Derek Forbort Bio
Derek Forbort is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 4, 1992, in Duluth, Minnesota, he currently skates for the Vancouver Canucks after signing with the club as a free agent in July 2024. Over the course of his career, Forbort has also represented the Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, and Boston Bruins, establishing himself as a steady, two-way blueliner.
Selected 15th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Forbort turned professional in 2013 and has since built a reputation for penalty killing, physical play, and dependable defensive zone coverage. He won a gold medal with the United States at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships and a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, adding an international pedigree to his NHL resume.
Early Life and Background
Derek Forbort grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, a cold-weather city with a strong hockey tradition that helped shape his early development. He attended Duluth East High School, where he played his junior season in 2008–09 and produced 28 points in 21 games, a performance that earned him a regional All-Star selection. That same season, he also appeared in nine games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP), competing in the United States Hockey League (USHL).
The following year, Forbort played his first full season with the USNTDP, recording 4 goals and 14 points in 26 USHL games and finishing with 25 points in 56 total contests with the development team. He also represented his country at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he posted two assists and a +9 rating on his way to a gold medal. After completing his development path, Forbort committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2010–11 season, continuing his progression within the United States national program.
Path to Hockey
Forbort entered the 2010 NHL Entry Draft as one of the most highly regarded North American defensemen. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him the ninth-best North American skater, an improvement over his midterm ranking of 11th, while International Scouting Services placed him tenth overall. Projected as a first-round selection, he was chosen 15th overall by the Los Angeles Kings, immediately placing him on a path toward the NHL.
Rather than rush to the professional ranks, Forbort spent the 2010–11 season at the University of North Dakota, refining his game at the collegiate level. He also competed at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Buffalo, New York, helping the United States capture a bronze medal. These experiences gave him a balanced foundation of high-level junior, college, and international hockey before he signed his first NHL contract with the Kings in April 2013.
Derek Forbort Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
On April 5, 2013, Derek Forbort signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings, beginning his professional career. He spent the bulk of his first two seasons with the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, where he adjusted to the pace and physicality of pro hockey. On February 11, 2015, the Kings recalled him briefly, though he was returned to the Monarchs without appearing in an NHL game.
Forbort finally made his NHL debut on October 16, 2015, against the Minnesota Wild. Later that season, on December 28, he scored his first NHL goal in a 5–0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Those early appearances gave him a foothold at the top level and set the stage for a full-time role the following year.
Los Angeles Kings Breakthrough (2015–2020)
In the 2016–17 season, his second full NHL campaign, Forbort earned a spot on the Kings’ opening roster and went on to play 82 games, finishing with 18 points. The heavy workload reflected the Kings’ growing trust in his defensive reliability and penalty-killing ability. On October 19, 2017, the organization rewarded him with a two-year contract extension, underscoring his value as a long-term piece on the blueline.
The 2019–20 season proved more difficult. Forbort began the year on injured reserve and, after a conditioning assignment with the Ontario Reign, returned to appear in just 14 games while recording a single assist. On February 24, 2020, the Kings dealt him at the trade deadline to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2021 conditional fourth-round pick, closing his initial chapter in Los Angeles.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2020–2021)
Following his time in Calgary, Forbort signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets as a free agent on October 11, 2020. During the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, he became a steady presence on the Jets’ back end, appearing in all 56 regular-season games. He contributed 2 goals and 12 points while logging tough defensive minutes and serving on the penalty kill.
Boston Bruins Era (2021–2024)
On July 28, 2021, Forbort left Winnipeg to sign a three-year, $9 million contract with the Boston Bruins as a free agent. He opened his Bruins tenure by scoring his first goal for the club on October 24, 2021, against the San Jose Sharks. Over the next three seasons, he grew into a trusted depth defenseman known for shot blocking and matchup work.
The 2022–23 season marked a personal offensive milestone, as Forbort scored 5 goals for the first time in his NHL career, though a March 16, 2023 injury briefly sidelined him. The 2023–24 campaign was tougher: he battled multiple injuries, was placed on long-term injured reserve on December 7, 2023, and required surgery after a March 2 game against the New York Islanders. Despite those setbacks, he returned earlier than expected during the Bruins’ first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs and rejoined the lineup in Game 1 of the next round against the Florida Panthers.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2024–Present)
After three seasons in Boston, Forbort signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2024, as a free agent. The move gave him a fresh start on the West Coast, closer to his Minnesota roots, and a chance to contribute to a young, retooling Vancouver lineup. He continues to provide veteran defense, penalty killing, and physical play for the Canucks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 218 pounds, Forbort uses his size to win board battles, block shots, and clear the front of his net. He is most effective in a defensive, shutdown role, logging difficult matchups against opposing top lines and serving as a key penalty killer. Coaches have valued his composure, simple breakouts, and willingness to play through injuries for the team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Forbort’s career has featured several signature moments, from his first NHL goal against the Canucks in 2015 to his 2010 gold medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships. He played a full 82-game season with the Kings in 2016–17, appeared in every regular-season game for Winnipeg in 2020–21, and staged an impressive early return from surgery during Boston’s 2024 playoff run against the Florida Panthers.
Derek Forbort Career Wins
Derek Forbort’s career does not feature major individual trophies or scoring titles, but he has collected important team and international medals. He won gold with the United States at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships and added a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. At the NHL level, he reached the Stanley Cup playoffs with both the Boston Bruins and the Winnipeg Jets, and he helped the Bruins eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
International Highlights
Forbort represented the United States at two major junior-level tournaments. At the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships, he recorded two assists and a +9 rating on his way to a gold medal. The following winter, he played for the U.S. at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Buffalo, New York, capturing a bronze medal.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his international success, Forbort earned a regional All-Star nod at Duluth East High School in 2008–09 and developed into a reliable everyday NHL defenseman. His playoff appearances with the Jets and Bruins, along with his steady work on penalty-killing units, have marked him as a dependable contributor even without headline-grabbing individual awards.
Derek Forbort Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Derek Forbort comes from Duluth, Minnesota, a region with deep roots in American hockey. The city’s cold climate and strong youth programs helped introduce him to the sport at a young age and shaped his early development as a defenseman.
Personal Life
Forbort keeps much of his personal life out of the public eye, and verified details about a spouse, children, or parents are not widely confirmed in available sources. He continues his professional career in the NHL and remains connected to his Minnesota roots.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Derek Forbort is in the midst of his first full season with the Vancouver Canucks after joining the club on July 1, 2024. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract, and the early portion of the season has been about establishing his role within a retooling Vancouver defensive group. His veteran presence has been particularly valuable on the penalty kill, where he has logged significant minutes alongside younger partners.
Forbort’s year has included both stretches of steady, shutdown hockey and typical bumps that come with a 6-foot-4 defender playing a physical style. He has continued to deliver hits, block shots, and contribute on the penalty kill, while staying mostly healthy after a difficult injury-marred 2023–24 campaign with the Bruins. His experience from Boston’s deep playoff run has also helped him mentor the Canucks’ younger blueliners.
As the 2024–25 season progresses, Forbort’s focus is on locking down a consistent top-six defensive role and helping Vancouver push toward a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference. Whether he remains with the Canucks beyond this contract or explores free agency again, his 2025 campaign is another chapter in a career built on reliability, toughness, and team-first play.