Connor Ford Shares Unique Journey from Western Pennsylvania to Division I Hockey Power

Bowling Green State University and University of North Dakota men’s hockey alumni, Connor Ford, may not have been a big time college recruit coming out of high school, but it did not stop him from reaching the Division I ranks and from becoming a professional hockey player.

(Photos courtesy of Bowling Green Athletics and University of North Dakota Athletics)

At the age of three, Ford first learned how to skate and began playing hockey for the first time a year later. Inspired most by his father Tim Ford, a former hockey player at Ferris State and baseball player at the University of Pittsburgh, Ford followed in his dad’s footsteps of playing college hockey.

“(My dad) got me involved early on in all of the sports he enjoyed. Hockey, baseball, golf; he was the coach of many of my youth (hockey) teams and grew my love for the game.”

Wanting to reach the Division I ranks, he decided to venture away from Western Pennsylvania during high school and attended Shattuck St. Mary’s where he played hockey for the Sabres. A boarding school located in Faribault, Minnesota, Ford joined one of the greatest high school hockey traditions in all of the world that has helped to produce around 100 NHL talents.

“I showed up at Shattuck as a scared boy and I left there as a man. I learned many important life lessons away from the rink that changed my life for the better, putting me on a much more successful path. Additionally, I learned how to play hockey the way that I play it now. I owe much of my success as a person and a hockey player to Shattuck and my coach there, Tom Ward.”

After his high school career that included 27 goals and 37 assists in 95 games, he played a year of junior hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers in Iowa of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He added nine more goals and 11 assists in his lone year for the organization. This level of competition allowed him to gain bigger interest from Division I programs which eventually led him to his first college program in Bowling Green State University (BGSU).

“Bowling Green offered an opportunity for someone in my situation,” explained Ford. I would have the chance to play a significant role as a freshman where other schools I would struggle to crack the lineup my first year. I also loved the coaching staff and the school, so it was the perfect fit.”

In four-years at Bowling Green, Ford played in 136 games, scored 53 goals, dished out 61 assists, and scored seven game winning goals. His career accolades at Bowling Green include being named a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Academic and Scholar-Athlete three-times each, winning the WCHA Forward of the Week distinction twice, being named All-WCHA Third-Team as a junior, and All-WCHA First-Team as a senior. In the 2020-21 season, Ford became the 75th Bowling Green Falcon to collect 100 points in his hockey career.

After he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus in Finance, he looked for a program that would allow him to study for a masters degree and help him to continue to steer towards a career in professional hockey. The school he ultimately chose was the University of North Dakota (UND), a program that reached the NCAA Tournament this season, the second time Ford has reached the NCAA Tournament in his career.

“(UND) is the Mecca of college hockey,” said Ford. I had the opportunity to choose from dozens of schools when I entered the transfer portal. The reputation of UND had my attention immediately. After meeting with the coaching staff I knew I would fit right in with their culture. Also, I was able to continue my education and work on my MBA.” In his lone year with the Fighting Hawks, Ford played in 37 games, dished out 24 assists, and scored four goals. He graduated from college hockey with a total of 142 points and was also a part of a Penrose Championship in his final college season.

Connor Ford’s closed a chapter of playing college hockey, but a new chapter will begin soon as Ford will be playing in the American Hockey League beginning soon as he recently came to terms with the Henderson Silver Knights, an affiliate team of the Las Vegas Golden Knights. He hopes to one day play in the NHL, and post his days as a player, he is hopeful to become a Certified Financial Planner that helps professional hockey players with their finances.

With just a few credits shy of an MBA and possibly just a short time away from playing professional hockey, Connor Ford has a lot to be excited for. His journey in hockey has taken him out of Western Pennsylvania around a decade ago, but he will never forget the role the Steel City helped to play in the beginning of his hockey playing days.