Nathan Ward
Encyclopedia
Nathan Ward is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player, currently playing for Flint Generals
after being released by the Manchester Phoenix
.
. Ward established himself quickly, and in his first season managed to score 10 points in 38 games.
Ward would continue to be a key player for LSSU, and in the following three seasons totalled 54 points, missing only a handful of games. After Ward had finished playing for LSSU, he moved to sign for the Odessa Jackalopes
in the Central Hockey League
. Despite it being Ward's first professional hockey season, he averaged almost a point every two games. This productivity persuaded the Jackalopes to re-sign Ward for the 2007-08 term. Ward would improve again, this time managing 63 points in 64 games, and helping the Jackalopes into the post-season.
In the summer of 2008, Ward took the decision to play his hockey outside North America
for the first time, signing with the Manchester Phoenix
to play under head coach Tony Hand
. Ward moved to Manchester in July 2008 along with his Jackalopes team-mate Alex Dunn
. A successful season would follow in Manchester, with the organisation reaching both domestic cup finals and making the play-offs. Ward was key to the success, proving himsel as a playmaker and goalscorer. Despite the team's on-ice improvement, financial problems continued and the Phoenix moved into the EPL
at the end of the season. This would considerably limit the budget available, and consequently much of the senior squad, including Ward, was released and signed on 25 September 2009 by Flint Generals
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, currently playing for Flint Generals
Flint Generals
The Flint Generals were a professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan.They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan....
after being released by the Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
.
Career
Ward's senior level career began with his move into the NCAA for Lake Superior State UniversityLake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
. Ward established himself quickly, and in his first season managed to score 10 points in 38 games.
Ward would continue to be a key player for LSSU, and in the following three seasons totalled 54 points, missing only a handful of games. After Ward had finished playing for LSSU, he moved to sign for the Odessa Jackalopes
Odessa Jackalopes
The Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League , and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders...
in the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
. Despite it being Ward's first professional hockey season, he averaged almost a point every two games. This productivity persuaded the Jackalopes to re-sign Ward for the 2007-08 term. Ward would improve again, this time managing 63 points in 64 games, and helping the Jackalopes into the post-season.
In the summer of 2008, Ward took the decision to play his hockey outside North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
for the first time, signing with the Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
to play under head coach Tony Hand
Tony Hand
Tony Hand MBE is a Scottish ice hockey player who became the first British-raised player to be drafted by an NHL team when he was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in 1986. He is currently player-coach of the Manchester Phoenix...
. Ward moved to Manchester in July 2008 along with his Jackalopes team-mate Alex Dunn
Alex Dunn
Alex Dunn is an American professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Odessa Jackalopes of the CHL after his release at the end of the 2008/09 season by the Manchester Phoenix of the EIHL....
. A successful season would follow in Manchester, with the organisation reaching both domestic cup finals and making the play-offs. Ward was key to the success, proving himsel as a playmaker and goalscorer. Despite the team's on-ice improvement, financial problems continued and the Phoenix moved into the EPL
English Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
at the end of the season. This would considerably limit the budget available, and consequently much of the senior squad, including Ward, was released and signed on 25 September 2009 by Flint Generals
Flint Generals
The Flint Generals were a professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan.They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan....
.
Career stats
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2002-03 | Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste... |
NCAA | 38 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2003-04 | Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste... |
NCAA | 35 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2004-05 | Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste... |
NCAA | 38 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 34 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2005-06 | Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste... |
NCAA | 36 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 29 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2006-07 | Odessa Jackalopes Odessa Jackalopes The Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League , and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders... |
CHL Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs.... |
62 | 9 | 21 | 30 | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2007-08 | Odessa Jackalopes Odessa Jackalopes The Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League , and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders... |
CHL Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs.... |
64 | 20 | 43 | 63 | 40 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2008-09 | Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in... |
EIHL | 68 | 18 | 38 | 56 | 51 | 2 | ||||||
| Career Totals | 341 | 75 | 138 | 213 | 204 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||||
- Includes league/post season games only, correct up to 10/07/09
External links
- Nathan Ward Personal Profile, Manchester Phoenix Official Website
- Phoenix Sign Centreman Ward, Manchester Phoenix Official Website, 18/07/08