In his fourth season as a Griffin, captain Matthew Ford posted 27 points (10-17—27) in 52 appearances.

52 GP, 10 goals, 17 assists, 27 points, -7 rating, 33 PIM

Unrestricted free agent

3 – Ford has spent the last three years as the Griffins’ captain. The 12th captain in team history, Ford is one of three captains to serve in the role for three or more years, joining Jeff Hoggan (4, 2012-16) and Travis Richards (3, 2001-04). He was an alternate captain when he helped Grand Rapids win the 2017 Calder Cup and has amassed 124 points (57-67—124) in 236 Griffins games.

4 – Ford began his 12th pro year by notching a career high-tying four points behind two goals and two assists in Grand Rapids’ 8-5 season-opening win at Chicago on Oct. 5. Ford has netted four points in a single game three other times: one goal and three assists with the Oklahoma City Barons on April 11, 2015 at Chicago; two goals and two assists with the Oklahoma City Barons on Feb. 28, 2014 vs. Rockford; and three goals and one assist with the Adirondack Phantoms on April 7, 2012 at Albany.

4 – Ford led all players with four goals during the AHL All-Star Challenge on Jan. 27 in Southern California, scoring in each of the Central Division’s games while adding an assist, to tie Matt Lorito (2017-18) for the most career goals scored by a Griffin in AHL All-Star competition. The Griffins' captain and Los Angeles native made his all-star debut after being chosen by the AHL as the captain for the Western Conference all-stars in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service. Ford was the fourth Griffin to be chosen as a playing captain for an AHL All-Star Classic, joining Jeff Hoggan (2016, West), Kip Miller (2007, PlanetUSA) and Travis Richards (2004, PlanetUSA).

7 – The 6-foot-1, 205-pound winger netted his ninth and 10th goals of the year on Feb. 15 at Chicago and has posted 10 or more tallies in seven consecutive campaigns. His 10 goals tied for fifth on the club while his 27 points tied for third. Ford’s three multi-goal outings were his most since producing three during 2015-16 with Bakersfield.

23 – Accumulating four more power play goals this season, which tied for sixth on the roster, Ford has totaled 23 career PPG as a Griffin to tie Matt Puempel for ninth all time in team history. Perhaps his most dramatic power play goal this season came on Jan. 24 vs. San Diego when he scored 1:06 into overtime on a 5-on-3 to give Grand Rapids a 4-3 win that extended the club’s season-high point streak to eight games.

185 – Skating in his 185th game as a Griffin during the season opener on Oct. 5 at Chicago, Ford became the 41st player in team history to accumulate 100 career points with Grand Rapids. He matched a career high with four points in the game and his primary assist on Givani Smith’s power play goal at 11:22 of the third period marked his 100th point. A total of 44 skaters in Griffins history have registered 100 or more career points.

200 – Ford couldn’t have picked a more opportune time to ring up his 200th career AHL goal as he scored with 1:27 remaining in regulation on Dec. 11 at San Diego to cap Grand Rapids’ rally from being two goals down. He skated in his 200th game as a Griffin on Nov. 29 vs. Manitoba.

700 – Ford commemorated his 700th AHL game on Jan. 17 by netting a power play goal and adding an assist in a 4-1 victory over Rockford at Van Andel Arena. Earlier in the season, Ford skated in his 700th contest as a professional in a 3-0 defeat at Texas on Oct. 19. The former Wisconsin Badger scored two goals in two shots during his pro debut with the ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers on Oct. 18, 2008 at Florida, and made his AHL debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack on Nov. 7, 2008 at Worcester.

MLive – Matthew Ford outscores everyone at AHL All-Star Classic

MLive – Matthew Ford of Griffins named captain of AHL All-Star Classic

Radio interview on ESPN 96.1’s Big Drew and Jim

Photo at top by Sam Iannamico/Griffins