ECHL: An Interview with Adirondack Thunder Defenseman Taylor Ford

The Adirondack Thunder recently announced the signing of Taylor Ford, a Quebec native. Like any kid in Canada, hockey was in his blood from the moment he was born, but Ford’s love of the game didn’t begin on the ice; it began in the living room and on the streets of LaSalle, Quebec.

“Like any other Canadian, I pretty much grew up with a stick in my hands and skates on my feet. My Dad played, so my love for the game started watching him play a bit and watching hockey on TV. I played ball hockey every day, and that passion just hasn’t really stopped- Ford on how he got into the game of hockey

The 27-year-old defenseman didn’t take the traditional route to the ECHL, as he would play four seasons in the QMJHL and five seasons in USports before deciding to go pro. In 243 games in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, he would put up 13 goals and 44 assists for 57 points and would be the Captain of the Mooseheads in his second season in the Q. Once his time in the Q was over, Ford played five seasons in USports at McGill University where he put up four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 115 games, and would serve as the Captain of the Redbirds in his final two seasons.

 “I had an opportunity to play professionally right out of junior. I didn’t think I was ready at the time, too young and too inexperienced. Instead, I decided to go to school, and I matured both as a hockey player and a person. I feel like I’ve never been more ready to make that next step now, mostly thanks to everything I learned at McGill”- Taylor Ford on staying in school after Juniors

Heading into the 2024-25 season and his first year pro, the Quebec native is excited for his first season pro and mentions that he hasn’t visit the area. When asked about how the opportunity came along, Ford mentioned that he talked to head coach Pete MacArthur and exchanged some texts with former Thunder defenseman Connor Blake last season about what it was like plating there.

 “A new challenge. I’m not entirely sure what to expect, and I think that’s a good thing. I want to try and be ready for whatever is thrown at me, and I feel like I will be. I’m also excited to get to know the fanbase. From what I hear, we have passionate fans, which always makes it a lot of fun.”- Ford on joinng the Adirondack Thunder