Scott Ford and Jake Allen defend against the Rockford IceHogs during a pre-season game. (Photo: TSNPhotography)

Last night at the annual pre-season season ticket holder party Coach Dave Allison named Scott Ford the new captain of the Peoria Rivermen. Ford is a 32-year-old, 6’3 defenseman who has made hard hits and shot blocking his specialty. This past summer the Blues contacted him immediately after free agency began and offered Ford a one year, two-way contract. Ford was undrafted and has never played an NHL game. Coincidentally, the last time he held an NHL contract was in 2004-05 with the San Jose Sharks during the last lockout.

Last year Ford was captain of the rival Milwaukee Admirals where he had also played the three years previous. To say he has caused some havoc for the Rivermen over the years is giant understatement. As Rivermen radio voice Brendan Burke said, the team is improved just by the fact that he’s with us and no longer against us. Here you can read or watch Ford talk about his new appointment.

Former Rivermen captain Adam Cracknell and newcomer Taylor Chorney were bestowed with ‘A’s’ on Tuesday night as well.

And as per usual with this team, I fully the understand why behind this move, it’s just that I don’t particularly like it. But it is what it is and more likely than not, I’ll come around to it eventually. All that being said, naming Scott Ford captain was the right choice for the team. And in the end, I guess that’s what matters most.