Joel Ward

Three years ago, almost to the day, I found myself talking to Joel Ward at Art Thompson Arena. We were both playing a one day hockey tournament organized for a friends stag. At the time Joel had just completed his season with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League and his contract with the Minnesota Wild was about to expire. Unsure of where he would end up playing hockey in the fall of 2008 he just decided to go with the flow and see what would come about during the summer.

Joel was a player I first met through my friend Rob Watt while playing summer hockey at Canlan Ice Sports during the summer of 1999. Rob's younger brother, Jessie, had played with Joel growing up and both were sold on the fact Joel Ward was a hockey player. Mind you, having a good head on his shoulder, Joel wasn't about to over extend his game during a Thursday night men's league hockey game with a bunch of guys who were playing the game for fun and to see their buddies. Following his career from then on, as well as bumping into him every now again, I quickly understood just what the Watt's were preaching about Ward.

Not only could Joel Ward play the game and play it the way only a select few are capable of, but he was a level headed guy who always made you feel appreciated and welcomed each time you crossed his path. A trait not lost on me and many others.

As Joel graduated from the Owen Sound Attack, then the University of Prince Edward Island and eventually landing job within the Minnesota Wild organization, you just knew Joel Ward was going to make a name for himself as professional hockey player one way or another. Working his way up the ladder and proving he had the size, strength and abilities needed to play with the best, Ward made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild during the 2006-07 season.

Upon completing his time with the Wild and the Aeros, Ward landed on his feet with an opportunity to attend the Nashville Predators training camp in September of 2008. With a bevy of talented prospects, veterans and other potential players seeking employment within the Predators organization, it didn't take head coach Barry Trotts very long to ask who the big right handed winger was taking part in the camp. Knowing the Predators were in need of added size and depth to their stable of prospects playing in the system, Trotts not only took a shining to Ward he made sure David Poile signed him to a contract.

Over the past three years Joel Ward has not only established himself in Nashville but throughout all hockey circles as a full time National Hockey League player. As the Predators continue their season with a valiant playoff run, it has become increasingly obvious that the hockey world has been taking notice to the rise of the veteran forward. Being an unrestricted free agent on July first will not only open even more doors for Joel Ward, it will reward him for the years of hard work and dedication his has put in to the game he has played and loved since first putting on a pair of skates.