Michael Forney Explained

Michael Forney
Played For:Chicago Wolves
St. John's IceCaps
Texas Stars
EC VSV
Sparta Warriors
Sheffield Steelers
Belfast Giants
Position:Left wing
Shoots:Right
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:185
Birth Date:14 May 1988
Birth Place:Thief River Falls, Minnesota, U.S.
Draft:80th overall
Draft Year:2006
Draft Team:Atlanta Thrashers
Career Start:2009
Career End:2017

Michael Forney (born May 14, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He last played with the Belfast Giants in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Forney was drafted 80th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

Playing career

Forney played in the 2010–11 ECHL All-Star Game.[2] Without an extension offered from his entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Forney returned to the Eagles on a full-time basis, signing a one-year deal on August 16, 2012.[3]

In the 2012–13 season, Forney led the Eagles in scoring, finishing second in the league, with 79 points in 71 games. He was rewarded with a selection to the ECHL First All-Star Team. A free agent, with the intention of keeping in shape, Forney went on a working holiday of sorts, signing a short-term contract with the Perth Thunder of the Australian Ice Hockey League. In only 16 games with the Thunder, Forney scored an impressive 47 points, before leaving in preparation to join his new Austrian club, EC VSV, on a one-year contract for the 2013–14 season.

After a spell with Sheffield Steelers, Forney signed for EIHL counterparts Belfast Giants in 2015. Following two seasons in Northern Ireland, Forney announced his return to his native Minnesota in April 2017.[4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2002–03Thief River Falls High SchoolHSMN2841014
2003–04Thief River Falls High SchoolHSMN24142236
2004–05Thief River Falls High SchoolHSMN28343367
2005–06Thief River Falls High SchoolHSMN2123376028
2005–06Des Moines BuccaneersUSHL30000
2005–06US NTDP U18USDP41010
2006–07University of North DakotaWCHA1602210
2007–08University of North DakotaWCHA30002
2008–09Green Bay GamblersUSHL5926346053737102
2009–10Gwinnett GladiatorsECHL6311152666
2009–10Chicago WolvesAHL30000
2010–11Chicago WolvesAHL90220
2010–11Gwinnett GladiatorsECHL6621456679
2011–12Colorado EaglesECHL522031515710110
2011–12St. John's IceCapsAHL30000
2011–12Texas StarsAHL111122
2012–13Colorado EaglesECHL7135447911061344
2012–13Perth ThunderAUS1611364712
2013–14EC VSVAUT3510112128
2013–14Sparta WarriorsNOR105611250336
2013–14Arizona SundogsCHL313421036914
2014–15Sheffield SteelersEIHL523334676341230
2015–16Belfast GiantsEIHL522028484321120
2016–17Belfast GiantsEIHL491523383630220
AHL totals261342
ECHL totals2538713522231271454
EIHL totals153688515314292570

International

Awards and honours

AwardYear
ECHL
First All-Star Team2012–13[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2006 Draft Choices Round 3 . . 2006-06-24 . 2009-10-04.
  2. Web site: Forney selected to the ECHL All-Star game . . 2012-01-05 . 2012-01-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120308063742/http://www.coloradoeagles.com/news.php?nid=1053 . 2012-03-08 .
  3. Web site: Eagles re-sign forward Michael Forney . . 2012-08-16 . 2012-08-20 . dead . https://archive.today/20130119124237/http://www.coloradoeagles.com/news.php?nid=1369 . 2013-01-19 .
  4. Web site: Forney announces Belfast departure . . 2017-04-02 . 2017-04-02.
  5. Web site: All ECHL First Team announced . . 2013-05-01 . 2013-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130526233151/http://www.echl.com/all-echl-first-team-announced-p182847 . 2013-05-26 . dead .