Joel Ward, a former NHL player, has been named the new head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the appointment, marking Ward's first head coaching role in professional hockey. Ward expressed enthusiasm about leading the Silver Knights and continuing his development within the organization, bringing familiarity from his previous tenure as an assistant coach. He has been instrumental in the team's recent playoff appearances, including his time with the Golden Knights, where they reached the Stanley Cup Final.

By the Numbers
  • Ward played 726 regular-season games in the NHL, scoring 133 goals and 171 assists for 304 points.
  • He has assisted the Silver Knights in reaching the Calder Cup Playoffs twice in their six-year history.
State of Play
  • Ward steps into the head coach role after three seasons as an assistant, during which the Golden Knights made the playoffs every year.
  • The Silver Knights were eliminated in the Pacific Division Semifinals by the Colorado Eagles this past season.
What's Next

With Ward at the helm, the Silver Knights aim to build on their playoff experience and strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. Expectations will be high as he seeks to develop talent and drive the team towards greater success in the AHL.

Bottom Line

Joel Ward's appointment as head coach signifies a new chapter for the Henderson Silver Knights. His experience as a player and assistant coach positions him well to lead the team and foster the growth of future NHL talent.