CHARLOTTE, NC—Charlotte Checkers general manager and head coach Derek Wilkinson announced today that former ECHL All-Star forward Matt Ford has been loaned to the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters. He began the season in Lake Erie’s training camp and was returned to the Checkers.
Ford, a 25-year-old native of West Hills, Calif., began last season with the Checkers before being called up to the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolfpack mid-season. He scored 13 goals in his first 14 games in Charlotte and tied for the overall team lead in goals with 21 despite only appearing in 28 games. He added 17 assists for 38 points and chipped in with two goals and three assists in six playoff games. In 25 games in Hartford, he tallied one goal and two assists.
The 6-foot-1, 207-pound winger was named to the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game where he netted three goals and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Prior to joining the Checkers, Ford played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin, helping the Badgers capture the 2006 NCAA Championship. He was an eighth round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
The Checkers have also announced that goaltender Kevin Kreutzer will join the team as emergency backup in Gwinnett tonight.
The Checkers (2-1-0) will travel to Gwinnett tonight before returning for the home opener this Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m., also against the Gladiators. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates for a post-game skate with the Checkers.
