Force Acquire 3 Year USHL Veteran
February 2, 2023 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Fargo Force press release
The Fargo Force, currently ranked 1st in the USHL standings with a 24-8-3 record, have strengthened their roster with the acquisition of Muskegon forward Owen Mehlenbacher. The 6’2, 193 lb left-footed forward is in his 3rd year with the USHL and had 36 goals and 42 assists in 133 games in his 2-1/2 season with the Lumberjacks. He was Muskegon’s team captain and has recorded 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points with 54 penalties in 31 games so far this season.
Mehlenbacher, who is from Ft. Erie, ONT, was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in last year’s NHL draft. Owen is a 2004 birth year and committed to attending the University of Wisconsin.
“We’re very excited to add a veteran and a high-profile player to our forward lineup,” said Force General Manager Cary Eades. “Owen is a big body playing a full 200ft game. He is known as a leader and has undergone the USHL grind. Also, Owen has USHL playoff experience, which is invaluable, and played some of it
its best games when it comes to high stakes. We had to give up part of our future to win him, but we believe his addition will give us a better chance of remaining at the top of the regular-season standings and more importantly, hopefully a long Clark Cup play-off Run in April and May “.
On the way to Muskegon is 2005 forward Ty Henricks, who recorded 6 goals and 3 assists in 28 games in his junior hockey season with the Force. “Ty’s game has evolved with us throughout the season,” said Eades. “He has a bright future and we wish him nothing but success with Muskegon.” The deal also includes “future considerations” towards Muskegon, to be announced at USHL draft day in early May 2023.
Mehlenbacher is expected to be in the Force line-up this weekend when they play Waterloo. It’s the first meeting between the top two teams in the Western Conference as the Black Hawks are just 5 points behind Fargo after winning 9 of their last 10 games. Force fans will get their first chance to see Mehlenbacher, who will wear the No. 8 shirt, at home the following weekend when Sioux City play two games at the Scheels Arena on February 10th and 11th.
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