave every year and take advantage of the amazing opportunities USA Hockey can offer, is not going to destroy MN HS hockey as we know and love it. It will just provide more kids with better opportunities, both the ones that get to move up to Varsity when the player leaves, as well as the player heading to MI or Juniors. All players should be supported in their decisions - whatever they are - because they are difficult choices and ultimately they will be the ones that either benefit or not from them.
Too many HS coaches get vindictive and say unsupportive things when players choose a different path. If they were more honest and seriously asked themselves what they would do if they were 16 or 17 (or their son was) and given the kind of opportunity Derek was, would they really be so positive they would turn it down so easily?
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The coach seems like he's probably worried about his team rather than totally considering what's best for Derek.
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I agree with Pucktime and find it very disappointing that so many HS coaches who claim to be in it for the best interest of the kids, usually have their own best interest at heart and the winning record for their HS. I'm sure he's a competitive guy and that losing Derek will be a big loss for his team but Forbort's reasoning sounds like he gave it a ton of thought and consideration and I find it hard to argue that the US Development Program will not better prepare him for ND than East can. Not only will the strength training be better, so will the coaching and the competition. How can that not prepare him better?
I'm with Gopher Blog (except that I do think that getting stronger is a legit. reason to go and can be much better, cheaper and easily achieved in Ann Arbor) - there is no one right path for every player and these are not easy decisions for kids to leave home, leave their teams and their friends. Staying in MN and playing HS hockey is not the only answer and having a few kids leave every year and take advantage of the amazing opportunities USA Hockey can offer, is not going to destroy MN HS hockey as we know and love it. It will just provide more kids with better opportunities, both the ones that get to move up to Varsity when the player leaves, as well as the player heading to MI or Juniors. All players should be supported in their decisions - whatever they are - because they are difficult choices and ultimately they will be the ones that either benefit or not from them.
Too many HS coaches get vindictive and say unsupportive things when players choose a different path. If they were more honest and seriously asked themselves what they would do if they were 16 or 17 (or their son was) and given the kind of opportunity Derek was, would they really be so positive they would turn it down so easily?
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justwatchin
- Posts: 18
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forbert
CONGRATULATIONS TO DEREK and BEST WISHES! Making these decisions is very stressful, and not taken lightly by a player OR parent. Your an awsome player Derek and fun to watch! We look forward to following your career.
Good luck!
Your future is bright with this decision, Derek. Look forward, not back - the best part of your life is right in front of you. Family and real friends will stay by you forever - everything else is secondary in nature. Follow your dream - aim high with your goals. No more baggage for you!
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JohnnyBuck
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Was it any suprise that Forbort decided to go to Ann Arbour. Good for him! He not only has a chance to play Division one hockey as a true freshman but has a legitimate shot for the pros. For Mike Randolph to even hint that it was a bad decesion to me is just sour grapes. Everyone knows Mike Randolph is out for himself. If he was about the kids why did he bench his senior goalie (who had played every game but one) in the consolation game of the state tournament? Why did Mike Randolph go on and on and on last year at the hockey banquet about another player who opted to leave for juniors? Why did he whine the year before that when his star recruit from Hayward left a year early for juniors? come on Mike! It is not about the kids, it is about your ego! Why not congratulate the kids and wish him luck? Anyone who knows Derek Forbort or his family knows they are pure class! Good for them!
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karl(east)
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I have many thoughts on this, a few of which I will now share.
1. First off, I am not surprised.
2. Forbort is a very talented player; probably the player with the highest ceiling to go through East in the past 5 years. He does clearly have some things to work on before the next level, though.
3. Forbort's role on the East team was rather odd by the end of the year.
4. Just because Mike Randolph says he thinks staying at East would be a better option for Forbort does not mean he is being unsupportive. It is very likely that Randolph, who can be brutally honest at times, is utterly convinced of this.
a) Time might tell whether he is right or not. Or we may never know.
b) There are some things that probably should not be said to the media, though.
5. No matter what, good luck to Derek at NTDP; I hope you make all us East fans proud.
6. For East, this is an opportunity to bring along the next generation of East defensemen. If they go about it the right way, plenty of good can come out of this.
1. First off, I am not surprised.
2. Forbort is a very talented player; probably the player with the highest ceiling to go through East in the past 5 years. He does clearly have some things to work on before the next level, though.
3. Forbort's role on the East team was rather odd by the end of the year.
4. Just because Mike Randolph says he thinks staying at East would be a better option for Forbort does not mean he is being unsupportive. It is very likely that Randolph, who can be brutally honest at times, is utterly convinced of this.
a) Time might tell whether he is right or not. Or we may never know.
b) There are some things that probably should not be said to the media, though.
5. No matter what, good luck to Derek at NTDP; I hope you make all us East fans proud.
6. For East, this is an opportunity to bring along the next generation of East defensemen. If they go about it the right way, plenty of good can come out of this.
Last edited by karl(east) on Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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youngblood08
- Posts: 1007
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Why does Randolph have to be supportive? I one way or another this kid and others are saying his coaching isn't good enough for Derek or North Dakota. I give Randolph credit for telling it like it is, and yes he can be pissed off his job relies on winning and when you lose your best player that is effected.
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Goldy Gopher
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Did you see him play against CDH?JohnnyBuck wrote:Was it any suprise that Forbort decided to go to Ann Arbour. Good for him! He not only has a chance to play Division one hockey as a true freshman but has a legitimate shot for the pros. For Mike Randolph to even hint that it was a bad decesion to me is just sour grapes. Everyone knows Mike Randolph is out for himself. If he was about the kids why did he bench his senior goalie (who had played every game but one) in the consolation game of the state tournament? Why did Mike Randolph go on and on and on last year at the hockey banquet about another player who opted to leave for juniors? Why did he whine the year before that when his star recruit from Hayward left a year early for juniors? come on Mike! It is not about the kids, it is about your ego! Why not congratulate the kids and wish him luck? Anyone who knows Derek Forbort or his family knows they are pure class! Good for them!
From what little I know about Randolph I would say that performance probably sent him over the deep end and was enough to give Jo Jo the nod.
The U invented swagger.
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justwatchin
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Forbert
I thought this was a "Good Luck" Forbet forum...not a pitty party for Randolf! Youngblood...NO ONE said Randolf was not a good coach.
Hey, I have NO TIES to Duluth East first off...my son played elsewhere...BUT...he thinks the world of Derek as a person and athlete after getting to know him this past year, and had some fun on the ice.
I'm sorry...no one has a thing to "bitch about". It's not about RANDOLF...IT IS NOT ABOUT DULUTH EAST, OR WHAT U , I or ANYONE THINKS! It 's about WHAT IS GOOD for Derek! And what he and his parents felt was the best for him.
Enuff said...move on!
Derek...as my son would say...give me a Bbbbbb at face off!
Hey, I have NO TIES to Duluth East first off...my son played elsewhere...BUT...he thinks the world of Derek as a person and athlete after getting to know him this past year, and had some fun on the ice.
I'm sorry...no one has a thing to "bitch about". It's not about RANDOLF...IT IS NOT ABOUT DULUTH EAST, OR WHAT U , I or ANYONE THINKS! It 's about WHAT IS GOOD for Derek! And what he and his parents felt was the best for him.
Enuff said...move on!
Derek...as my son would say...give me a Bbbbbb at face off!
I have no problem with Randolph not being supportive of the decision for the exact reasons listed above, but there is no reason to make comments like that in the media. If he believes it was a bad decision, go ahead and tell Derek but don't go to the papers with it. He's 17 years old and he's got enough on his plate already without having to deal with everyone asking him about his coach's comments in the newspaper.youngblood08 wrote:Why does Randolph have to be supportive? I one way or another this kid and others are saying his coaching isn't good enough for Derek or North Dakota. I give Randolph credit for telling it like it is, and yes he can be pissed off his job relies on winning and when you lose your best player that is effected.
Everyone hates private schools (and Edina)!!
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youngblood08
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Re: Forbert
justwatchin wrote:I thought this was a "Good Luck" Forbet forum...not a pitty party for Randolf! Youngblood...NO ONE said Randolf was not a good coach.
Hey, I have NO TIES to Duluth East first off...my son played elsewhere...BUT...he thinks the world of Derek as a person and athlete after getting to know him this past year, and had some fun on the ice.
I'm sorry...no one has a thing to "bitch about". It's not about RANDOLF...IT IS NOT ABOUT DULUTH EAST, OR WHAT U , I or ANYONE THINKS! It 's about WHAT IS GOOD for Derek! And what he and his parents felt was the best for him.
Enuff said...move on!
Derek...as my son would say...give me a Bbbbbb at face off!
Never said feel sorry for Randolph, never stated it was a bad move for Forbort. Just don't see why Randolph is taking flak for speaking his mind?
The TOPIC of the post reads "Forbort leaves Duluth East" so I guees that leaves an opening for what ever you want to say about it.
Good Luck, considering it takes the boys a year to acclimate to the program and leaving home I guess we wait and see if it was the right move.
Randolph is right! Too bad the Forbert kid made this decision. He will always remember playing in the State Tournament, but years down the road, he will not remember his days in the elegent confines of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I've been against this program since it's inception, and again they steal away another kids high school years. Great point about Fairchild, just now starting to develope.
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thiscrazygame
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- Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:54 pm
Good luck Derek. I am sure you won't have any memories of playing in Europe or around the world!!!! The state tournament will always be a great memory but, there is room for more than one memory in your hockey career!!!!dakota12 wrote:Randolph is right! Too bad the Forbert kid made this decision. He will always remember playing in the State Tournament, but years down the road, he will not remember his days in the elegent confines of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I've been against this program since it's inception, and again they steal away another kids high school years. Great point about Fairchild, just now starting to develope.
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ACTUALFORMERPLAYER
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- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:54 pm
I don't believe North Dakota had anything to do with this. He is projected to come in in 2011.They have Joe Gleason, D and Andrew MacWilliam, D slated to come in 2009 and Nick Mattson in 2010. I would not expect any of the current freshmen or sophomores defensemen to leave early. 2011 looks like a better fit.Randolph said. “I think what pushed him to go was North Dakota. First of all, they need him right away [in the 2010-11 season]. I think North Dakota felt he would be more ready to step on the ice and play for them by going in this direction.
ACTUALFORMERPLAYER wrote:I don't believe North Dakota had anything to do with this. He is projected to come in in 2011.They have Joe Gleason, D and Andrew MacWilliam, D slated to come in 2009 and Nick Mattson in 2010. I would not expect any of the current freshmen or sophomores defensemen to leave early. 2011 looks like a better fit.Randolph said. “I think what pushed him to go was North Dakota. First of all, they need him right away [in the 2010-11 season]. I think North Dakota felt he would be more ready to step on the ice and play for them by going in this direction.
I would think the Forbert's would consult coach Hakstol and or coach Eades before making a huge decision like that. Keep in mind, Coach Eades has been involved with the USA Hockey.