AHL San Antonio Rampage

Anaheim Ducks Acquire Defenseman Aaron Ward From Carolina In Trade

March 3, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired defenseman Aaron Ward from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for goaltender Justin Pogge and a fourth-round selection in either the 2010 or 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The fourth-round pick from Anaheim was acquired yesterday from Boston in exchange for defenseman Steven Kampfer.

"Aaron Ward brings valuable experience and is a proven winner with three Stanley Cup championships," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "We are pleased to bring him on board."

Ward, 37 (1/17/73), appeared in 60 games for the Hurricanes this season, collecting 1-1011 points with 54 penalty minutes (PIM). At the time of the trade, Ward led Carolina and ranked 15th among all NHL skaters with 122 blocked shots. Acquired by Carolina from Boston in exchange for Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft on July 24, 2009, Ward appeared in his 800th NHL game on Dec. 28 at Washington and earned his 100th career NHL assist on Dec. 5 vs. Vancouver.

Originally selected by Winnipeg in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, Ward has played 15 NHL seasons with Detroit (1993-01), Carolina (2001-06, 09-10), New York Rangers (2006-07), and Boston (2007-09). In 822 career NHL games, Ward has recorded 44-105149 points with 728 penalty minutes. A three-time Stanley Cup champion with Detroit (1997, 98) and Carolina (2006), the 6-2, 209-pound defenseman has added 4-610 points in 95 career playoff games. Ward made his NHL debut with Detroit during the 1993-94 season, scoring his first NHL goal in the Ducks' inaugural game on October 8, 1993, marking the first regular season goal ever scored at Honda Center (then Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim).

Pogge, 23 (4/22/86), went 12-7-3 with one shutout, a 2.57 goals-against average (GAA) and.920 save percentage (SV%) in 23 games for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. He began the season with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL, going 6-2-0 with a 2.69 GAA and.902 SV% in nine appearances. The 6-4, 202-pound goaltender was also recalled three times to Anaheim this year but did not make an appearance with the Ducks.

Acquired from Toronto in exchange for a conditional selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Aug. 10, 2009, Pogge appeared in seven NHL games with the Maple Leafs in 2008-09, posting a 1-4-1 record with a 4.36 GAA and.844 SV%. He has played four AHL seasons with San Antonio (2009-10) and the Toronto Marlies (2006-09), going 83-63-14 with eight shutouts, a 2.69 GAA and.902 SV% in 167 career appearances. Pogge was originally selected by Toronto in the third round (90th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

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