Cam Ward | |||
---|---|---|---|
Born | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada | February 29, 1984||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
Position | Goaltender | ||
Caught | Left | ||
Played for | |||
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 the majority of his 15-year professional career for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played his final season for the Chicago Blackhawks before retiring in 2019.
Ward was born in Saskatoon, growing up there and in Sherwood Park, Alberta. During his three-year junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Red Deer Rebels, he was selected 25th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. After a season with the Hurricanes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, he won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. He became the first starting goaltender to win the Stanley Cup as a rookie since Patrick Roy in 1986. [1]
Ward spent his junior career with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL). After appearing in one game for the Rebels in 2000–01, Ward played three full seasons with the team from 2001–2004, leading them to the WHL finals twice. Ward was drafted 25th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Upon graduating from the WHL, Ward signed a multi-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes on May 13, 2004. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he was assigned to Carolina's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, for the season.
Joining the Hurricanes for the 2005–06 NHL season, Ward largely served in a backup role to Swiss goalie Martin Gerber during the regular season. He made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, replacing Gerber after the starter injured his hamstring. He saved 10 of 11 shots in the third period, as the Hurricanes lost 5–2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. [2] He made his first NHL start the following game two days later in the club's home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ward turned aside Mario Lemieux, Žigmund Pálffy and Sidney Crosby in a shootout, as the Hurricanes won 3–2. [3] Ward completed his NHL rookie season with 14 wins and 8 losses, along with a 3.68 goals against average.
In the opening round of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Hurricanes faced a two-win deficit against the Montreal Canadiens. With Gerber struggling in the series, Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette turned to Ward. The goaltending switch prompted Carolina to a series comeback, advancing to the second round against the New Jersey Devils, where he played against his personal hero, Martin Brodeur. [4] After eliminating the Devils, the Hurricanes defeated the Buffalo Sabres in seven games. Facing the Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, he helped the Hurricanes win the franchise's first Stanley Cup. In doing so, he became the first rookie goaltender to lead his team to the Stanley Cup as a starter since Patrick Roy in 1986. [1] Against Edmonton, he also became the first rookie goaltender to both play and record a shutout in the Finals since Roy. He tied the rookie record for wins in the playoffs (15), previously held by Roy and Ron Hextall, and became the first rookie goalie to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since Hextall in 1987. [5]
After his heroics in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ward became the Hurricanes starting goaltender for the 2006–07 season. He recorded season stats of 30–21–6 and 37–25–5 in the 2006–07 and 2007–08 campaigns, respectively. The Hurricanes would miss the playoffs both years. The Hurricanes, however, would reach the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2008–09 season before bowing out to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Ward went 8–10 with a 2.67 GAA during the playoffs.
Ward and the Hurricanes struggled to begin the 2009–10 season, as Ward went 2–9–3 to start the campaign. On November 8, 2009, in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ward was injured when he was cut on the leg by the skate of opposing forward Rick Nash. [6] As Ward was helped into the dressing room, he left a trail of blood on the ice. [6] After returning from his injury, Ward finished the season with an 18–23–5 record, a 2.69 GAA and .916 save percentage as the Hurricanes failed to qualify for the post-season.
Ward was selected to participate in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, along with teammates Eric Staal, Jamie McBain, and Jeff Skinner. [7] Ward was the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game Fantasy Draft, selected by All-Star Game captain, Eric Staal. [7]
Ward was credited with an empty-net goal against the New Jersey Devils on December 26, 2011, when a misplaced pass from Ilya Kovalchuk found its way into the empty goal after a rebound from Ward. He is the tenth goalie in NHL history to do this. [8]
Ward recorded his 500th game with the Carolina Hurricanes on February 27, 2015. [9]
During the offseason, Ward re-signed with the Hurricanes to a two-year, $6.6 million contract on June 16, 2016. [10]
On March 22, 2018, during a game against the Arizona Coyotes, the puck got stuck in his skate without his knowledge. His skates crossed the goal line when he went back into the net, ultimately resulting in an own goal. [11] Despite this, the Hurricanes ended up winning that game 6–5. [12]
On July 1, 2018, Ward signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. [13] He went 16–12–4 sporting a career worst 3.67 GAA, 897SV% in 33 appearances in the 2018–19 season.
On August 28, 2019, Ward retired from professional hockey and signed a one-day contract with the Hurricanes. [14] He retired as the Hurricanes' franchise leaders in wins (318) and shutouts (27). [15]
Ward at the 2008 World Championships | ||
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing Canada | ||
Ice hockey | ||
World Championships | ||
2007 Moscow | ||
2008 Halifax/Quebec City |
Ward's performance in his NHL rookie season earned him consideration on a list of 81 candidates to play for Team Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics. [16] He was one of nine goalies selected; he was not, however, named to the Canadian squad. Additionally, Ward was named a part of the summer camp roster for Team Canada in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, but did not make the final roster cut. [17]
Ward was a member of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in a 4–2 win against Finland in Moscow, as well as a member of the team that won silver at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in a 5–4 loss to Russia.
Born in St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, Ward is the second child of Ken and Laurel Ward. He grew up in the Lakeridge neighbourhood of Saskatoon and the Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park, Alberta, spending his adolescent years in the latter. [18] [19]
Ward is a fan of his native province's team the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). [20] On March 25, 2007, Ward shaved his head for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. [21]
Ward and his wife Cody have a son and a daughter. [22]
Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
2000–01 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 1.000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2001–02 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 46 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 2694 | 102 | 1 | 2.27 | .911 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 1502 | 53 | 2 | 2.11 | .920 | ||
2002–03 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 57 | 40 | 13 | 3 | 3368 | 118 | 5 | 2.10 | .920 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 1407 | 49 | 3 | 2.08 | .919 | ||
2003–04 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 56 | 31 | 16 | 8 | 3338 | 114 | 4 | 2.05 | .926 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 1200 | 37 | 3 | 1.85 | .945 | ||
2004–05 | Lowell Lock Monsters | AHL | 50 | 27 | 17 | 3 | 2829 | 94 | 6 | 1.99 | .937 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 664 | 28 | 2 | 2.53 | .918 | ||
2005–06 | Lowell Lock Monsters | AHL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 5 | 0 | 2.54 | .915 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2005–06 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 28 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 1484 | 91 | 0 | 3.68 | .882 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 1320 | 47 | 2 | 2.14 | .920 | ||
2006–07 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 60 | 30 | 21 | 6 | 3422 | 167 | 2 | 2.93 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2007–08 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 69 | 37 | 25 | 5 | 3930 | 180 | 4 | 2.75 | .904 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2008–09 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 68 | 39 | 23 | 5 | 3928 | 160 | 6 | 2.44 | .916 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 1101 | 49 | 2 | 2.67 | .915 | ||
2009–10 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 47 | 18 | 23 | 5 | 2651 | 119 | 0 | 2.69 | .916 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2010–11 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 74 | 37 | 26 | 10 | 4318 | 184 | 4 | 2.56 | .923 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2011–12 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 68 | 30 | 23 | 13 | 3988 | 182 | 5 | 2.74 | .915 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2012–13 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 17 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 929 | 44 | 0 | 2.84 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2013–14 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 30 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 1645 | 84 | 0 | 3.06 | .898 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2013–14 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 119 | 4 | 0 | 2.02 | .937 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2014–15 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 51 | 22 | 24 | 5 | 3026 | 121 | 1 | 2.40 | .910 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2015–16 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 52 | 23 | 17 | 10 | 3039 | 122 | 1 | 2.41 | .909 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2016–17 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 61 | 26 | 22 | 12 | 3618 | 162 | 2 | 2.69 | .905 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2017–18 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 43 | 23 | 14 | 4 | 2460 | 112 | 2 | 2.73 | .906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2018–19 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 33 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 1883 | 115 | 0 | 3.67 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
NHL totals | 701 | 334 | 256 | 88 | 40,319 | 1,843 | 27 | 2.74 | .908 | 41 | 23 | 18 | 2,421 | 96 | 4 | 2.38 | .917 |
Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T/OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Canada | WC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 11 | 0 | 2.20 | .915 | ||
2008 | Canada | WC | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 302 | 13 | 0 | 2.58 | .900 | ||
2012 | Canada | WC | 5th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 360 | 17 | 0 | 2.83 | .906 | |
Senior totals | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 964 | 41 | 0 | 2.55 | .907 |
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, and play their home games at the Lenovo Center.
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which opened in 2016. Kris Knoblauch is the head coach as of November 12, 2023, and Stan Bowman was named general manager on July 24, 2024. The Oilers are one of two NHL franchises based in Alberta, the other being the Calgary Flames. Their proximity has led to a fierce rivalry known as the "Battle of Alberta".
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 54 times to 47 players since the 1964–65 NHL season. Each year, at the conclusion of the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals, members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote to elect the player deserving of the trophy. The trophy is handed out by the NHL Commissioner before the presentation of the Stanley Cup and only the winner is announced, in contrast to most of the other NHL awards which name three finalists and are presented at a ceremony. Vote tallies for the Conn Smythe Trophy were released starting in 2017.
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a Canadian–American former professional ice hockey goaltender and current team executive. He played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 21 of them for the New Jersey Devils, with whom he won three Stanley Cup championships and five Eastern Conference championships in 17 postseason campaigns. He also won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games, as well as several other medals with Team Canada in other international competitions. Brodeur is widely regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders of all time. In 2017, he was named by the league as one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players", and the following year, he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Patrick Jacques Roy is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, executive and former player who is the head coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Roy previously served as head coach for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, as well as the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history and was hailed in sports media as "king of goaltenders".
Brian Boucher is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who is a game analyst on national TNT games and also Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played with the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and was drafted 13th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He played in the Calgary Flames organization for three seasons before joining the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2000.
Thomas Patrick Barrasso is an American professional ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 18 seasons. Barrasso began his time in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, who selected him fifth overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft out of high school. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1988, where he would best be remembered and spend the majority of his career. Barrasso spent parts of 12 seasons with the Penguins, and was a Stanley Cup champion in 1991 and 1992. After being traded to the Ottawa Senators in March 2000 and sitting out the 2000–01 season, his final two seasons were split playing for the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues. Barrasso was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.
Glenn Henry Hall is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. During his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues, Hall seldom missed a game and was a consistent performer, winning the Vezina Trophy, which at the time was awarded to the goaltender on the team allowing the fewest goals against, three times, being voted the First team All-Star goaltender a record seven times, and winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as best rookie. Nicknamed "Mr. Goalie", he was the first goaltender to develop and make effective use of the butterfly style of goalkeeping. In 2017 Hall was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. He is the grandfather of Grant Stevenson.
Christopher John Osgood is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a Detroit Red Wings studio analyst and part-time color commentator for FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. He won three Stanley Cup championships in his career, all with the Red Wings, his first as the backup goaltender, and his last two as the starting goaltender. Between the four Stanley Cups Detroit won between 1997 and 2008, Osgood only missed the 2002 Stanley Cup championship. He is ranked 13th in wins in NHL regular season history with 401.
Michael Vernon is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.
Cristobal Huet is a French former professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a goalie coach for Lausanne HC of the National League (NL). He previously played for HC Lugano and HC Fribourg-Gottéron and within the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals organizations in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the first French netminder and second French-trained player overall to play in the NHL. He currently co-hosts hockey TV show, Le Repas d'équipe, with fellow French-born Swiss former player Laurent Meunier on MySports.
Timothy Thomas Jr. is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who mainly played in the National Hockey League (NHL), most notably with the Boston Bruins.
Justin Craig Williams is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Washington Capitals.
Andrew Joseph Ladd is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL).
The 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League (NHL) championship began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005–06 regular season. This was the first playoffs since 2004 due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout that cancelled the previously scheduled season. The 16 teams that qualified, seeded one through eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the Conference quarterfinals. The conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup.
The 2006 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2005–06 season, and the culmination of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. The first Stanley Cup Finals since 2004 after a lockout canceled the entirety of the 2004–05 season, it was contested between the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes and the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. It was Carolina's second appearance in the Finals, the other being in 2002, a loss to the Detroit Red Wings. It was Edmonton's seventh appearance in the Finals and their first since winning their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990 and their most recent appearance in 2024. It was also the first Finals matchup between teams that entered the league in 1979. Carolina defeated Edmonton in seven games to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup and become the tenth post-1967 expansion team and third former WHA team to win the Cup. Carolina's 2006 win was also the team's second league championship.
Anton Valerievich Khudobin is a Kazakhstani-born Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently under contract with HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Cody Eakin is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round, 85th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and has previously played for the Capitals, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres.
Alexander Nedeljkovic is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nedeljkovic was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)