Draft | 6/10/2024 11:14:52 AM

The United States Hockey League takes a team-by-team look ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. 

The Fargo Force had three players chosen in the 2023 Draft in Nashville, Cole Knuble, who was drafted as 103^rd overall, Hampton Slukynsky as the 118^th pick, and Ty Henricks at 183^rd overall.   Riley Tufte remains the Force's highest selection in franchise history, who was taken as the 25^th overall pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2016 NHL Draft.  
 
Jake Fisher | Forward 
Central Scouting Rank: #97 
College Commitment: University of Denver 

In his first full season in the USHL Fisher tallied 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 51 games played. The 6'1, 190 lb forward was an important part of the Force offensive firepower finishing four on the team in goals scored including seveb powerplay goals and five multi-goal games throughout the regular season. Fisher put up another four goals and two assists in nine games played during the playoffs including the game winner vs the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the 2024 Clark Cup Final. Following his junior hockey career Fisher is set to play college hockey at the University of Denver.
 
Finn McLaughlin | Defenseman 
Central Scouting Rank: #132 
College Commitment: University of Denver 

In his rookie season in the USHL McLaughlin began the season with the Youngstown Phantoms where he tallied 8 assists in 30 games, since being acquired by the Force via trade back in February he added another two goals and two assists in 20 games played. The 6'1, 186 lb defenseman was selected to play in the 2023-24 Chipotle All-American Game where tallied a goal for Team White. Following his junior hockey career Finn is committed to play college hockey at the University of Denver.
 
Mac Swanson | Forward  
Central Scouting Rank: #152 
College Commitment: University of North Dakota 

From Anchorage, Alaska, Swanson has been with the Force for two seasons, 2022-23 and 2023-24 and has been a crucial piece of the Force's success throughout his time in Fargo. During the 2023-24 season, he was named 2024 USHL Player of the Year & Forward of the Year, becoming the first Fargo Force player to earn either title. He also earned a spot on the All-USHL First Team and was named USA Hockey's Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year. Swanson led the Force with 77 points in 55 games comprised of 26 goals, and league-leading 51 assists averaging 1.40 points per game. The UND Hockey commit ended the 2023-24 season tied for the highest +/- rating in the USHL and highest +/- rating in Force franchise history at +39. During the Clark Cup Playoffs, Swanson led all playoff scorers with 5 goals, 12 assists and 17 points, earning the title of Playoff MVP. Other highlights from Swanson include USHL All-Rookie team, USHL Clark Cup Champion, 2X USHL Anderson Cup Champion Fargo Force Rookie of the Year, Ace Brandt MVP & Reggie Morelli Outstanding Forward. During the 2023-24 season he also represented Team USA at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge, where he recorded a record nine assists, the most ever by a player in the 17-year history of the tournament. Along with the nine assists, Swanson added a pair of goals. His 11 points tied him as the second leading scorer in the tournament. Following his junior hockey career, Swanson is set to play college hockey at the University of North Dakota.
 
Lee Parks | Forward 
Central Scouting Rank: #199 
College Commitment: UMass - Lowell 

In his first season in the USHL Parks tallied 30 goals and 28 assists for 58 points in 62 games played, averaging .94 points per game. His 30 goals during the regular season led all Force players and tied for ninth in the USHL. From the end of December to middle of January Parks scored a goal(s) in nine straight games and went on a 13-game point streak at home. The 6'2, 219 lb forward added another two goals and two assists during Fargo's Clark Cup Championship run. Following his junior hockey career Parks is committed to play college hockey for UMass -Lowell.
 
The USHL has had 50-or-more players selected in each of the last six NHL Drafts, with a league-best 57 chosen in 2022 and 2018. In all the USHL has seen 1,041 of its players selected in total, including four first-overall picks, with at least one player taken in each draft but one dating back to 1981