Parker Ford was an undrafted player that the Winnipeg Jets signed at the conclusion of the 2022-23 NCAA season. The Jets originally wanted to sign him after the 2021-22 season, but he wanted the full college experience. It was a signing that began with an AHL deal to let Ford play in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose.
Ford signed a two-year, two-way contract with a cap hit of $925,000. This preseason, so far, Ford seems to be worth the investment.
Last season
The 5-9, 181-pound, forward played the last four seasons with Providence College in the NCAA. In his Hockey East career, he amassed 89 points in 131 games. In his final year, he posted 26 points in 37 games.
Once he entered the AHL, Parker Ford scored four points in eight games. Ford also managed to play in five playoff games but did not score a point.
Impressing so far
Parker Ford on his first NHL training camp and preseason:
«Coming from college hockey, you take the cage off and get a couple more bumps and bruises, [b]ut it's part of the territory.»
«You look around the room and you see a lot of good players, [t]hat can be a little bit of an eye-opener. Every day you have doubts. But you have to just pretend they're not a thing.»
Head Coach Rick Bowness has stated that Parker Ford is in the running for an NHL job with his play so far. He has impressed everyone in camp and the coach is the most important.