Fargo Force defensemen Axel Löfgren sits down to discuss his first season with club, what it's going to take to claim a Clark Cup and his upcoming commitment to the University of Massachusetts
The Fargo Force were Clark Cup champions two seasons ago, defeating the Dubuque Fighting Saints in 2024 to claim their second championship in franchise history. With the help of first-year defenseman Axel Löfgren, the Force find themselves second place in the United States Hockey League’s Western Conference with nine games to play in the regular season.
Through 50 games this year, Löfgren has recorded nine goals and 21 assists, good for the team lead in both goals and points among all Force defenseman. The 30 points also place the Swedish-born defenseman in a tie for third in goals among all USHL defenseman and tied for ninth in total points. In an interview earlier this week, Löfgren touched on the success he has showcased during the 2025-26 season.
“I’ve just trusted my instincts and believed in my game. I think I have the ability to do really good things on the ice,” Löfgren said. “I haven’t focused too much on the points, I just want to keep growing my overall game.”
The 20-year-old spent the previous season in the British Columbia Hockey League, suiting up for the Powell River Kings, before finishing off the year with the West Kelowna Warriors. Over 42 games, Löfgren totalled 13 goals and 20 assists. Löfgren spoke on the differences he has experienced since making the leap from the BCHL to the USHL.
“It’s been great coming from the BCHL to the USHL. It was definitely a step up because it feels like you need to be at your best every night to win,” Löfgren said. “There’s no game where you can go out and just collect two points. It’s a great league overall, high skill, heavy and physical. I’ve been enjoying it.”
The Force sit with a record of 33-15-3-2, allowing only 138 goals, good for the second least in the entire USHL and least in the Western Conference. Löfgren discussed why he felt the Force have been so strong defensively this season.
“I think one of the biggest reasons has been our goaltending. There have been some games where we haven’t played great, and they have saved us,” Löfgren said. “We’ve worked together as a unit to make sure we aren’t spending time in our defensive zone. Our strength is our puck-moving ability.”
Leading the way for the Force behind the bench is head coach Brett Skinner. Skinner, a former National Hockey League player, has been the head coach since the 2023-24 season, helping bring a title back to Fargo. Löfgren talked about what it’s been like playing under Skinner this season.
“It’s been fun. He’s definitely hard on us, but it’s because he wants us to get better and he knows what it takes to win,” Löfgren said. “It’s been great. He’s a head coach that’s always helping you learn more about the game.”
With the playoffs clinched, Löfgren and the Force want to use these nine remaining games to make sure their game is right prior to the postseason beginning in April.
“I think we’ve put ourselves in a good spot in the standings. I just want to see us keep playing well and make sure we have our confidence heading into the playoffs,” Löfgren said. “We know what we can do, and we trust ourselves because I think we have a really good team here. We have to keep rolling and having fun, but our main goal is to stand in May as champions.”
Becoming a champion is no easy task, but Löfgren believes that this version of the Force has what it takes to become a Clark Cup champion.
“It’s going to be tough, but we have everything you need to be a winning team,” Löfgren said. “We have the goaltending, we have the defensive core, and we have forwards that can score. We have a good mix of everything.”
Upon completion of this season, Löfgren is committed to furthering his hockey career at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, becoming a member of the Minutemen’s hockey program.
“I really like their coaching staff, and from talking to them last season, I just feel like it was the best fit for me,” Löfgren said. “They contacted me right away, and I feel like this was the best place for me to play to take the next steps in my career. I’m looking forward to going in, learning and getting better.”
As for the remainder of this season, Löfgren has his mind set on achieving only one thing before heading off to UMass.
“I want to win the Clark Cup and stand there as a champion,” Löfgren said.
The Force are back in action on Saturday night during the second game of the back-to-back with the USA Hockey NTDP. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.