Ford is a hard-working two-way center with prowess in finding scoring areas. His skating lacks a high-end element and although he has some energy in his step, his short and choppy stride doesn’t always enable him to stand out consistently unless he is giving it his all. He works off his edges a lot, pivoting to change lanes and find options before driving a lane and acting on a quick look. His edge work is outstanding, displaying good crossovers, completing tight turns and decent speed and down the ice. In terms of his transitional game, he uses his speed and his hands well as he can out-maneuver the puck around traffic on the rush. When he is in the offensive zone, he loves going right for the net. He makes plays by simplifying his approach and taking the direct route to the puck. He seems to be the most productive when he is in the slot where he likes to jump on loose pucks and rebounds. Once he has control of the puck, he looks for opportune times to take a shot. But, when he is not shooting from the slot, he is far from accurate and often those shots are ill-advised as he has plenty of space to make a better play. He is always looking for opportunities to forecheck and is hungry for the puck, especially along the boards where he plays an aggressive game. He is defensively sound, engaging with both his body and stick to protect his own end.

– FCHockey’s 2020 NHL Draft Guide