The Fargo Force has picked up the rights to three of last season's top North Dakota high school hockey players.
The Force selected Grafton-Park River junior forward Chad Demers, and Grand Forks Red River teammates Jarret Galbreath and Nick Schaefer in Wednesday's United States Hockey League entry draft.
"Certainly, the highlights have to be drafting Chad Demers, Jarret Galbreath and Nick Schaefer," Force coach and general manager Dean Blais said. "We were lucky enough to get three North Dakota kids. We're happy."
Demers, who finished third in the state in scoring with 34 goals and 23 assists, could miss all or part of his senior season with the defending state champion Spoilers if he makes Fargo's final roster.
Spoilers coach Jay Haugland said Wednesday that Demers has not yet decided what he will do next season. Haugland said he will talk with Demers today.
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"He's definitely a great hockey player," Haugland said. "Whatever he chooses, I will support him."
Schaefer finished with 34 goals and 39 assists last season. Galbreath had five goals and 32 assists as a defenseman.
Both will graduate from Red River later this month.
"It's good to get the local kids," said Blais, the former coach at the University of North Dakota. "That was our philosophy when we were at UND, too. If there are good North Dakota kids, we want to get them."
Fargo focused on adding speed to its front line Wednesday, selecting 10 forwards and three defensemen.
Among the group is 15-year-old phenomenon Shane McColgan of Los Angeles.
McColgan recently was selected by Kelowna in the first round of the Western Hockey League draft. However, McColgan would forfeit his college eligibility if he plays a game in the Canadian major junior league.
The Force selected 16-year-old standout forward Colton St. Clair in the 13th round. St. Clair has already verbally committed to Colorado College.
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Other draft picks with NCAA Division I college commitments are Corey Leivermann (Minnesota State-Mankato), Cole Gunner (Minnesota State-Mankato), and Johnnie Searfoss (Maine).
The Force will hold a pair of preseason camps before cutting the roster to 23. The first camp is scheduled for June 5-8 in Prior Lake, Minn. The second will be Aug. 22-26 in Fargo.
"Colleges are really good at indentifying talent," Blais said. "They have the ability and resources to watch these kids from the time they are 15 or 16. You know you are getting a player who has been dedicated and who has excelled at a young age."
Fargo Force draft
Rd Player Pos. Prev. team
4 Gavin Hartzog F Marquette University H.S.
5 Johnnie Searfoss F Texas Tornado (NAHL)
6 Chad Demers F Grafton-Park River H.S.
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7 Chase Grant F Dallas Stars AAA
8 Cory Leivermann F Mankato West H.S.
9 Tom McCarty D Benilde-St. Margaret's
12 Shane McColgan F L.A. Kings U-18
13 Colton St. Claire F P.F. Chang's
14 Eamonn McDermott D Cleveland Barons
15 Nick Schaefer F G.F. Red River H.S.
16 Cole Gunner F Richfield High School
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17 Jarret Galbreath D G.F. Red River H.S.
18 Cory Thorson F Armstrong High School
Note: Fargo forfeited its first three picks after 11 players from the defunct Ohio Junior Blue Jackets were transferred to its roster.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562.
Hotzler's small college blog can be found at www.areavoices.com
