Los Angeles Kings Recall Defensemen Derek Forbort From Manchester

The Los Angeles Kings have called up defensemen Derek Forbort from their American Hockey League affiliate the Manchester Monarchs.

Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi made the announcement this morning.

Forbort who wears #3 for the Monarchs will wear #84 for the Kings. According to Kings.com Forbort will become the first player in Kings history to wear the number.

Los Angeles Kings

Derek Forbort is a 6’4, 218 pound defensemen from Duluth, Minnesota. The 22-year-old Forbort was drafted by the Kings in the 1st round, 15th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Forbort singed a three-year NHL Entry-level contract with the Kings on April 5th, 2013.

Forbort is in his second full season with the Monarchs after finishing his collegiate career at the University of North Dakota. In 46 games with Manchester this season Forbort has recorded 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, a +15 plus/minus rating, and 37 penalty minutes.

Forbort’s plus/minus is third on the Monarchs, and first among all defensmen on the team.

Forbort has never played a game in the NHL.

Perhaps this move suggests that the concussion-like symptoms Alec Martinez is suffering from are more serious than originally thought. Martinez took a hard hit in the Kings 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

If Martinez is out for an extended period of time the Kings are going to need solid help on their blue line. L.A. has suffered a number of injuries to defensemen this season, which has been one of the major reasons the team has struggled to stay in a top-eight playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Forbort has been complimented for his skating ability, solid play at both ends of the ice, and offensive instincts. The only knock against him is that he doesn’t have experience.

The Kings next game is tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST at Staples Center.

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