Cam Ward (ice hockey)

Cam Ward
Ward during his time with the Hurricanes on January 29, 2011
Born (1984-02-29) February 29, 1984
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Carolina Hurricanes
Chicago Blackhawks
National team  Canada
NHL draft 25th overall, 2002
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career 2004–2019

Cameron Kenneth Ward (born February 29, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ward is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Hurricanes in 2006. He is also a one-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2006 and a one-time All-Star, being named one in 2011.

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Ward played parts of four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the Rebels. He was named to the WHL East First All-Star Team and the CHL First Team All-Star. He was also a two-time winner of the Del Wilson Trophy for being the WHL's best goaltender and was the winner of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy for WHL's Player of the Year.[1]

He was drafted 25th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2002 NHL entry draft. On May 13, 2004, Ward signed a multi-year entry-level contract to join the Hurricanes.[2] He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Lowell Lock Monsters. On October 5, 2005, the Hurricanes called him up and Ward made his NHL debut, replacing the injured Martin Gerber and stopping 10 of 11 shots in a 5–2 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[3] Two days later on October 7, he stopped 28 of 30 shots in a 3–2 shootout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins to earn his first NHL victory.[4] On November 9, 2006, Ward stopped all 20 shots he faced in a 5–0 win against the Washington Capitals to record his first NHL shutout.[5] On May 31, 2007, Ward signed a three-year, $8 million contract to stay with the Hurricanes.[6] On September 30, 2009, Ward signed a six-year, $37.8-million contract to stay with the Hurricanes.[7] On December 26, 2011, Ward was able to score an empty-net goal against the New Jersey Devils, becoming only the tenth goaltender in NHL history to score a goal.[8] He helped the Hurricanes when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres. They went on to defeat the Edmonton Oilers four games to three in the Final to win the first Stanley Cup in Hurricanes franchise history.[9] On January 29, 2011, Ward was selected 1st overall by Hurricanes teammate Eric Staal to play in his first All-Star game.[10]

On July 1, 2018, Ward left the Hurricanes after fourteen seasons and signed a one-year, $3 million contract to join the Chicago Blackhawks.[11] He played one season with the Blackhawks, posting a 16–12–4 record with a 3.67 goals against average and a .897 save percentage.

On August 28, 2019, Ward signed a one-day contract with the Hurricanes and then announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.[12]

Personal life

Ward was raised as a Christian and his family baptized him at 8 years old in an outdoor lake.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Ward wins WHL's top player, goalie awards". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Hurricanes Agree to Terms With Goaltenders Cam Ward". Carolina Hurricanes. Archived from the original on May 26, 2004. Retrieved March 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ↑ "Gerber out, rookie Ward in goal for Hurricanes". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Ward, Hurricanes Shut Down Crosby". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Cole, Canes roll past Capitals". Star-News. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Hurricanes reward Cam Ward". CBC Sports. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Canes, Ward Agree to Six-Year Contract". Carolina Hurricanes. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ↑ "Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward scores bizarre empty-net goal in 4-2 win over Devils". Global News. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Seeds of Hurricanes' Stanley Cup success were sown in a summer of uncertainty". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ "'Canes' Ward No. 1 All-Star". Star-News. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Cam Ward leaves Hurricanes for one-year deal with Blackhawks". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Cam Ward signs one-day contract with Carolina, retires as a Hurricane". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Goalie packs the pews continued". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 30, 2026.

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