Derek Forbort Bio
Derek Forbort is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally selected by the Los Angeles Kings, 15th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and has played for several teams throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Born March 4, 1992, in Duluth, Minnesota, USA, Derek Forbort grew up in a region known for producing elite hockey talent. He played high school hockey for Duluth East High School during the 2008-09 season, where he impressed with 28 points in 21 games and was named a regional All-Star. His early development continued with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he gained valuable experience against top competition.
Path to Hockey
Forbort committed to play for the University of North Dakota men’s ice hockey team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2010. He represented the United States at international level, playing at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships where he recorded two assists and a +9 rating, helping the team win a gold medal. Scouts highly regarded Forbort as a promising defenseman, with NHL Central Scouting ranking him as the ninth best North American skater for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, an improvement on his midterm ranking of 11th.
Derek Forbort Career
Early Career (2013-2017)
Forbort began his professional career after being selected 15th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. On April 5, 2013, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Kings. He spent time developing in the American Hockey League with the Manchester Monarchs before making his NHL debut on October 16, 2015, against the Minnesota Wild. He recorded his first NHL goal on December 28 in a 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. During the 2016-17 season, his second with the Kings, Forbort established himself in the lineup, recording 18 points in 82 games.
Los Angeles Kings Breakthrough (2017-2020)
On October 19, 2017, Forbort signed a two-year contract extension with the Kings, demonstrating the organization’s confidence in his development as a defensive defenseman. He continued to be a reliable presence on the blue line during his tenure with the Kings. However, the 2019-20 season was challenging for Forbort as he began on the injured reserve. After returning from a conditioning assignment with the Ontario Reign, he featured in just 14 games for 1 assist before being traded at the NHL trade deadline on February 24, 2020, to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2021 conditional fourth-round pick.
Team Hopping Era (2020-2024)
As a free agent, Forbort signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on October 11, 2020. In the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 season, Forbort appeared in every game for the Jets on the blueline, contributing with 2 goals and 12 points in 56 regular season games. On July 28, 2021, Forbort left the Jets to sign a three-year, $9 million contract with the Boston Bruins as a free agent. He scored his first goal as a Bruin on October 24, 2021, against the San Jose Sharks. During the 2022-23 season, Forbort scored 5 goals for the first time in his career before suffering an injury in March 2023. In the 2023-24 season, Forbort battled numerous injuries, spending significant time on LTIR but made a remarkable recovery to return during the Bruins’ playoff run.
Playing Style and Strengths
Derek Forbort is known as a defensive defenseman who excels in positioning and physical play. His 6-foot-4 frame makes him difficult for opponents to play against, and he uses his size effectively along the boards. Forbort is a left-shot defenseman who has developed into a reliable penalty killer and defensive specialist throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Forbort’s most notable career moment came during his time with the Los Angeles Kings when he was part of the team’s Stanley Cup victory in 2014, though he did not play in the playoffs that season. His most significant individual achievement was his remarkable recovery during the 2024 playoffs, returning from injury much faster than expected to help the Bruins in their postseason run.
Derek Forbort Career Wins
Derek Forbort has accumulated a steady defensive presence throughout his NHL career, though he is not known for offensive production. His value comes from his defensive reliability, physical play, and ability to protect his own zone effectively.
NHL Highlights
Throughout his career, Forbort has primarily been recognized for his defensive contributions rather than offensive statistics. He has played in over 500 NHL games across multiple teams, establishing himself as a reliable defensive defenseman. His most notable achievements include winning a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships and a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with Team USA.
International Play
Forbort has represented the United States at the international level multiple times, most notably at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships where he won a gold medal, and at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where the team earned a bronze medal. His international performance helped solidify his reputation as a promising defensive prospect early in his development.
Derek Forbort Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
There is publicly available information regarding Derek Forbort’s family background or hockey lineage. His birthplace of Duluth, Minnesota, is a region known for producing hockey talent, but specific details about his parents or family members involved in hockey are not readily available.
Personal Life
Derek Forbort maintains a relatively private personal life. He does not have publicly documented information about his marital status, spouse, or children. He is active on social media, particularly Instagram under the handle @derekforbort4, where he occasionally shares updates about his life and career.
2025 Season Performance
Derek Forbort joined the Vancouver Canucks on a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent on July 1, 2024. After a challenging 2023-24 season with the Boston Bruins where he battled numerous injuries, Forbort looks to provide experienced defensive depth for the Canucks. His ability to play a physical, shutdown style of defense makes him a valuable addition to Vancouver’s blue line. For the 2025 season, Forbort will likely continue to serve in a defensive specialist role, focusing on penalty killing and defensive zone coverage while providing veteran leadership to the team’s younger defensemen. His successful recovery from significant injuries in 2024 suggests he is healthy and ready to contribute consistently for the Canucks.