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#55 Matthew Ford

Pos: RW
D.O.B.: 10/9/84
From: West Hills, CA
Height: 6'1
Weight: 207
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2004 draft 8th rnd, 256th overall by Chicago (NHL)
Acquired: Signed to 2-yr contract by Grand Rapids (AHL) 7/12/16
Personal:
Plus: Right hand shot sniper with blistering shot... gritty player not afraid to play physical...
Minus: Not the fastest skater... Injury prone...
Organizational Comments:
What GRC says: 2018-19 The captain was out of the lineup for most of the second half and the postseason due to an injury and was not as effective when he was in the lineup. Ford continues to provide leadership and is an example to the younger players but is looking like age and injuries are starting to catch up to him. The veteran winger has one more year left on his contract and has made a career out of hard work and battling through adversity. The organization is counting on a bounce back season from this special-teams ace.
2017-18 The Griffins captain was unable to sustain his blistering offensive pace through the second half of the season. This was in large part to playing with lesser linemates as he was frequently saddled with the rookies and fill-ins from the ECHL as the roster thinned out. He gave 100% on and off the ice, and despite a team low -12 defensive rating he was strong defensively, often blocking shots and paying a price physically to cover up linemate's turnover. With Coach Nelson moving on to Dallas, the unrestricted free agent may be part of the expected veteran exodus over the off-season.
2016-17 Ford is exactly the type of veteran player you want on your AHL farm club. A calming veteran presence willing to play anywhere in the lineup, the hallmarks of his game are effort, competitiveness, work ethic and attitude. He had a good second half offensively despite lower minutes, and was a beast on the powerplay. A clutch scorer all year, Ford was at his best in the post-season, scoring 8 goals, including a team-leading 6 with the man advantage. With a year left on his contract and Paetsch's expected departure I would not be surprised to see Ford wear the 'C' next season.
Summer 2016 A sniper with some size, Ford, will enjoy a bit of a homecoming with the Griffins next season, being reunited with his former coach in Todd Nelson, and his former college linemate in Ben Street. Ford plays with grit and is knows how to take the puck to the net and use his size and hands to create chances in front. He is a pure shooter and possesses a blistering shot.
Role: Scoring Winger
Projection: AHL Sniper

Statistics:

Transactions
7/12/16 Signed 2 yr contract with Grand Rapids (AHL)
10/1/16 Released from Training Camp by Detroit (NHL)
10/1/17 Released from Training Camp by Detroit (NHL)
4/30/18 UFA - Re-signed with Grand Rapids (AHL)
6/26/18 Signed 2 yr contract with Grand Rapids (AHL)
9/27/18 Released from Training Camp by Detroit (NHL)