Winnipeg Jets sign prospect Parker Ford to two-year entry-level deal

The Winnipeg Jets have announced the signing of college forward Parker Ford to a two-year entry-level contract. The deal will kick in for 2023-24, with Ford signing a tryout contract to finish the season with the Manitoba Moose.

Ford, 22, recently completed his season with Providence College, recording 26 and 27 points over the past two years, respectively. Serving as Providence’s captain this year, Ford finished his career with 94 points in 131 points. The 22-year-old made a name for himself as an energetic, buzzsaw type of forward. He had a respectable 19 goals and 43 points in the USHL and immediately made an impact with Providence once joining the team for the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season.

A member of USA’s 2020 World Junior Championship team, Ford joins former Providence teammates Brett Berard (New York Rangers) and Max Crozier (Tampa Bay Lightning) as recent NHL signees.

As Winnipeg has tried to remain relevant in the playoff picture the past few years, the team’s prospect pool has thinned out for the most part. The team has traded away its second-round pick for the next two years, so adding Ford – a developed, pro-ready prospect – to the fray gives them some extra flexibility. He’ll be utilized more in a bottom-six role, which could help to keep the costs down with players like Vladislav Namestnikov and Karson Kuhlman set to become UFAs, among others.