Ice Pilots' Ford Named CCM Vector ECHL Rookie of the Month

January 7, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. - Pensacola Ice Pilots goaltender Todd Ford is the CCM Vector ECHL Rookie of the Month for December.

Under contract to Toronto of the National Hockey League and in his first professional season, Ford made six appearances in December, going 5-0-0 with a goals-against average of 1.58 and a save percentage of .954. In the five games he started, Ford was 5-0-0 with a goals-against average of 1.81 and a save percentage of .948.

Selected in the third round (74th overall) by Toronto in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, the 20-year-old Ford, who is 8-2-0 in 12 appearances, ranks third among ECHL goaltenders with a goals-against average of 2.00 and ranks fifth in the league with a save percentage of .939. Ford was named to the American Conference roster for the 2005 Coors Light ECHL All-Star Game on Wednesday, and on Friday he was a runner-up for ECHL Goalie of the Month.

Ford began the month recording four consecutive wins against South Division opponents, making 27 saves in a 4-1 win over Mississippi on December 3 and a career-high 43 saves in a 3-2 win at Texas on December 11. He had 23 saves in a 3-1 win against Louisiana on December 18 and made 39 saves in a 6-4 win at Florida on December 22.

Relieving Frederic Cloutier in the first period against Florida on December 28, Ford stopped all 23 shots he faced in a 3-1 loss. He closed out the month making 31 saves in a 2-1 victory against Charlotte on December 30.

Ford played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with Vancouver, Swift Current, and Prince George, compiling a career record of 55-55-17.

Runners Up: Matt Hendricks, Florida (13 gp, 8g, 6a, 14 pts) and Martin St. Pierre, Greenville (13 gp, 5g, 8a, 13 pts).

Also Nominated: Vladimir Novak (Alaska), Paul Caponigri (Atlantic City), Ken Magowan (Augusta), Lee Falardeau (Charlotte), Brett Jaeger (Fresno), Brad Schell (Gwinnett), Jean Desrochers (Johnstown), Mark Rooneem (Louisiana), Mike Jarmuth (Mississippi), Mark Mullen (Pee Dee), Chris Beckford-Tseu (Peoria), Ryan Kinasewich (Reading), Andrew Canzanello (San Diego), Joe Tenute (South Carolina), Shawn Collymore (Toledo), Jeremy Swanson (Texas) and Brent Robinson (Trenton).

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