Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:
GRIFFINS RE-SIGN CAPTAIN MATTHEW FORD FOR TWO YEARS
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday re-signed right wing Matthew Ford to a two-year contract.
Ford, 33, captained the Griffins in 2017-18 and totaled 38 points (22-16—38) and 42 penalty minutes in 72 regular season games before posting five points (2-3—5) in five Calder Cup Playoff appearances. He placed fourth on the team in goals and ranked sixth in points. Ford’s career-high-tying 12 power play goals tied for fifth in the AHL and seventh on the franchise’s single-season list.
In two seasons with the Griffins, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound winger has tallied 73 points (36-37—73) and 70 PIM in 123 regular season contests. He’s skated in 24 postseason games in Grand Rapids, showing 17 points (10-7—17) and helping the Griffins win the franchise’s second Calder Cup in 2017.
Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the eighth round, 256th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Ford has accumulated 379 points (185-194—379) and 429 PIM in 603 career AHL contests between Hartford (2008-09), Lake Erie (2008-11), Hershey (2011-12), Adirondack (2011-13), Springfield (2012-13), Oklahoma City (2013-15), Bakersfield (2015-16) and Grand Rapids. He showed career highs in both goals (29) and points (59) in 2011-12, while splitting the campaign between Hershey and Adirondack. Ford posts 30 points (15-15—30) and 58 PIM in 45 career Calder Cup Playoff games.
A native of West Hills, Calif., Ford played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin (WCHA) from 2004-08. He totaled 39 points (21-18—39) in 124 games and helped the Badgers claim the 2006 NCAA National Championship. Ford was also named the USHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2003-04 after scoring 68 points (37-31—68) in 60 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede.
Update: Here’s Ford speaking to the Grand Rapids Press’s Peter J. Wallner:
“I’m obviously excited to stay here in Grand Rapids,” Ford said after the announcement. “A place my family has come to call home.
“The last couple years with the Griffins have been some of the most enjoyable and proudest moments of my career. It was a no brainer that I wanted to stick with this group of guys and this winning culture that this organization has developed with the Red Wings.”
