Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of the NHL
- Name: Michael Forney
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-05-14
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Thief River Falls, Minnesota
- Acquired: 3rd round (80th overall), 2006
- Playing In: Pro
Michael Forney
Prospect Grade: 5.5 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2004-2005: Was one of the top high school players in Minnesota as a junior scoring 34 goals with 33 assists in 28 games to lead Thief River Falls. Was named Honorable Mention All-State by the Associated Press.
2005-06: Forney played three games with the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers prior to his high school season then joined Thief River Falls for his senior season. He ranked among the state's top point scorers his senior year with 68 points in 25 games. The forward was a Mr. Hockey finalist and was named to the AP All-State Team. Played with Team USA in U-18 Five Nations Cup in Moscow and was the leading scorer at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival. Committed to playing college hockey at North Dakota.
2006-07: Attended the USA WJC camp in Lake Placid but saw limited ice time as a freshman for North Dakota. Hampered by a shoulder injury and unable to earn a place in the lineup on a full-time basis, he finished with two assists in 16 games for the Fighting Sioux. Forney had two shoulder surgeries following the season in an effort to correct the recurring problems.
2007-08: With several young forwards in the mix for the Fighting Sioux, Forney was never able to establish himself once he was healthy enough to play and appeared in only three games as a sophomore. Left school at the end of the season in a bid to get his game back on track at the junior level.
2008-09: Playing in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers as a 20-year-old, Forney scored 26 goals and 34 assists and had a plus/minus rating of +33 in 59 games. Originally intending to return to college hockey, he instead signed an entry-level contract with the Thrashers in July.
2009-10: Attended camp with the Thrashers before being demoted to Chicago (AHL) and then Gwinnett (ECHL), where he spent the bulk of the season. In 63 games with the Gladiators, he scored 11 goals with 15 assists and was -8 with 66 PIM. He was scoreless in three games with Chicago.
2010-11: The third rounder from the 2006 draft looked at last began to like a scoring star, albeit in the ECHL. The top scorer for the Gwinnett Gladiators, Forney fired home 21 goals and added 45 assists in 66 games.
Talent Analysis
Forney is a decent skater, but his strength is in his stick-handling and playmaking ability. He needs to add some size to his frame and improve his explosiveness. Has a knack for finding his way to the front of the net. He appears to have overcome the shoulder injuries which slowed his development while at North Dakota. Must continue to develop all aspects of his game and add physical strength if he's to have a shot at one day reaching the NHL level.
Future
Unable to stick with the Jets’ AHL affiliate, Forney has been assigned to start the 2011-12 season back in the ECHL.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 19th 2011
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