Cam Ward

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 became the first starting goaltender to win the Stanley Cup as a rookie since Patrick Roy in 1986.

Ward spent his junior career with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ward completed his NHL rookie season with 14 wins and 8 losses, along with a 3.68 goals against average.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As Ward was helped into the dressing room, he left a trail of blood on the ice.

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.

Ward was the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game Fantasy Draft, selected by All-Star Game captain, Eric Staal.

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.

Ward recorded his 500th game with the Carolina Hurricanes on February 27, 2015.

He played for the Chicago Blackhawks during his final season before signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a Hurricane in 2019.

Ward was born in Saskatoon, growing up there and in Sherwood Park, Alberta.