Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

In Minnesota we often use the term "hockey guy" to describe someone who is knowledgeable, passionate and dedicated to our native sport.  Barry Ford matches that description perfectly, and those words don't just describe his love for hockey, but also how he feels about his family, his country and his community of Coon Rapids that he's called home for the last 35+ years.

Barry got his start coaching in 1971 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Minneapolis Marshall high school, and he never stopped coaching.  He continued to make his mark by leading kids at all levels in the Coon Rapids and Elk River areas, as well as serving as an assistant coach at Totino-Grace high school from 1987-1989.  Mr. Ford was also an active leader in the Coon Rapids booster club and was instrumental in the construction of new locker rooms at Cook Ice Arena.

After successful stints as head coach for both the Coon Rapids PeeWee and Bantam A teams, Ford moved to the administrative side of the game.  Serviing as a counselor for the national summer development camps in the late 1980's and early 1990's, he became District 10 head coach and held among many positions: District 10 Select 15 coach/general manager, District 10 assistant director, Minnkota ACE administrator and chairman of the Ted Brill Great 8 High School Festival.  From 2001-2004, Ford served as the Minnesota Hockey head coach and then spent the next 8 years as the Minnesota Hockey Vice President of Hockey Operations.

Ford has lived a life of hockey, placing it behind only his beloved family.  Barry has devoted 42+ years of his life to the game with a smile on his face, and a determined work ethic.  Ford has committed his career to helping hockey players reach their highest potential and he has had a profound influence on the game, including those with whom he has worked at Minnesota Hockey.