FARGO — Leo Gruba’s past eight weeks have been a whirlwind.
On the ice, the Hill-Murray product has blossomed into one of the USHL’s top defensemen, especially in the offensive zone. Gruba leads Fargo with 14 points (5-9-14) through 10 games and he leads all USHL defensemen in both goals and points. Along with a plus-9 rating — which ranks sixth among USHL blue liners.
Off the ice, Gruba has been just as busy, whether it be cooking, watching Stars Wars or reading — a hobby he’s taken up with Fargo goaltender Anton Castro. All in an attempt to relax and enjoy some time away from the game.
Accomplishing that task has been easier said than done though.
Ever since he decommitted from St. Cloud State in early September, Gruba’s phone has been buzzing with texts and calls non-stop. Along with college coaches waiting for him after every game as the 19-year-old goes through the recruiting process for a second time.
However, that process is now complete, as Gruba has committed to the University of Minnesota.
“It was a really hard decision but what drove me to Minnesota is the history, the winning culture and the rivalries every night,” Gruba told The Rink Live Tuesday evening. “So many defensemen have gone there too and went on to be successful in the NHL, so I’m pumped to be a Gopher.”
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound defenseman continues a recent string of success for Bob Motzko’s program on the recruiting trail, especially in the USHL.
Dubuque forward Erik Påhlsson — who is currently the league’s leading scorer — committed to the Gophers on Sunday while Lincoln defenseman Jacob Rombach, NTDP forward LJ Mooney and Sioux Falls forward Hayden Reid also announced their pledge to the maroon and gold in September.
Gruba and Pahlsson are both expected to arrive on campus next fall.
Gruba received plenty of interest throughout his recruiting process — including from multiple future Big Ten rivals — but after weighing all of his options and talking with those around him, he’s excited to be staying in his own backyard.
“It’s kind of funny... My dad (Tony) was a St. Cloud guy and played at SCSU, so I grew up going to watch the Huskies. But I’ve gone to a couple Gopher games and seen the atmosphere," Gruba said. "Plus living here you know how special Minnesota is. So I can’t wait to get on campus. And I know my family and friends are all really excited too.
"The recruiting process was a lot at times and it was pretty eye-opening, but it was a lot of fun and it was great for me. I did a few tours, I talked to a lot of different coaches and people from all over the country, and I had a lot of great opportunities that I could’ve seen myself at any of them honestly. But I really liked what (Minnesota) had to offer. I thought it was the best option for myself and my development, so I’m really blessed to have this opportunity.”
As for this season specifically, it’s Gruba’s third year of junior hockey and second in the USHL. Along with a three-year high school career, Gruba spent part of the 2021-22 season with the NAHL’s St. Cloud Norsemen. He played 60 games with the Force last season, along with nine in the playoffs.
Fargo won the Anderson Cup and made it to the Clark Cup Finals, where Gruba played a key role on Fargo’s top pair.
However, he wanted to return for another year of junior hockey and felt he had something left to prove.
“This season I’ve really tried to push my limits and work on my game however I can,” Gruba said. “When you say you’re pushing your limits as a defenseman, some people might grab onto their chair. But I’ve really tried to get more involved in the play and almost be a fourth forward out there while also being smart defensively.
“I’m feeling really good out there right now and I think another big thing is I’m trusting my game and my shooting ability, and I’ve got a lot of talented players around me too. Plus I’ve been able to have a bigger voice and be a leader in our room, and that was one of the things I was really looking forward to and excited about coming back.”
“Whether it was watching Leo in high school, talking to Nick (Oliver) last season or doing homework on our players this summer, I knew Leo was a talented player and his offensive tools speak for themselves,” added Fargo head coach Brett Skinner, who has the Force off to a 10-0-0 start. “When you’re a defenseman you can’t go all the time and you have to pick your spots. I think Leo has done that really well and I know he’s a second-year player in our league, but he has really good instincts and is a smart player.
“He’s a really good kid too, and for myself trying to get up and running with a new team, he’s been someone I’ve leaned on and he’s been great in our room. I know he had a bunch of goals coming into this season and felt there were some things that he needed to get better at too, and so far he’s really taken a step.”
Force set a franchise record with 10th consecutive win, determined to avoid getting complacent
The Fargo Force fell three wins short of the Clark Cup last spring. However, it gave them plenty of motivation and valuable experience as Fargo is off to a 10-0-0 start this season.
Multiple sources have indicated Gruba’s decision to return to the USHL ultimately led to his decommitment from St. Cloud State. However, Gruba reiterated he has no hard feelings and “all the respect in the world” for Brett Larson’s program.
Along with his offensive uptick this fall, Gruba said he really emphasized his skating and speed coming into this season.
His summer actually featured some hurdles at the start as Gruba dealt with a pulled groin. However, he was back to 100% in July and was able to finish his summer strong before heading to Fargo's camp.
The results are showing so far.
“He’s been phenomenal and it feels like every game he’s doing something you’ve never seen in the offensive zone,” said Fargo forward Mac Swanson, who has been one of Gruba’s teammates for each of the past two seasons. “He’s good defensively and I just think he’s playing with a lot of confidence. He’s someone you love having on your team.”
“He’s just playing with more confidence and the offensive side of his game really took off this summer,” added Castro, who was also teammates with Gruba last season. “He did a lot of skills skates and I actually went to a few of them too, so I saw the work he was putting in first-hand.
“So I think he was able to just really carry that into this season and he seems really confident stepping up in the rush and playing his game. I think last year he was playing a little bit safer, which is okay, especially as a first-year guy in the league. And obviously getting another year of experience is going to help with that. But I think he’s just playing his game really well right now and I’m excited to see what he does the rest of this season.”
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As for what Force fans can expect the rest of this season, Gruba hopes to build on the impressive start. Both individually and collectively.
One top of being among the league leaders himself, the Force are the league’s final undefeated team and currently hold a three-point lead atop the Western Conference.
Fargo has been the league’s best defensive team too as the Force have allowed just 16 goals through 10 games — 11 clear of the next closest team (Madison). And its penalty kill (93.8%) and power play (38.7%) rank first and third in the USHL respectively.
Especially after coming so close to last season, those inside Fargo’s locker room have their eyes set on winning the franchise’s second Clark Cup next spring.
Gruba is hoping to achieve that goal and he wants to hoist another title in the future too. Except this time in maroon and gold.
“Man, that would be a dream come true,” Gruba said. “Winning is the ultimate thing you want as an athlete and to raise a trophy for your hometown team, that would be incredible. And I think we’re going to have the talent to do that.
“It’s going to be a dream come true putting that sweater on in general and the cool part of being a Minnesota guy is there’s an extra element of pride when you wear that M. That’s something that I know I’m not going to take for granted and I can’t wait to be a Gopher.”