While it isn’t uncommon for two Kings prospects to play each other in junior hockey, it doesn’t happen nearly as often at the NCAA level.
Yet, with the Kings loading up on former college hockey players right now, especially on defense – Matt Greene, Rob Scuderi, Jack Johnson, Peter Harrold, Davis Drewiske, etc. – it could become a little more frequent.
Last night was one such occasion, as two potential future additions to the Kings’ blue line faced off against each other for the first time. Derek Forbort (first round pick 2010) and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux were hosting the St. Cloud State Huskies and Kevin Gravel (fifth round 2010).
UND entered the weekend ranked #7 in the nation, while SCSU has remained unranked this year.
Prior to the game, Gravel told me “I think this weekend is going to be a good weekend for us. We’ve been inconsistent at times this season and there’s no better team to turn the season around than against North Dakota. We’ll be ready to go tonight.”
He was partially right too. SCSU scored first and led the game 1-0 after the first period. In the end, UND won by a final of 3-1 though.
Five other facts:
* Neither prospect was involved n the scoring or took a penalty.
* You can’t miss these two – Forbort is 6’5″ and Gravel is 6’4″.
* Forbort was paired with Andrew MacWilliam (Toronto Maple Leafs). Gravel was paired with Brett Barta (undrafted).
* Two other Kings draft picks also played for SCSU, Nic Dowd (6’1″ center, drafted in the seventh round of 2009) and assistant captain Garrett Rowe (5’9″ forward, drafted in the seventh round of 2008).
* Brett Hextall (Assistant GM Ron Hextall’s son) normally plays for UND. However, he’s out of action for the next couple of weeks. He’s a 5’10” center who was drafted by Phoenix in 2008 (sixth round).
The two teams will meet again today at 5pm PST. You can watch it live on DirecTV, channel 617.
Final NCAA note – when the Kings played the Panthers on Thursday night it was almost like a mini Boston College reunion. Scuderi, Harrold, Marty Reasoner and Scott Clemmensen all played college hockey for the Eagles. And what happened? Harrold went on to score his first goal of the season!
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Interview with Derek Forbort – talks about being drafted by the Kings, coming to camp, etc.
Interview with Kevin Gravel – talking Kings, college hockey, etc.
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About John Hoven
