By Rick Weegman
McClatchy News Services
DULUTH — Derek Forbort said his decision to leave Duluth East and join the U.S. Under-18 National Development hockey team caused several sleepless nights.
"It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make," he said.
Forbort, a 6-foot-5 junior defenseman, told USA Hockey of his decision Friday and told East coach Mike Randolph on Sunday night. The future University of North Dakota player said he wanted to be better prepared for college.
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"The main thing was I wanted to make sure I was ready to play when I went out to North Dakota," he said.
Randolph says Forbort would have been equally prepared by playing his senior year at East.
"I don’t think he’s any different than the kids who have stayed in high school and went on to the NHL," Randolph said. "He didn’t want to struggle his first year coming out of high school."
