Nov. 21, 2025 – a night Mason West will never forget. The senior quarterback led Edina to a 42-35 win and a Minnesota Class 6A title – completing a goal he’d set to accomplish.

Twenty days later, West will find himself gearing up again, except this time on the ice. 

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West is expected to make his highly-anticipated season debut on Thursday with the USHL’s Fargo Force, as Fargo hosts Sioux City.

The Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick (2025, 29th overall) played 10 games for the Force last spring and racked up nine points in the stretch. He also played in a pair of playoff games.

“Mason came in at the end of last season and did a really good job for us, and he earned the right to be a first-round pick,” Fargo head coach Brett Skinner told FloHockey. “I think for everyone involved, letting him go back to football was important, and we fully supported that decision. And we’re extremely happy he won a title, because that’s what he went back for.

“I think a lot of the experience he gained translates to hockey too, and now we’re committed to getting him up and running as fast as possible. But we also want to put him in a position to be successful, make sure he feels comfortable and put the team in the best possible spot.”

West skated when he could this summer and fall, and he began practicing with the Force last week. He’s remained in communication with Fargo’s staff and has spent the past week getting up to game speed.

The Michigan State commit is listed at 6-foot-6 and 218 pounds, and Skinner called him a tremendous athlete – as he’s shown on the ice and the gridiron.

West finished his senior football season with 183 completions, 2,389 yards and 28 touchdowns through the air. He also rushed for 184 yards and five TDs, caught one pass for 12 yards and a TD, and punted 31 times for Edina.

“I was a super-fan this fall,” Skinner quipped, adding he watched every Edina game online. “I have so much respect for Mason sticking to his journey and accomplishing his goal, especially with so many people second-guessing his decision. But he did it for his friends and his community, and he stuck to his plan.

“To have that maturity and situational awareness at his age, and to perform the way he did, it’s super impressive. And I think he’s gained a lot of skills and leadership qualities that will help him long-term with hockey.”

After being selected 29th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, Mason West discussed why he wanted to return for his final year of high school football with the Edina Hornets, and one of the reasons was that he wanted a shot at a championship.

Tonight, he won that championship.… pic.twitter.com/NS88ya22Hn

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) November 22, 2025

West joins a Fargo (14-9-0-1) club that currently sits second in the USHL’s Western Conference with 29 points, although they’ve scored the USHL’s fourth-fewest goals (61).

West put up 49 points over 31 games for Edina’s hockey team last winter, leading the Hornets to the state tournament. Now he’ll try to provide a boost to the Force lineup.

“The work ethic and drive are clearly there with Mason,” Skinner said. “He’s a smart player and he’s able to read the play so well, especially on the power play, and he’s also a special person. I think we saw his skillset with us last year and now we want to help him continue taking steps.

“He’s a talented player and we’re excited to have him back in-house with us, and we want to help him leave Fargo at the end of this year a better player.”

Thursday's game starts at 6:05 p.m. CDT, which is Fargo's first of three games this weekend. The Force host Sioux Falls on Friday and head to Sioux City on Saturday before the break.

All three games can be streamed here on FloHockey, as can every game throughout the USHL season.

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