Ford turning heads with all-out approach to game

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/09/2023 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Parker Ford lost track of the number of one-timers he was asked to hit during the two-man advantage Wednesday night.

The only one that truly mattered found the back of the net in what turned into a 3-2 shootout loss for the Winnipeg Jets against the visiting Calgary Flames.

“I don’t think I’ve taken that many one-timers in a game before,” said Ford. “It was funny, but it was nice to pot one there.”

Ford, signed by the Jets to a two-year, two-way deal last spring after he finished his senior season as the captain of the Providence College Friars of the NCAA, has emerged as one of the mystery candidates in the battle for the 13th forward job.

That was before he found the back of the net in his second preseason game.

Wherever you turn, there’s Ford doing something to catch the attention of the coaching staff.

A burst of speed, here. A bruising body check, there. An impressive backtrack where he used those wheels to catch a Flames player and prevent him from scoring a backdoor tap-in.

“You want guys to step up and say, ‘I can help your team. I can make you a better team.’ And that’s what he’s trying to do,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness. “Give him full marks. The last two games, you notice him. And he’s strong on his feet, he’s not afraid and he sticks his nose in there and he’s got a good sense for the net.”

Ford joined the Manitoba Moose late last season and appeared in eight games, recording two goals and four points.

He’s also showing some Brandon Tanev qualities, another undrafted college free agent the Jets signed in March of 2016,

“A lot of people have been asking me that,” said Ford. “I’ve never met him, but I grew up watching him play at Providence. I’m from Rhode Island and went to a lot of Providence games growing up. He’s a great player, plays with a lot of energy. I’ve taken some things from his game.”

The Jets have reached the stage of training camp where the lower-body injuries are piling up and the opportunities for those battling for spots on the periphery of the roster are running out.

The next opportunity to impress comes Friday night in Ottawa, and Winnipeg is expected to dress a mostly inexperienced lineup, though Laurent Brossoit will start in goal and Collin Delia will dress as the backup.

With Bowness planning to play most of his regulars for the final two preseason tilts (Oct. 2 in Calgary and Oct. 5 at home against the Senators) this could be the last chance for many to avoid the next round of cuts.

“When you get in those situations, you’re right: we’re running out of games quickly and a lot of our veterans want to play in those last two games,” said Bowness. “So, all we can say to those guys is, ‘This might be your last game. Take advantage of it and make the most of it.’”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: WiebesWorld