How West Seneca-native Griffin Loughran became a Force for Fargo

When Griffin Loughran didn’t cut it with the Youngstown Phantoms last season, he didn’t sulk or let it deter him. Instead, he chose to use it as a learning opportunity and a motivation tool moving forward.

The West Seneca, N.Y., native was sent down to the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), where he was able to score five goals and 15 assists in 32 games.

"I definitely wasn’t ready to play in the USHL last year. Getting scratched helped me. I got to watch the game from a different level and watch the boys. Then playing in Corpus helped me, too," said Loughran.

Fast forward a year and Loughran and his new teammates in Fargo helped the Force win its first USHL Clark Cup in organization history.