Forbort interviews

Here are two interviews with Derek Forbort, the first one done with myself and Nick Nickson, and the second one done as part of the official “scrum” after the pick. The most interesting thing from the interviews is that Forbort apparently only had a two-minute interview with the Kings, so it will be interesting to talk to Dean Lombardi (hopefully soon) and see what they saw in Forbort…

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Question: Growing up in Duluth, were you pretty much a hockey player all your life?

FORBORT: “Right away. My dad had a rink in the backyard and my mom had a day-care, so we always had games going on. I fell in love with the team early, and I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I’m excited, because this is the first step.”

Question: Who were some of your hockey influences growing up?

FORBORT: “Definitely my dad. He was my first coach growing up, and definitely he was always just teaching me little things about the game. He was always a real positive influence. And then my bantam coaches. That’s really how I got involved, so I owe it all the them.”

Question: Were you always a defenseman growing up?

FORBORT: “Even when I was little, I just loved playing D. I loved being back there and being able to control the game. When I got to my Squirt days, I kind of moved around a little bit, but I missed home.”

Question: At 6-foot-5, you’ve probably always been among the taller kids growing up…

FORBORT: “I’ve always been one of the taller kids, standing in the top rows of all the pictures. I’ve always been tall.”

Question: You mentioned that you only had about a two-minute interview with the Kings. Were you surprised that they picked you?

FORBORT: “The meeting actually went really well. It was just short. I knew they were picking at No. 19, and definitely a lot of the other interviews were more strenuous, but the Kings interview went great.”

Question: What was it like to have to sit and wait to be picked?

FORBORT: “It was definitely a little hard on the stomach, but once I heard my name and saw that it was the Kings, it was just kind of an unbelievable feeling, hearing all the fans and everything.”

Question: Have you followed the Kings at all? Do you know much about the team?

FORBORT: “They have two young, great defensemen in Doughty and Johnson, and Johnson played in the U.S. program so I followed him a little bit. He’s a U.S. hockey icon, and Dustin Brown is another U.S. hockey guy.”

Question: How would you describe your game?

FORBORT: “I think just a good two-way defenseman. I play solid defense and can also contribute offensively. So just a solid two-way game.”

Question: Are there any current players you try to model your game after?

FORBORT: “Definitely one guy is Chris Pronger. He’s been in the league for a lot of years, and he’s always been a great player. He just makes that great first pass and plays unbelievable defense.”

Question: Would you say you have that same physical style of play?

FORBORT: “I’m definitely working on developing that physical game. Going to North Dakota will definitely help with that.”

Question: What was it that made you want to choose North Dakota?

FORBORT: “They’re producing NHL guys every year, so they’re obviously doing something right. It’s a bunch of real straightforward guys, and they let you know where you’re at. They’re real honest with you, so I really felt comfortable with them and the way they work.”

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Also, here’s the official transcript from the NHL, from Forbort’s post-pick interview…

Q. Congratulations.  Surprised?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah.  Simply a good fit.

Q.  You’re committed to college, correct?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yes, North Dakota.

Q.  Did they say wait to see how it works out, or what did they say?
DEREK FORBORT:  To be honest with you, I haven’t gotten into that much conversation about it.  Maybe in the weeks to come we’ll see what happens.

Q.  Any talk at the combine?
DEREK FORBORT:  I had like a two-minute interview with them, so this is kind of unexpected.

Q.  Is there anybody in the NHL that you would compare yourself to that we can say didn’t see you play, but he plays like?
DEREK FORBORT:  I don’t know, someone I try to model my game after is Chris Pronger.  Good puck man, defenseman.  Just an all around defenseman.

Q.  Did you like the fact that the team traded up to get you?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, it’s definitely a good feeling.  I didn’t really know.  It was a great feeling.

Q.  How do you think that two-minute interview went?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, it went well.  It was just a quick interview.

Q.  What do you know about them?
DEREK FORBORT:  I know they’ve got two really good defensemen down in Johnson.  Good young “D”, so I hope to be part of that one day.

Q.  What was the expectation coming in today?  Did you have a feeling?
DEREK FORBORT:  I heard anywhere in the teens.  I didn’t know.  I just wanted to get drafted in the first round.  I’m not a picky guy, so.

Q.  What do you take from your experience?
DEREK FORBORT:  I don’t know.  In the program they just teach you how to be a pro off the ice and on the ice.  It’s really to prepare you for the next level.

Q.  Do you have thoughts being a table setter, and home of the Kings, it’s not like you have to fly out to go see them or anything like that?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, yeah.  It’s pretty cool.  Hopefully I’ll get to see the facilities and see what everything’s like.

Q.  Were you aware of the organization’s playoff rounds up until this year?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, like I said, a bunch of great young players that are changing things around.  So I’m excited.

Q.  Tell me what you felt when you first heard the name, obviously you were hoping?
DEREK FORBORT:  First, it was like, oh, God, I hope I don’t fall.  The next one when I came to terms with it, it was like, wow, this is pretty cool.

Q.  Do you have brothers?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, two young brothers, Nick and Jack.

Q.  Who was most excited?
DEREK FORBORT:  My grandma seemed pretty pumped.

Q.  How much did you sleep last night?
DEREK FORBORT:  Not a lot.

Q.  Because you were in L.A. or the draft or both?
DEREK FORBORT:  A little of both.

Q.  Seemed like everybody wanted a big forward.  Is that the way it went?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, you never know how it’s going to turn out.  That’s just how it went.

Q.  Can you talk about your decision to play?
DEREK FORBORT:  I don’t know.  They put a lot of guys in the NHL, the coaching staff there is great, bunch of straightforward guys and a really good program.

Q.  I’m sure you’re probably going to get a call from one of those guys?  Matt Green is going to be your teammate?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, hopefully.  I’ve got a long ways to go, so…

Q.  Is this your first time in Southern California?
DEREK FORBORT:  This is my first time in L.A..  I was in the Irvine, California, visiting my uncle a couple years ago, but that’s about it.

Q.  Now, Los Angeles, being selected here in L.A. in front of all these fans, going crazy.  You got the biggest round of applause of any pick so far.  How was that?
DEREK FORBORT:  It was amazing.  A little nerve-racking at the same time, but it was a great feeling inside.

Q.  Could you imagine what that feeling would be like when you went up on stage?
DEREK FORBORT:  It was a lot better feeling to be honest.  When I saw them move up, I got a little anxious in the seat. When I heard my name called, it was just, wow.  I just hugged my dad.  I didn’t know what to do.

Q.  What did your dad tell you?
DEREK FORBORT:  I don’t even think he said anything.

Q.  Emotional?  In shock?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah.  It was just an overwhelming feeling of enjoyment.

Q.  Who else did you bring here?
DEREK FORBORT:  My brothers, my grandparents, my aunt, my bantam coach who is a pretty big part of my development as a hockey player.

Q.  You’re going to go play in North Dakota.  You’re committed to North Dakota.  What is it going to take to get up here with the Los Angeles Kings?
DEREK FORBORT:  A lot of hard work and commitment.  I want to play in the NHL.  That’s my dream.  Just getting drafted by the Kings, it’s a great organization.  I’m excited to get after it and come and play here.

Q.  Are you looking forward to going from Minnesota, the cold winters to the nice summers here in L.A.?
DEREK FORBORT:  Yeah, I just bought a winter jacket.