Freshman defenseman Keegan Ford has left the men’s hockey team, a team release announced Tuesday.
Head coach Mike Eaves said that Ford decided to leave because he “wasn’t having much fun.”
“It wasn’t in his heart to stay any longer,” Eaves said. “He thought it was right for him to find another place to play. At this time, I think he is going to go back and play junior hockey and go from there.”
Ford has rejoined the Dubuque Fighting Saints, the USHL team with which he won a Clark Cup Championship in 2013, according to a Fighting Saints announcement.
“We welcome Keegan back as he was a big part of our organization for the last few years on the ice,” said Fighting Saints head coach and general manager Matt Shaw in the release. “We look forward to having him in a Saints uniform and helping him create another opportunity at the college level that he feels will be a good fit for him.”
Ford’s brother Jason, a freshman forward with the Badgers, remains on UW’s roster.
Badger hockey has been part of the Ford family since before the brothers were born. The Fords’ father, Pat Ford, played for the Badgers from 1984-'88 and served as an assistant coach for eight years, from 1994-2002.
Ford will end his time with UW with two assists after playing in all 12 games for the Badgers this season.
“We wish young Keegan the best of luck in the future,” Eaves said.
