If you’re a hockey fan, specifically one who remembers the mid-2000s, the name Cam Ward probably brings back a very specific image: a young, mask-clad wall standing tall in front of a raucous North Carolina crowd. But before the parades and the Conn Smythe Trophy, there was the draft.
So, what team did Cam Ward get drafted to? Basically, he was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes.
It happened back in 2002. The Hurricanes snagged him in the first round with the 25th overall pick. At the time, he was a standout goalie for the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Honestly, nobody knew then that this kid from Saskatoon would become the face of the franchise for over a decade. He wasn't even the first goalie taken that year—Kari Lehtonen went second overall to Atlanta—but Ward was the one who ended up with the ring.
The Draft Night That Changed Carolina Forever
The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. It’s kinda wild to look back at that draft class. You had Rick Nash going first overall, and future stars like Duncan Keith and Jay Bouwmeester getting their names called.
When the Hurricanes stepped up to the podium for the 25th pick, they weren't looking for a quick fix. They were looking for a cornerstone. Ward had just come off a monster season in Red Deer, posting a 2.27 GAA and a .911 save percentage. He was a "big game" goalie even then.
Usually, first-round goalies are projects. They take years to marinate in the minors. Ward followed that script for a bit, spending time with the Lowell Lock Monsters in the AHL, but destiny had a shorter timeline for him.
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From Backup to Postseason Hero
Fast forward to the 2005-06 season. Ward was technically the backup to Martin Gerber. He only played 28 games in the regular season. His stats? Not great. A .882 save percentage isn't exactly "future Hall of Famer" material.
But then the playoffs hit.
Gerber struggled early against the Montreal Canadiens. The Canes were down 2-0 in the series. Coach Peter Laviolette made the call—he put the rookie in. Ward didn't just play; he took over. He went 15-8 in those playoffs with a 2.14 GAA. He led the Hurricanes to their first (and so far only) Stanley Cup victory against the Edmonton Oilers.
Why the Conn Smythe Mattered
Ward became the first rookie goalie to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since Patrick Roy in 1986. That's elite company. Think about the pressure. You're 22 years old, playing for a team that's never won it all, and you’re staring down an Oilers team that refused to die. Ward was the difference. He made a save on Fernando Pisani in Game 7 that people still talk about in Raleigh like it's a religious event.
Life After the 2006 Magic
A lot of people think Ward was a "one-hit wonder." That’s just flat-out wrong. He spent 13 seasons in Carolina. He’s the franchise leader in pretty much every goaltending category:
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- Games played (668)
- Wins (318)
- Shutouts (27)
He even scored a goal! Well, he was credited with one on December 26, 2011, against the New Jersey Devils. It was a delayed penalty situation where the Devils put it in their own net, but Ward was the last Hurricane to touch the puck.
The Chicago Chapter and Retirement
Toward the end of his career, things changed. The Hurricanes were moving in a new direction. In 2018, Ward signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. It was weird seeing him in a red jersey that didn't have a hurricane on it. He played 33 games there, providing some veteran stability while Corey Crawford dealt with injuries.
But he knew where his heart was. In 2019, Cam Ward signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes so he could retire as a member of the team that drafted him. It was a class move by the organization.
In 2023, he was officially inducted into the Hurricanes Hall of Fame. He joined the likes of Rod Brind'Amour, Ron Francis, and Glen Wesley.
What Most People Get Wrong About Cam Ward
People often forget how much of a workhorse he was. In the 2010-11 season, he faced a league-leading 2,375 shots. He was the only reason those "lean years" in Carolina weren't total disasters. He didn't have a world-class defense in front of him for most of his career, yet he stayed loyal.
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There’s also a common misconception that he was "injury-prone." While he had some tough breaks—literally—he played over 60 games in a season five different times. In the modern NHL, that's a massive workload.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Ward legacy or start a collection, here’s how to do it:
- Look for the 2002-03 Young Guns Card: His Upper Deck rookie card is the "holy grail" for Ward collectors. Because he wasn't a top-5 pick, it was relatively affordable for a long time, but its value holds steady due to his franchise legend status.
- Watch the 2006 Championship DVD: If you can find a copy (or a high-quality stream), watch Game 7 against Edmonton. Pay attention to his positioning. He wasn't the biggest goalie, but his "read and react" style was ahead of its time.
- Visit the PNC Arena Hall of Fame: If you’re ever in Raleigh, the Hurricanes have an incredible display for their Hall of Fame inductees. It’s the best way to see the actual gear he wore during that 2006 run.
- Track the New Cam Ward: Don't get him confused with the quarterback! As of 2026, there’s a high-profile football player named Cam Ward. If you're searching for hockey stats, make sure you're looking for the "2006 Conn Smythe winner."
Cam Ward's career is a reminder that where you get drafted matters less than what you do when the lights get bright. He was pick #25, a "late" first-rounder who ended up being the greatest goalie in his franchise's history.
To truly appreciate the impact Ward had, you should compare his postseason win percentage to other goalies of his era; you'll find that in high-leverage situations, he was almost peerless.