Forbort photos, bio

Here’s a couple photos from the stage after the Kings drafted Derek Forbort…

And here’s more from the Kings’ official news release on Forbort…

In 26 games played against USHL competition in 2009-10 he had 14 points (4-10=14), 26 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating.  Forbort also competed in the U-18 World Championships in 2010, recording two assists and a plus-nine rating in seven games en route to earning a gold medal.  Overall he played 56 games with the U.S. U-18 team, recording 25 points (5-20=25).

The 6-5, 198-pound native of Duluth, Minn. made the jump to the U.S. National Development Program in 2008-09 after completing his senior year at Duluth East High School.  In nine games played against USHL competition that season he had six points (1-5=6) and 10 penalty minutes.

“Derek is a big defenseman who skates very well and has a well-rounded game,” Kings amateur scout Tony Gasparini said. “In time, as he matures as a young man physically, he is going to be a player who has the ability to eat up a lot of minutes in every area of the game.”

NHL Central Scouting’s Jack Barzee said, “Derek Forbort has good top-end ability at both ends (of the ice). He’s smart and skates so well, he’s almost 6-5 and he’s got everything there in front of him. It’s just a matter of filling out and getting more experience. He’s probably a top-two defenseman in the NHL if he reaches his potential.”