Two UND Defenseman make HF top 10

Two of UND's defenseman are in Hockey's Futures Top 10 NCAA defensemen. Dillon Simpson made other notables.

4. Derek Forbort, Sophomore, University of North Dakota
NHL Rights: Los Angeles Kings
Drafted: 1st Round, 15th overall, 2010After a successful freshman campaign, Forbort returned to North Dakota this season stronger and better. He has played in 21 games to date, posting five points (one goal, four assists). In the season-opening Icebreaker Tournament championship game versus Boston College on October 8th, Forbort posted his first (and thus far only) collegiate goal. Forbort suffered a lower body injury in the recent World Junior Championship and returned to the lineup on February 10th versus Minnesota-Duluth.

Forbort added roughly ten pounds to his enormous 6'5 frame over the summer. And that has really enhanced his skating. There is more power in his strides without taking anything away from his excellent mobility.

While Forbort is known for his offensive abilities, it's the progress that he has made on the defensive side this season that is noteworthy. His positional and one-on-one play has vastly improved from last season, and he has also added a bit of grit to his game as well. Forbort isn't likely to develop into an overly physical player, but the grit he has begun to show will simply add to his overall skill set. The one area where Forbort will need to continue to improve however is his gap control.

With Forbort's development coming along nicely at North Dakota, it'll only be a matter of time before the Los Angeles Kings will move to sign the Duluth, MN native. It remains to be seen if Forbort will return for his junior season in the fall.


10b. Ben Blood, Senior, University of North Dakota
NHL Rights: Ottawa Senators
Drafted: 4th Round, 120th overall, 2007
Blood is having the best year of his collegiate career right now, but a recent incident versus the University of Minnesota on January 14th has somewhat tainted that. The result was Blood being stripped of his assistant captaincy (He did issue an apology for his actions). Nevertheless, Blood is a player with excellent potential for success at the pro level.

The Plymouth, MN native has played in all 29 games thus far, posting 14 points (two goals, 12 assists). His 14 points tie a career-best, which was set in his sophomore year two seasons ago. Despite the Minnesota incident, Blood has been a strong leader on North Dakota's predominantly young blue line this season.

One area that has developed quite nicely during Blood's collegiate career is his offensive side. He has shown to be an adept puck-handler that can help run the power play as well as set up and finish plays. While it is unlikely that he'll post big numbers at the next level, Blood has the ability to be a solid offensive contributor from the blue line.

Blood was offered a contract by Ottawa at the end of last season, but opted to return to North Dakota to finish out his collegiate career. Barring anything unexpected, the Senators will likely offer him another contract at the end of the season.