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Capitals: A look back at Joel Ward’s time with the Caps

By Michael Marzzacco

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Joel Ward #42 of the Washington Capitals tries to keep the puck as Tyler Seguin #19 of the Boston Bruins defends in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 12, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 1-0 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Joel Ward #42 of the Washington Capitals tries to keep the puck as Tyler Seguin #19 of the Boston Bruins defends in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 12, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 1-0 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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There were many great legends that suited up in a Washington Capitals uniform. Today we look back on the career of Joel Ward.

Joel Ward came to the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2011 as a free agent and he may have been one of their best free agent acquisitions that would pay off in the long haul.

Ward wasn’t drafted but was signed by the Minnesota Wild at age 26. A late bloomer, yes but as the old saying goes better late than never. He had three productive seasons as a member of the Nashville Predators before the Caps signed him.

He didn’t score many goals his first season with the Caps. He only had six along with 12 assists for 18 points but it was what he did in the playoffs that will always be remembered around the city.

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In an intense playoff series with the then-defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins as the second seed and the Caps as the seventh seed, Washington upset them in seven games. It was Ward’s gritty goal in overtime that was the difference.

The next season was a lockout-shortened one so take that into account but Ward put up a respectable eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. In 2013-14 he really went off with a career-high 24 goals, 25 assists for 49 points.

In 2014-15, which turned out to be his last season in Washington, Ward scored 19 goals and added 15 assists for 34 points. Ward also came up clutch that spring as well. He had a buzzer-beating goal on the road at Madison Square Garden that stunned the New York Rangers and gave the Caps an early 1-0 series lead.

Perhaps though the biggest thing Ward contributed to his four years in Washington wasn’t what he did on the ice nor in the playoffs but what he did in the locker room and community as well.

Ward was recently invited back by the Caps to take part in the ceremonial puck drop for the team’s “Black History Game” against the Pittsburgh Penguins in February. You can check out behind the scenes of that day and Ward’s visit in D.C. in their “Beyond Hockey” video below.

Ward was a role model to Tom Wilson and Michael Latta. He also was the first to welcome Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen. That’s the sign of a true leader.

Ward also recently gave his thumbs up on Twitter to their trade deadline acquisition of Brenden Dillon. Ward and Dillon were teammates in San Jose where Ward finished his career after his contract with the Capitals was up.

More. Capitals hang on to defeat Wild in our NHL 20 simulation. light

Even though Ward spent just four seasons in D.C. Caps fans will always welcome him back to games with open arms as shown by the roar he got from the crowd prior to dropping the puck back in February.

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