FRIENDSHIP WINS: FORMER COLLEGE CHAMPS FINALLY REUNITED WITH GRIFFINS

Dec. 21, 2016

By Pete Wallner, MLive
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GRAND RAPIDS - When Ben Street made a recruiting trip to the University of Wisconsin - a foreign land for an 18-year-old from Coquitlam, British Columbia, - it was a sophomore from California, Matt Ford, who guided him around campus.

Fast forward 11 years later and an adult version of that scenario played out this summer when Ford made another pitch, to play together on the Grand Rapids Griffins. This time there was a lot more to consider - careers, families and finances among them.

But there was also friendship and an opportunity that might never happen again. It was a full-circle thing more than 10 years of hockey in the making.

Plus, a reunion ensured they wouldn't pound on each other as opponents.

"We always joked and laughed - not only us, but our wives - that it'd be great if someday we could play in the same place," Ford said. "And then things just kind of collided this year."

They are now part of a Griffins team that is currently second in the Central Division heading into Wednesday's showdown with first-place Milwaukee at Van Andel Arena. Coach Todd Nelson thought so much of the acquisitions, he made both alternate captains.

Over the years, Ford and Street battled on the ice and became closer off it. The stood up at each other's wedding. They bought houses a block apart in Chicago. And, just recently, they became parents for the first time with children five months apart.

A lot of hockey has gone on since their Wisconsin days - Street has played with five organizations and Ford with eight (and nine cities) - but that's part of what Nelson liked about them.

"Both are high-character guys that provide a veteran presence and have a history of being highly-productive hockey players," he said.

It was Ford who recommended Street to Nelson.

"We knew they were close friends," Nelson said.

PRESSURE FROM GET-GO IN WISCONSIN

Back in 2005, when Street joined Ford in Wisconsin, they were thrown into a season of high expectations. The Badgers, with talented young players like Joe Pavelski and goaltender Brian Elliott, were ranked in the top 10 to start the season, and it built from there.

"I was very wet behind the ears," Street said. "But that was the best group of guys I've ever known in hockey. It's something you try and find on different teams and I've never been able to emulate that."

The Badgers beat Boston College in the finals, held in Milwaukee, for their sixth title and first since 1990. On the season, Street chipped in 10 goals and 15 points while Ford had five goals and seven points.

They played three years together and, while never roommates, became good friends.

In the ensuing years, hockey took them all over the place.

TWO HOCKEY JOURNEYS

Street, undrafted, signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and was the AHL's rookie of the year in 2010-11 with Wilkes-Barre-Scranton. He then bounced between the AHL and NHL with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche - appearing in 29 NHL games with three assists.

Last season a torn pectoral muscle spoiled a promising season in San Antonio. He had seven goals and 21 points in 15 games along with seven games with the Avalanche.

Ford, meanwhile, was drafted in the eighth round by the Chicago Blackhawks but never played in the NHL. His AHL resume, however, is impressive with 149 goals and 306 points in 480 games heading into this season.

They squared off countless times in the AHL and it wasn't friendly.

"Fordo asked me to fight every single time we played each other," Street said.

"Kinda joking, kinda serious," Ford added. "Not only would we play each other on rival teams, but our lines would be matched up."

Who had the biggest hit?

"Oh, he always hit me really hard," Ford said. "I think that's why I always asked him to fight."

THEIR PATHS NARROW

In the offseason, they worked out together and their friendship grew. About two years ago each bought a home about a block apart in Chicago's West Loop area. It made sense since their wives were from the general area.

Back on the ice, Ford left with Oklahoma City as the franchise transferred to Bakersfield for the 2015-16 season. It was a chance to play in his home state. Meanwhile, Nelson took over as coach of the Griffins.

After leading the Condors in scoring last season (27-24-51), Ford was a free agent. He liked Nelson and the fit with the Griffins, and the feeling was mutual. Once Street decided to leave the Colorado organization and Grand Rapids needed insurance at center, the final pieces began to fall into place.

"I knew Nellie was a good coach to play for based on what Matt had said and his reputation," Street said. "Plus, I figured after being injured the past two years, I'd have to start in the minors and Detroit seemed like perfect fit."

ADJUSTMENTS IN GRAND RAPIDS

It hasn't been a perfect season on the ice so far for either. Ford, 32, has battled injuries, including an ankle most recently, and has played in just 11 games with two goals and nine points.

The 29-year-old Street, meanwhile, was punctured in the neck by a skate in a scary injury in the preseason with Detroit that cost him the start of the season in Grand Rapids. He's come on of late with five goals and 19 points in 22 games.

Interestingly, they haven't been paired on a line yet. But they have played together on the penalty kill.

Off the ice, it couldn't be much better. They rented houses in Grand Rapids - about a half-mile apart, naturally - and Ford and his wife welcomed their first child just over five months ago, a boy named Bennett.

"Ben thinks it's named after him, but I don't want to give him that satisfaction," Ford said with a smile.

Street, healed and grateful after the neck injury, became a father for the first time two weeks ago - a girl named Scotty.

The Griffins, meanwhile, hope history repeats and what the two did their first year together with the Badgers can replay this season in the Calder Cup playoffs.

After that, who knows? Street has a one-year contract and Ford is signed on for two.

"We're enjoying it but it goes by quick," Ford said. "Seems like yesterday we were in college together. You are the young guy and then all of a sudden you are getting the old guy jokes."