The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Cam Ward to a one-day contract and announced that Ward will retire from the NHL.
Cam Ward has signed a one-day contract and will officially retire as a Carolina Hurricane!
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— Carolina Hurricanes (@CanesNHL) August 28, 2019
Carolina Hurricanes Goalie Retires
Over his 14-year NHL career, Ward has played for the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks. He has put up a 334-256-88 career record in 701 career appearances with 597 career starts. He also has a 2.74 goals against average, .908 save percentage, and 27 shutouts. Ward has a career 23-18 record in 41 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, with a 2.38 goals against average, .917 save percentage, and four shutouts.
Last season, Ward played in 33 games with 29 starts for the Blackhawks. He put up a 16-12-4 record with a 3.67 goals against average and .897 save percentage. His best season came during the 2008-09 season when he led the Canes a Stanley Cup Championship. That season he went 39-23-5 with a 2.44 goals against average, .916 save percentage and six shutouts. He also has a goal and 12 assists over the course of his career. Ward was originally drafted 25th overall in the 2002 NHL Draft by the Hurricanes.
Hurricanes President Don Waddell said, “Cam was a cornerstone for this organization for more than a decade. From his ‘Cam’s Champs’ program to his efforts with the Hurricanes Foundation and time spent teaching at our hockey camps, he had a tremendous impact on this community. We’re proud that he has chosen to retire with the Carolina Hurricanes.”
Cam Ward Looking Forward to His Post-career
In a statement announcing his retirement via @NHLCanes, Ward said, “It was an honor and a privilege to wear the Hurricanes jersey for 13 years. Throughout it all, what stayed clear to me was my love for this organization, this city and this fan base. It is why my family and I call Raleigh home, and will continue to call it home. I appreciate all the support the fans gave me throughout the highs and the lows. I thank you.”
“I’d also like to thank the great teammates, coaches and staff members I worked with during my time as a player in Carolina. I will always treasure my memories as a player at PNC Arena, from winning the Stanley Cup to representing the organization in the All-Star Game. While this wasn’t an easy decision, I’m looking forward to making the transition with my family and seeing what the future holds for me post career.”
Ward, 35 holds Hurricanes franchise goaltending records in career regular-season games played with 668, wins with 318, winning percentage with .557. He also had 27 shutouts and 17,261 saves.
There is no debate that the legacy of Ward will remain in Carolina with the Hurricanes.
