Now healthy, Parker Ford is thriving in his second season in Sioux City

Parker Ford (Courtesy Photo)

In the back of Parker Ford’s mind is a fact that motivates him to keep working hard.

The 18-year-old Sioux City Musketeers center tries not to think about it, though. He’s more focused on helping his club capture the Clark Cup. But it’s there, rattling around in his head, the fact that his name wasn’t called at the 2018 National Hockey League draft.

“You want to play in the NHL,” Ford said. “It’s where everyone at this point of hockey wants to be. That’s why we play the game.”

But the Wakefield, R.I., native is quick to add another statement about not being selected.