Parker is a high energy forward who parlayed a great start to his Freshman year on to a spot on Team USA’s World Junior Team. He was bypassed in last year’s NHL Draft, but we feel he will hear his name called before the 4th Round is over in Montreal this June.
Parker Ford (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
(1) Brain – We feel Parker gets noticed for his speed, but when it comes right down to it Parker is a smart player. Providence’s Nate Leaman is a very demanding coach. His players need to process the game quickly and be in the correct position to earn their ice time. Well, Parker has come in to the PC system and done very well. As the low forward he is very reliable in the defensive zone. He initiates battles from net side positioning and does not get trapped along the wall. He does an excellent job of moving the puck to the soft areas for quick transition and then using his speed to jump into the play. He displays excellent strength and awareness when the opposing point men have the puck or when they activate into a high cycle by not puck watching or getting sucked into bad switches. Offensively Parker is at his best when he keeps it simple, but he consistently displays the ability to read the defenders gaps and back pressure.
(2) Vision & Poise – He sees the ice well and can make plays through the neutral zone or during an offensive zone cycle. His poise is shown by not firing blind hope passes into the scoring areas and creating transition for the other team.
(3) Feet – Parker is fast in every direction. He explosively comes out of turns and changes direction immediately. He has a great first step, lateral mobility and has a powerful cross under.
(4) Compete & Effort – We only note extremes and this guy works his ass off.
(5) Contact or Physicality – Do not tell Parker that he does not have the frame of a traditional power forward. He initiates contact with the intent of taking your ice. He is a bull along the walls and wins battles all over the ice. He boxes out well and protects his house. In the offensive zone he gets to the dirty areas and will score on rebounds.
(6) Release – He has a quick release, handles poor passes well and most importantly Parker hits the net.
(7) One Timer Ability – Although Parker has a hard shot, we do not consider him a shooter. He does have the ability to adjust his body very quickly on rebounds or when receiving passes while driving the net. He will score goals on hard passes that travel through the Royal Road on cross body one timers.
(8) Body Language – Parker carries himself like a leader.
(9) Special Teams Potential – His work ethic and commitment to details make him a natural penalty killer. He has a very active stick and maintains shooting lanes. He is willing to eat shots and does not make a big deal out of having a slapper hit him in the shin pads. He expects to block the shot, kill the clock and kill the penalty. His willingness to battle and quick hands make him a solid net front second power play option.
(10) Intangibles – Parker keeps improving every year. He has gone from a player we considered as a pure speed guy to a player who we feel processes the game very well. Nate Leaman’s top ice time earners need to be smart and pay attention to details. Parker earns his ice time.
Photo Credit: Providence College