Washington Capitals alumnus Joel Ward was back in the District this weekend taking part in a street hockey clinic on Saturday and participating in a ceremonial puck drop before the Capitals’ Black History Game on Sunday. Washington hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in the noon matinee.
On Saturday at the Watkins Rec Center, Ward participated in a street hockey clinic with local children including Fort Dupont Cannons players.
#Caps alumnus Joel Ward participating in a street hockey clinic at Watkins Rec Center in Washington, D.C. Participants include members of the @DCCannons. Ward is participating in a ceremonial puck drop prior to #CapsPens on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/tfxGpZhQRN
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 22, 2020
Ward has been involved in numerous practices with the Cannons during his four years in Washington. Fort Dupont Ice Arena is the only full-size indoor ice arena in Washington, D.C., and the Cannons are the oldest minority youth hockey program in North America. He caught up with Cannons coach and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Neal Henderson.
#Caps alumnus Joel Ward reunites with @DCCannons coach Neal Henderson at a street hockey event at Watkins Rec Center. During his career with the @capitals, Ward participated in several skates with the Cannons. pic.twitter.com/MjpU8Cl1cN
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 22, 2020
Ward also announced the starting lineup.
Win it for Wardo. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/gGpYyDZm02
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2020
He took part in a ceremonial puck drop before the Capitals’ Black History Game against the Penguins at noon. The team highlighted contributions made to both the sport of hockey and the organization by African-Americans. Ward walked onto the ice sporting a Black Girl Hockey Club sweater.
Following puck drop, Ward joined Capitals announcer John Walton calling the game.
#Caps alumnus Joel Ward joins @WaltonCaps on the #CapsPens call following his participation in a ceremonial puck drop ahead of the @Capitals Black History Game. pic.twitter.com/Ioihte8Oid
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 23, 2020
Big Cheese sighting. @JRandalWard42 pic.twitter.com/BS0vfgD87h
— John Walton (@WaltonCaps) February 23, 2020
After three seasons with the Nashville Predators, Ward became an unrestricted free agent after the 2010-11 season and signed a four-year, $12 million contract with the Capitals. Perhaps his most memorable moment was scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Capitals to a 2-1 win in Game 7 over the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He signed a three-year, $9.75 million dollar deal with the San Jose Sharks in the summer of 2015. Once his contract expired, Ward attended the Montréal Canadiens training camp on a professional tryout (PTO), but Montréal released him.
A Weekend with Wardo!#ALLCAPS legend Joel Ward comes back to Washington, D.C. as the Capitals ambassador for #BlackHistoryMonth and the #HockeyIsForEveryone initiative
Spend some one-on-one time with the Big Cheese in another episode of Beyond Hockey pic.twitter.com/4I5Ge94I7y
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 22, 2020
Ward announced his retirement from professional hockey on February 11, 2019.
By Della Young
Great to have @JRandalWard42 in the building for tonight’s #BlackHistoryMonth puck drop! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7GdHB3pfDE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2020
Actually it was Pittsburgh’s Chris Letang who broke (interrupted?) Jakub Vrana’s 12 game drought by careening into his own goalie and sort of fumbling the puck over his back into the net, BUT I’LL TAKE IT!!
Clifford