Lengkepan kalimat di handap ieu: Ward lahir di Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, tumuwuh nepi aya jeung di Edmonton pinggiran kota ti Sherwood Park, Alberta. Salila tilu taun karir junior di Liga Hoki Kulon (WHL) jeung Red Deer Rebels, manéhna dipilih ka-25 sacara umum ku Hurricanes di
2002 NHL Entry Draft. Sanggeus usum kalawan Hurricanes 'American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, nu Lowell konci Monsters, manéhna meunang Stanley Cup jeung Hurricanes dina 2006, unggul Conn Smythe Trophy salaku pamuter paling berharga dina playoffs. Manéhna jadi kiper mimiti nu meunang Piala Stanley salaku rookie saprak Patrick Roy dina 1986.