Aaron Ward scored the first goal ever in Arrowhead Pond (now Honda Center). It seems only appropriate that he played his final game there as a member of the Ducks.
The 37-year-old defenseman announced his retirement Tuesday. The Ducks chose not to re-sign him, and a successful run in the TSN booth during last season’s playoffs probably opened more doors in broadcasting than were open in the NHL.
Continue reading “Aaron Ward announces he’s retiring.” »
For all the injuries that mount over the course of an 82-game season, the most painful time period for an NHL player seems to be the day after the season is over – when all sorts of injuries are revealed by players who kept their bumps and bruises under wraps like state secrets.
Of those that came to light Monday, the worst belonged to center Ryan Getzlaf and defenseman Aaron Ward.
Continue reading “Getzlaf, Ward reveal depth of injuries.” »
Saku Koivu has perfected the 6-on-4, third-period, game-tying goal.
On Saturday, he also found the perfect shootout move.
A late power-play goal by Koivu sent the Ducks into overtime for the second straight night. But unlike after Friday’s shootout loss to Vancouver, Anaheim was in a celebratory mood after Koivu lifted a forehand past Jonathan Quick in the third shootout round against the Kings.
Continue reading “Ducks 2, Kings 1, SO.” »
The Ducks’ lineup looked different, and younger, in Edmonton than it has all season. In the end, a few familiar faces helped salvage a win at the end of a make-or-break road trip that has mostly served to break the Ducks’ playoff hopes.
Continue reading “Ducks 3, Edmonton 2.” »
A 5-on-3 power-play goal by Nashville’s Shea Weber was the difference, as Pekka Rinne stopped all 31 shots he faced. Two minor penalties in a game can usually pass by unnoticed, but not in the Ducks’ first period Friday.
Aaron Ward was whistled for interference at 17:19 and Ryan Getzlaf was caught high-sticking 17 seconds later. Few would have predicted that Weber’s blast 18 seconds into the 2-man power play would be the only goal all night.
Jonas Hiller played his best game since the Olympic break, stopping 27 of 28 shots.
More to follow.
Lubomir Visnovsky and Aaron Ward were given side-by-side lockers in the Ducks’ dressing room Thursday, in the same block as Sheldon Brookbank and Steve Eminger.
Don’t read too much into that.
“We always think about it,” head coach Randy Carlyle said when asked what the new defensive pairings would look like, “but there isn’t any earth-shattering news in that department. We’ve got seven guys, and we’re going to try to get some people together that gets us the best chance.”
Continue reading “Visnovsky, Ward arrive.” »
Just filed the story regarding today’s trades. In all, 55 players changed teams in 31 deals, both NHL records.
The Ducks’ five trades seemed meager in comparison to the Phoenix Coyotes’ seven, the most of any team. Here are the highlights from Bob Murray’s pregame summit high atop Honda Center:
Continue reading “Trade deadline recap.” »
Landing the depth defenseman they wanted, the Ducks have traded goaltender Justin Pogge and a future fourth-round draft pick to the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Aaron Ward.
Ward told reporters in Raleigh this morning that he will not be in Anaheim for tonight’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, but told Randy Carlyle he will practice with his new team Thursday.
In an interview with TSN this morning, Ward, who has been anxiously awaiting a trade, said he “was surprsied it’s Anaheim.”
“I’m happy from the fact I feel it’s a new lease on life,” he said. “October, November, I thought I had the poorest runs of hockey in my career and wasn’t very happy with it. I think I’ve played well the last few months.”
Ward, who turned 37 in January, has a goal and 11 points in 60 games this season for the Hurricanes. His minus-17 rating was second-lowest on the team.
In 822 career NHL games, Ward has recorded 44 goals and 149 points with 728 penalty minutes. A three-time Stanley Cup champion with Detroit (1997, 98) and Carolina (2006), the 6-2, 209-pound defenseman has added four goals and 10 points in 95 career playoff games.
“Aaron Ward brings valuable experience and is a proven winner with
three Stanley Cup championships,” Ducks GM Bob Murray said in a
statement. “We are pleased to bring him on board.”
Pogge was acquired in the off-season from the Toronto Maple Leafs to serve as the team’s third goaltender. The 23-year-old split the season between ECHL Bakersfield and AHL San Antonio, where he carried a 2.57 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 23 games.
The Ducks have three young goalies already under contract. Timo Pielmeier and Jean-Phillippe Levasseur are currently in Bakersfield, and Marco Cousineau is finishing up his final season in the QMJHL.
Ward gives the Ducks seven NHL defensemen under contract. They have been playing with six since Nick Boynton was assigned to the AHL on Feb. 2.