Jason Ward, a Canadian professional ice hockey player, embarked on his NHL journey after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens as the 11th overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Born on January 16, 1979, in Chapleau, Ontario, Ward's early career was marked by his time in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Erie Otters, where he honed his skills and caught the attention of NHL scouts.
Ward's NHL debut came during the 1999-2000 season with the Canadiens. Over the next few years, he split his time between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL), playing for the Quebec Citadelles and later the Hamilton Bulldogs. His performance in the AHL was noteworthy, particularly during the 2002-2003 season when he was awarded the Les Cunningham Award as the league's most valuable player.
In the NHL, Ward was known for his role as a right winger, contributing both offensively and defensively. His tenure with the Canadiens lasted until 2005, after which he was traded to the New York Rangers. With the Rangers, Ward found more consistent playing time, appearing in 66 games during the 2005-2006 season and contributing to the team's playoff run.
Ward's career continued with a trade to the Los Angeles Kings in 2007, where he played for a brief period before being traded again to the Tampa Bay Lightning. His time with the Lightning was short-lived, and he finished the 2007-2008 season with the team. The following season, Ward signed with the Anaheim Ducks but spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Chops.
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