Mathew Ward

July 2022 – Ward was passed over in his first year of draft eligibility. He will return to the WHL for the 2022-23 season. Nick Richard

May 2022 – While Ward is undersized, he still plays a more physical, gritty type of game than most players under 5-10 will play, and can make an offensive impact most nights. One thing that immediately sticks out is Ward’s skating ability as he can maneuver around the ice without much hassle. It is his edgework and quick, efficient strides that power Ward around the ice, allowing him to pressure defenders on the forecheck or get open for his teammates to find him. Because of this ability, he plays fairly well away from the puck, doing his best to maintain good positioning in the defensive zone, anticipating well, and closing up passing lanes. His lack of a reach and physical presence offers more space for passing and skating around him and Ward is often physically outplayed on the defensive side of the puck but it is difficult to imagine Ward not being able to translate his offensive skills to the professional level. It is evident that his time and space will be taken away more and more as he works his way up to the NHL, but Ward’s vision and creativity are often on display. With his head up and feet moving constantly, he is often in the right areas to create offense. However, his inconsistency and lack of discipline can hurt him at times. Penalties will come as a result of the hardnosed style of play Ward brings to the table but he has multiple games of 10+ PIM. There is no doubt that he will need to continue to improve his strength, play his rough-edged game and produce offensively if he wants to find himself on an NHL roster. His willingness to compete for every shift is impressive and will earn him a professional opportunity, but it will ultimately be up to his physical maturity and decision-making that places him wherever he’ll end up in the coming years. Evan Pace