Aaron Ward

Rangers Receive A-Ward

After missing out on several first options on the blue line, the Rangers appear to have gone with Plan B., signing former Carolina Hurricane defenseman Aaron Ward.  Ward will join his former team mate Matt Cullen on the Rangers, as the 33 year old defenseman signs on with a Rangers team who are looking to strengthen their defense.  The 33 year old Canadian will look to be a key part of the Rangers defensive corps, bringing an average of 19:07 minutes of ice time a game, which was third amongst defensemen on the Hurricanes.  His biggest contributions though were at even strength and short handed, where he was second on the team, and lead all defensemen.  By comparison the Rangers used five defensemen with greater ice time last year (Rozsival – 22:27, Ozolinsh – 20:56, Poti – 20:46, Tyutin 20:33, and Malik 20:26), and no Blueshirt defender played more on the penalty kill.

Still there are questions to Ward’s game and what he’ll be able to bring to the Rangers.  Carolina was ranked 19th in the league on the penalty kill and one spot lower at 20th for the average number of goals given up.  Ward will give head coach Tom Renney a couple more options on defense, but will also perhaps force the Rangers now to look at the option of dealing one or more of their existing blueliners. 

Aaron Ward
Height: 6-2Age: 33
Weight: 215Birthday: September 2, 1972
Position: DefenseBirthplace: Windsor ON, Canada
Shoots: RightDrafted: 1991 NHL Entry Draft – Winnipeg Jets – #5 (1st round)
Salary: 2 years, 5.5 million
 REGULAR SEASON
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPts+/-PIMPPGSHGSOG 
1990-1991U of MichiganNCAA4681119126 
1991-1992U of MichiganNCAA427121964 
1992-1993U of MichiganNCAA30581373 
1993-1994Adirondack Red WingsAHL584121687 
1993-1994Detroit Red WingsCZE5101+24003 
1994-1995Adirondack Red WingsAHL7611243587 
1994-1995Detroit Red WingsNHL1011+12000 
1995-1996Adirondack Red WingsAHL7451015133 
1996-1997Detroit Red WingsNHL49257-9520040 
1997-1998Detroit Red WingsNHL525510-1470047 
1998-1999Detroit Red WingsNHL603811-5520046 
1999-2000Detroit Red WingsNHL36134-4240025 
2000-2001Detroit Red WingsNHL73459-4570048 
2001-2002Carolina HurricanesNHL79311140740069 
2002-2003Carolina HurricanesNHL77369-23900066 
2003-2004Carolina HurricanesNHL49358+1372051 
2004-2005IngolstadtDEL8033-516 
2005-2006Carolina HurricanesNHL7161925+2620060 
NHL Totals  552316899-4050120455 

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