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On the fourth and final day of Fargo Force camp, there were 57 players still in contention for a 2009-2010 roster spot. A total of 19 players were able to sit out the first exhibition as they had performed well enough to automatically make the second and final game.
In game one, two teams squared off with the top eight forwards and four defensemen earning the right to stay and skate in the second game. Unfortunately, a semi-long list of players was sent home after the first session. The following players did not advance to the final exhibition:
Defensemen Alexander Safonenkov, Cole Bjugson, Tony German, Dalton Spicer, Mike Bond, Brandon Tendeland, Keaton Thompson, and Garrett Schmitz were sent home. As were forwards Adam Wiertzema, Nick Turbitt, Jason McAloon, Cody Bisbing, Drew Best, Tyler Heinon, Daniel Roberts, Pijus Rulevicious, Derek Sutliffe, Dusty Munyer, Jordan Aamot, Dan McNamara, Luke Johnson, Ryan Callahan, Erik Cooper, and Garrett Brossart.
The four defensemen that impressed enough to advance to the final stage were Austin Rudnick, Paul LaDue, Wayland Williams, and Justin Wade. The eight forwards that moved on were Gage Torrel, Austin Farley, Riley Simpson, Chase Souto, Ben Johnson, AJ Jarosz, Corbin McGuire, and Tanner Lane. Goalies Ryan Massa and Seth Lange also advanced to the final game.
That crew that advanced joined defensemen Dan Weissenhofer, Brian Cooper, Troy Hesketh, Willie Corrin, Garrett Haar, and Brandon Carlson. The forwards who were waiting to play in game two were Jimmy Murray, Tyler Maugeri, Joe Rehkamp, Jimmy Mullins, Nick Oliver, Nate Arentz, Tanner Kero, Chad Demers, Garrett Allen, Colten St. Clair, Colton Hargrove, and Jakob Batcha. Goaltender Zane Gothberg also only played in the second game.
That leaves Head Coach Steve Johnson and his staff a list of 10 defensemen, 20 forwards, and three goaltenders to choose from. The roster will eventually need to be cut to 23 players before the season starts. A preliminary roster is expected to be released sometime early next week.
Interesting notes:
- The group of 33 remaining consists of just eight returning players. They are Brian Cooper, Brandon Carlson, Joe Rehkamp, Nick Oliver, Chad Demers, Garrett Allen, Colten St. Clair, and Ryan Massa.
- There are two players that played in the NAHL last year, Dan Weissenhofer and Tanner Kero. Weissenhofer has also spent time in the USHL with Lincoln.
- Four of the 33 players were chosen by the Force in the 2010 Futures Draft; Justin Wade, Wayland Williams, Nate Arentz, and Gage Torrel.
- Three of the five picks the Force had in the 2009 Futures Draft are still here; Brian Cooper, AJ Jarosz and Corbin McGuire.
- 11 players that were selected by Fargo in the 2010 Entry Draft still remain; Tanner Kero, Jimmy Murray, Austin Farley, Tyler Maugeri, Tanner Lane, Jakob Batcha, Chase Souto, Dan Weissenhofer, Austin Rudnick, Riley Simpson, and Chad Demers.
- Four picks from the 2009 Entry Draft are looking to join the team. Zane Gothberg (1st round), Willie Corrin (17th round), and Garrett Haar (18th round).
- Seth Lange has the inside track to be the Force third goalie, if one is taken.
Comments
After visiting with some of the parents at the camp, it seems that Fargo picked up Hargrove from Indiana in a trade.
You are actually correct. He is a nice player. Certainly a positive addition to the Fargo franchise.
Tim: Did Steven Beyers participate in Fargo's tryout camp? I haven't seen his name anywhere.
wicked slappaahs: Interestingly, he was one of two 2010 Entry Draft picks that did not attend camp. Dajon Mingo was the other. It appears Mingo will stay in the NAHL this season. Not sure what the reason may have been that Beyers did not attend.
That is odd. Thanks for the info Tim...
Sutliffe not making the final game is a crock. Honest crock. Kid was stickhandling circles around everyone and coasting through the zone untouched. A bit of a hot dog, but was oozing of talent. I mean, yea, the kid might have a bit of an arrogant personality(on the ice) but you can't deny those skills.
Wayland Williams making the cut is a shocker. Kid wasn't impressive at all. Played soft as Puffs Plus(w/aloe), was a turnover machine and just didn't bring it.
I guess Steve didnt make entirely awful choices however with Wade, Murry, Mullins and the Tanners all making it through. Knowing this, they will probably be cut before the pre-season even starts as we don't want fast, skill players here in Fargo. A Steve Johnson team is full of Big, SLOW(was I the only one watching the Green Bay Series?), Clumsy turnover machines and these guys don't fit that mold. If Steve does get a good scout's eye and changes his philosophy, this season could be good if the names I mentioned make it thro
Sutliffe not making the final game was a shocker to me. The kid had a great tryout. It will be very interesting who the final 23 are.
How did Paul Ladue make the final 10 for Defenseman, are they hurting that bad? Although he is related to the coach!
It sounds like Nick Romanick plans on being back. He missed camp due to injury. It also sounds like Oleg Yevenko will be back. He missed camp due to travel costs from Belarus. So, in theory, he may have only made the final 12 defense.
This past weekend Seth Lang went to the NAHL camp in Bismarck and the coach told him he was the third goalie, seems kind of odd and doesn't add up after finishing third in the Force camp. Reports from numerous sources out of Bismarck is the camp that took place last weekend was chaotic and lacked focus.
Bismarck has been blessed with great goaltending in recent seasons. One of their goalies at the end of last season is committed to Dartmouth for 2011-2012 and the other goalie played great, even in playoffs. I am wondering if maybe both goalies are returning to Bismarck. I still would be surprised if Fargo had more than two goalies to start the season, but it could happen, of course. Seth is a very nice goaltender and he will find a home.
Actually they have one returner and a draftee and Seth out played both from what I was told.
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