Fargo, ND – The Fargo Force selected 7 players in today's 2023 United States Hockey League Phase I Draft. The Phase I Draft is solely for players born in 2007.
The Force had no first round selection, as they tendered forward Masun Fleece from Shattuck St. Mary's on April 7. Fleece played up an age group as a 15 year old on the 16U team. Despite his age, Fleece finished 5th on his team in points tallying 68 points (29 goals, 39 assists) in 53 games played. For the full release on Masun Fleece, click HERE.
Fargo started their picks in the 2nd round at 30th overall and the Force selected Malachi McKinnon. The left shot forward is a native of Falcon Heights, MN, and clocks in at 5'9" and 150 lbs. He was a teammate of Thomas Zocco, as both forwards helped the Gulls win the 16U National Championship held in San Jose in April.
The Force had two fifth round picks. At 67th overall, Graham Jones joined Fargo. Jones is a Winnipeg native who is 5'8" and 134 lbs. The left shot center helped Shattuck St. Mary's 15U team to the National Championship game this season collecting 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) in 54 games played.
Eight picks later at 75th overall, the Force chose Mason West from Edina High School in Minnesota. He was a rare freshman top nine forward playing for Edina, who advanced all the way to the MN Class AA Championship game. West is 6'4" and 181 lbs and is a right-handed forward.
The Force brought more skill to their lineup in the sixth round, 90th overall with right shot forward Parker Deschene. The Ostego, Minnesota native is 5'8" and 154 lbs and played this season with Rogers High School in Minnesota. At a sophomore at Rogers HS (MN), Deschene racked up 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 28 games played.
Lewis Majkozak was picked by Fargo in Round 7,105th overall from New Hope, Minnesota. Majkozak is a left shot forward who is 5'8" and 155 lbs. He totaled 18 points, (5 goals, 13 assists) in 20 games played with Armstrong/Cooper High School in Minnesota.
Another forward from Shattuck St. Mary's, Gavin Kor was chosen by the Force in Round 8 (120th overall). Hailing from Rochester, Minnesota, he earned 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 37 games played this season. A dynamic young player, Kor is 5'6" and 150 lbs.
Fargo brought in Wyatt Sypniewski in Round 9 (135th overall) from Chicago Fury 15U team. A big kid at 6'0' and 181 lbs, with great skating speed, Wyatt plays a power forward game.
To finish Phase I, Fargo traded for a 10th round pick late in the draft. The Force used it to bring in Jake Faith, a right handed defenseman from Minnesota. Faith has used his 6'3" 215 lbs frame to score 20 points (4 goals,16 assists) in 19 games played for Blue Army 15U in the Fall season. He then joined St. Thomas Academy for the MN High School season.
The 2023 United States Hockey League Phase II Draft takes place tomorrow, April 3 at 11:00 AM CST. That draft is for 2003-2007 birthdates.
