MUSKEGON, Mi. – One of Canmore’s best young hockey prospects was moved at the United States Hockey League’s trade deadline.
The Fargo Force traded 19-year-old defenceman Finn McLaughlin to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in exchange for 17-year-old defenceman Cameron Aucoin – son of former NHL defenceman Adrian Aucoin – and future considerations on Feb. 24.
Canmore's McLaughlin was acquired by the Force last season from the Youngstown Phantoms to help bolster their defensive core for a playoff run, which paid off when the team won the Clark Championship.
On the western conference's Force this season, McLaughlin had a plus-10 rating and scored five goals and 20 points.
“As a returning player this year he has really taken a leap in his development … we wish him all the best down the stretch run in Muskegon as well as in his college career and beyond,” said Force head coach and general manager Brett Skinner in a media release.
McLaughlin is committed to the University of Denver’s Division I hockey program.
The blue liner, who has dual citizenship, served as captain of Team USA and he scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge against Sweden last December.
On the NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings, the Canmore defenceman was ranked 209 among North American skaters for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
The Lumberjacks, an eastern conference team, currently have 63 points in the USHL standings and are in a playoff position.
