Aaron Ward (hockey)
Encyclopedia
Aaron Ward is a Canadian
former professional ice hockey
defenceman and current hockey analyst on TSN
. He won the Stanley Cup
three times.
, a suburb of Ottawa
, as a youth. Ward played junior hockey for the Nepean Raiders
of the Central Junior A Hockey League
, before accepting a scholarship at the University of Michigan
. After one season at Michigan, he was drafted fifth-overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
. Before his playing days at Michigan was over, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings
, signing with the club in 1993. He was assigned to the Red Wings' affiliate Adirondack Red Wings
for the 1993–94 season, where he spent the bulk of the next three seasons. He made his NHL debut in 1993–94, but only became a regular NHL player in the 1996–97 season. Although in his debut in 1993–94, he scored the first goal at the Arrowhead Pond on October 8, 1993.
Since 1993–94, Ward has played over 600 career NHL games and been a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams, two while playing for the Detroit Red Wings
in 1997, 1998 and one with the Carolina Hurricanes
in 2006. In 2006, Ward scored the first goal in game seven of the Stanley Cup finals to help his team win the Cup. After the 2006 season, Ward became an unrestricted free agent and he signed with the New York Rangers
. He joined fellow 2006 Cup winner Matt Cullen
as a free agent signed by the Rangers. His tenure as a Ranger however was short-lived, during the 2006–07 season among rumors of tension between him and then captain Jaromír Jágr
, Ward found himself traded to the Boston Bruins
. While with Boston, Ward added solid defense and much-needed veteran leadership. He was often paired up with Zdeno Chara
on Boston's top defensive pair.
Prior to the 2009-10 season on July 24, 2009, Ward was re-acquired by Carolina exchange for forward Patrick Eaves
and a 4th round draft pick in 2010. Ward surprisingly struggled in his return with the Hurricanes and on March 3, 2010, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Justin Pogge
and a 4th round pick.
Ward announced his retirement from professional hockey after 13 NHL seasons on August 24, 2010.
Ward now serves as a analyst and personality on TSN.
, Phil Kessel
, Andrew Alberts
, Milan Lučić
, Mark Stuart and Dennis Wideman
joined Ward in helping raise $25,000. A second 'Cuts for a Cause' event took place in April 2009 with the group raising $32,000 for the Boston Bruins Foundation and MassGeneral Hospital for Children's Pediatric Oncology Unit. This year a total of thirteen members of the Bruins roster participated in the head shaving contest, as well as on-air personalities Fred Toucher and Adolfo "baby" Gonzalez.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
former professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman and current hockey analyst on TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
. He won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
three times.
Playing career
Born in Windsor, Ontario, Ward moved with his family to Blackburn Hamlet, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, a suburb of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, as a youth. Ward played junior hockey for the Nepean Raiders
Nepean Raiders
The Nepean Raiders are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team from Nepean, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. The town of Nepean was granted expansion after the Cornwall Royals and the Hull Hawks left the CJHL for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
of the Central Junior A Hockey League
Central Junior A Hockey League
The Central Canada Hockey League is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ottawa District Hockey Association and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League...
, before accepting a scholarship at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. After one season at Michigan, he was drafted fifth-overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The draft was famous for the controversy surrounding star first overall draft pick, touted by some observers to be The Next One, Eric Lindros, who was drafted by the...
. Before his playing days at Michigan was over, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, signing with the club in 1993. He was assigned to the Red Wings' affiliate Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack Red Wings
The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
for the 1993–94 season, where he spent the bulk of the next three seasons. He made his NHL debut in 1993–94, but only became a regular NHL player in the 1996–97 season. Although in his debut in 1993–94, he scored the first goal at the Arrowhead Pond on October 8, 1993.
Since 1993–94, Ward has played over 600 career NHL games and been a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams, two while playing for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in 1997, 1998 and one with the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
in 2006. In 2006, Ward scored the first goal in game seven of the Stanley Cup finals to help his team win the Cup. After the 2006 season, Ward became an unrestricted free agent and he signed with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. He joined fellow 2006 Cup winner Matt Cullen
Matt Cullen
Matthew David Cullen is a professional ice hockey center, who currently is an alternate captain of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL.-Playing career:...
as a free agent signed by the Rangers. His tenure as a Ranger however was short-lived, during the 2006–07 season among rumors of tension between him and then captain Jaromír Jágr
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...
, Ward found himself traded to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
. While with Boston, Ward added solid defense and much-needed veteran leadership. He was often paired up with Zdeno Chara
Zdeno Chára
Zdeno Chára is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenseman. He is the captain of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and won the Norris Trophy while playing for them in 2008–09. At 6 ft 9 , he is the tallest player ever to play in the NHL...
on Boston's top defensive pair.
Prior to the 2009-10 season on July 24, 2009, Ward was re-acquired by Carolina exchange for forward Patrick Eaves
Patrick Eaves
Patrick Campbell Eaves is a professional ice hockey forward, currently a member of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Born in Calgary and raised in the United States, Patrick holds Canadian and American citizenship and has represented the United States in international ice hockey...
and a 4th round draft pick in 2010. Ward surprisingly struggled in his return with the Hurricanes and on March 3, 2010, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Justin Pogge
Justin Pogge
Justin Pogge is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Pirates are the top affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes...
and a 4th round pick.
Ward announced his retirement from professional hockey after 13 NHL seasons on August 24, 2010.
Ward now serves as a analyst and personality on TSN.
Trades and transactions
- June 9, 1991, Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1st round (5th overall) in 1991.
- June 11, 1993, Traded by the Winnipeg Jets along with a 4th round selection to the Detroit Red Wings for Paul YsebaertPaul YsebaertPaul Robert Ysebaert is a former professional ice hockey player. During his fourteen years playing career in the National Hockey League, Ysebaert played left wing for the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Tampa Bay Lightning...
. - July 9, 2001, Traded by the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
to the Carolina Hurricanes for a future second round selection. - July 3, 2006, Signed with the New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
as a free agent. - February 27, 2007, Traded by the New York Rangers to the Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for Paul MaraPaul MaraPaul Mara is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently an unrestricted free agent of the National Hockey League ....
. - May 22, 2008, Signed a 2 year contract with the Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
. - July 24, 2009, Traded by the Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
to the Carolina HurricanesCarolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
for winger Patrick EavesPatrick EavesPatrick Campbell Eaves is a professional ice hockey forward, currently a member of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Born in Calgary and raised in the United States, Patrick holds Canadian and American citizenship and has represented the United States in international ice hockey...
and a fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. - December 14, 2009, waived by the Carolina HurricanesCarolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
. - March 3, 2010, traded by the Carolina HurricanesCarolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
to the Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a trade for Justin PoggeJustin PoggeJustin Pogge is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Pirates are the top affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes...
and a 2010 4th round pick.
Cuts for a Cause
In March 2008, Ward, in conjunction with the Toucher and Rich radio program (WBCN 104.1) created a head-shaving charity event called 'Cuts for a Cause'. Seven players from the Boston Bruins shaved their heads to raise money to benefit the MassGeneral Hospital for Children. Patrice BergeronPatrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
, Phil Kessel
Phil Kessel
Philip Joseph Kessel, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey forward, and an alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Kessel is a product of USA Hockey's National Development Team and became that program's all-time leader for goals and points in his final...
, Andrew Alberts
Andrew Alberts
Andrew James Alberts is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He has additionally played in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes...
, Milan Lučić
Milan Lucic
Milan Lucic is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger of Serbian origin currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League for three seasons and captured a Memorial Cup, while being named...
, Mark Stuart and Dennis Wideman
Dennis Wideman
Dennis Earl Wideman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
joined Ward in helping raise $25,000. A second 'Cuts for a Cause' event took place in April 2009 with the group raising $32,000 for the Boston Bruins Foundation and MassGeneral Hospital for Children's Pediatric Oncology Unit. This year a total of thirteen members of the Bruins roster participated in the head shaving contest, as well as on-air personalities Fred Toucher and Adolfo "baby" Gonzalez.
Big Ten Analyst
In the spring of 2010, he was the NHL on Versus analyst for the Stanley Cup playoffs and since then joined the Big Ten Network as the hockey analyst.Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1988–89 | Nepean Raiders Nepean Raiders The Nepean Raiders are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team from Nepean, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. The town of Nepean was granted expansion after the Cornwall Royals and the Hull Hawks left the CJHL for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League... |
CJAHL Central Junior A Hockey League The Central Canada Hockey League is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ottawa District Hockey Association and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League... |
54 | 1 | 14 | 15 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | University of Michigan Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season... |
CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... |
46 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 126 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | University of Michigan | CCHA | 42 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | University of Michigan | CCHA | 30 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
58 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 87 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 1993–94 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 76 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 87 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 74 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 133 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 1996–97 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 49 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 52 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | ||
| 1997–98 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 52 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 60 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 52 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1999–00 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 36 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 73 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 79 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 74 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 22 | ||
| 2002–03 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 77 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 49 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Ingolstadt ERC | DEL | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 16 | ||
| 2005–06 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 71 | 6 | 19 | 25 | 62 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 18 | ||
| 2006–07 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 60 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 20 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 65 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 54 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Boston Bruins | NHL | 65 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 44 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 60 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Anaheim Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 839 | 44 | 107 | 151 | 736 | 95 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 73 | ||||