Cam Ward

Cameron Ward (born February 29, 1984 in Sherwood Park, Alberta) is a Canadian hockey goaltender who currently plays in the National Hockey League for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ward played 2 seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League before was drafted 25th overall by Carolina in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

So far in his young and promising career Ward has spent 2 more seasons with the Rebels and one season with the Lowell Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League.

On May 13, 2004, Ward signed a multi-year contract with the Hurricanes. In the 2005-06 NHL season, Ward largely served in a backup role to Swiss goalie Martin Gerber with the Hurricanes. Ward's numbers were not stellar, as he went 14-8 with a 3.68 goals against average. However, Gerber's struggles early in the first round series against the Montreal Canadiens in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs prompted Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette to turn to Ward.

Trivia

• On June 5th 2006, Ward became the first goalie in the history of the NHL to allow a goal on a penalty shot in a Stanley Cup final game. The goal was scored by Edmonton Oilers defenseman Chris Pronger. He went on to win the game, turning away 34 shots on goal.

• On June 5th, 2006, Ward became the youngest goalie since Patrick Roy to make a start in the Stanley Cup Finals. Ward was the winning goalie that night in a wild 5-4 game.

• On June 7th, 2006, Ward become one of eleven rookie goalies to pitch a shutout in the Stanley Cup Finals, as he was in net for a 5-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Raleigh, NC. Ward was the first rookie to do so since Patrick Roy in 1986.