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Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward’s Carolina Resume and Legacy

By Conor Power

RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 19: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes poses with the Conn Smythe trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 19, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes defeated the Oilers 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup finals 4 games to 3. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 19: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes poses with the Conn Smythe trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 19, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes defeated the Oilers 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup finals 4 games to 3. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Finally arriving in the NHL.

After another spectacular performance in the playoffs, Ward started to show why he was so highly touted in the 2002 NHL draft. Quickly his numbers started to look like those of a genuine NHL goaltender. He was looking like the goaltender that his idol Martin Brodeur has so kindly called “his idol”. Ward was looking like he belonged at the top level.

But while Ward got better, the rest of the team regressed to a burning pile of rubble. You could have any goalie you want in goal with the 2009-10 Carolina Hurricanes, and they wouldn’t be any closer to the playoffs for it. Ward performed very well, and the team in front of him just did not show up.

Back to back great seasons was promising for Ward. After all the hard work, after all the criticism and fluctuation in performances, had he finally become what he knew he could be as a member of the Red Deer Rebels? Would his NHL career finally start to progress like he always knew it would or would it continue to bounce like a basketball?

As for the Carolina Hurricanes, had they got their goaltender of the future? At long last was there a solution to their issues in the crease? Ward was looking fantastic and he was only 25 years old. He had suffered some injuries (probably due to the vast amount of games he was starting) but he was young and still getting better. Could he stay reliable?

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