Ford at Jet Camp – Winnipeg Free Press Watches Prizes

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Ford at Jet Camp – Winnipeg Free Press Watches Prizes

The NHL debut didn’t have a more perfect picture than Parker Ford enjoyed.

As fate would have it, Rhode Island’s product fits in his first NHL game against the Boston Bruins – the team he grew up with took root.

That would be memorable enough, but Ford joined Joonas Korpisalo for himself and those who participated in TD Gardens as part of the third phase of the quarter-goal burst, beating the Jets with a 6-2 victory.

Mike Deal / Free Press

Winnipeg Jets forward Parker Ford bounced an extra bounce in his footsteps after recovering from an upper body injury that required surgery.

After a post-match interview, Ford spent some time trying to soak the moment, he was stuffed in the arena by a large number of supporters before getting on the car with his teammates.

“When they came out, they were shouting my name,” Ford recalled in a one-on-one interview at Jets Training Camp. “I don’t think a lot of people would stay because usually you have to pass the ball to everyone. I think I only gave five or six passes, so it was so cool to see a lot of people staying after and giving everyone a hug. It made it even more special and able to share this time with everyone.”

Ford is expected to adapt in an exhibition game against the Canadian Center for Life on Tuesday, with the Edmonton Oilers, who will appear with the Jets in two games before he is returned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

The NHL experience gave him some extra bounce in his steps, but he suffered upper body injuries that required surgery.

Instead of considering when his next NHL opportunity will come, Ford adjusted his gaze to recover quickly.

“You’ve got to play every game and then suddenly, you’ve got a hard time for the rest of the season,” Ford said. “When you get hurt, you’re trying to do something different. Come back as soon as possible and get a small victory. That’s what it boils down to. Every day, have a goal and do your best. Their goal is different from when they’re healthy, but that’s how the game develops.”

There is no doubt that Ford’s timing was unfortunate because on the shelf it prevented him from shooting again before the Stanley Cup playoffs arrived.

“Yes. It’s almost the last step in the game. It’s just a trendy game,” Ford said. “I don’t know. This is just one of them. When you least expect it, injury seems to happen. I don’t know how bad it was at the beginning, and then I quickly found out (that’s). ”

Ford has fully recovered and after a strong off-season training, he is ready to try to solve the next goal – which will be the NHL regular season.

While there seem to be no lot of vacancies in the big club, Ford doesn’t care who he might have to skip on the organization depth chart.

“It’s just a different goal-making process,” Ford said. “But the next step is to prove that I’m a player every day. Not only are I playing a few games here and there. Everyone in the camp, they’re fighting for work. I’ve been doing work for the last two years trying to win my stripes. It’s something I need to take next step to show that I can be here every day.

“Obviously, you’re going to see men coming and going,” Ford said. “You want to be that guy. I want to be that guy to team up and fight for that place. Every day, I can almost see it. I just need to get there. ”

Ford knew the style of play he needed to play to enhance his chances of achieving this.

When he was at his best, the dynamic forward performed well, had very high intensity and completed all checks while being able to provide some secondary scores.

“My teammates and coaching staff know every game I bring and I’ve been a consistent player throughout my career. My identity,” Ford said. “For me to be here, I have to stick to who I am and be one of the best people. It’s hard, do all the little things, play on both sides of the puck.

“I’m fighting for the next six points, and your job (in this role) is to bring energy to the team. It might not be a goal score, but it could be a big hit or a hinder, even a wise game. That’s what I think I can bring to the team.”

Ford, who was overwhelmed by the summer back to Rhode Island in July, was able to share his personal story about where he was when he scored his first NHL goal.

“Heard everyone’s opinion, how they see it, how they hear it, which is more special to me than actually watching a replay of the goal,” Ford said. “You set that goal for your life (scoring for the NHL goal), and you finally get there. You get there and then you’re like, ‘Now?’ That’s the reflection process.

“How do we keep moving forward from here? Same as the team. How do we get better? How do we get better after the Jets were successful last year? It’s a similar process, how I’m going to take the next step, and that’s what I’m going to do.”