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VIDEO: Capitals winger Joel Ward's long journey to the NHL

Ken Campbell, The Hockey News, Dec 16 2011

Joel Ward’s road to the NHL was by no means a direct route. The 31-year-old Toronto native went undrafted after spending four years in the Ontario League with Owen Sound. But instead of giving up on his dream, Ward moved to the East Coast to play Canadian University hockey.

After four years at the University of Prince Edward Island, Ward was signed by the Minnesota Wild’s American League affiliate, the Houston Aeros. The following year Ward earned a contract with the Wild, but spent most of the next two seasons in the AHL further developing his game. It wasn’t until he signed with the Nashville Predators as a free agent in 2008-09 that he was able to become a full-time NHLer.

But Ward’s indirect path is only part of the adversity he overcame on his way to the NHL. Ken Campbell takes a closer look at the tragedy Joel Ward endured en route to becoming a professional hockey player.

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Dean
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