Joel Ward, an undrafted prospect, transformed his hockey career through a tryout with the Minnesota Wild. After not being selected in the 1999 NHL Draft, Ward pursued university hockey at UPEI, where he led his team in points for two seasons. Invited for a Wild tryout in 2005, he excelled, earning a contract and making his NHL debut a year later. Despite a brief stint in Minnesota, Ward built a successful 11-year career, eventually transitioning into coaching after retirement in 2020. Now, he鈥檚 been appointed as head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights, demonstrating his growth and perseverance in the sport.

By the Numbers
  • Only 171 Canadian University hockey players have ever reached the NHL.
  • Ward achieved 35 points in his first NHL season with the Nashville Predators and surpassed 30 points in five separate seasons throughout his career.
State of Play
  • The Minnesota Wild currently do not hold first or second-round picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
  • Joel Ward's advancement from an undrafted player to an NHL head coach reflects the evolving landscape of player development paths.
What's Next

Ward's new role as head coach at the Henderson Silver Knights may provide him with opportunities to further develop his coaching skills, potentially leading to future positions in the NHL coaching ranks.

Bottom Line

The Wild鈥檚 discovery of Joel Ward showcases the importance of finding hidden talent, encouraging teams to look beyond conventional drafting routes to uncover future stars.