Hangin' Them Up: Aaron Ward Retires

The NHL has lost another prominent player and household name Tuesday. Veteran defenseman Aaron Ward announced his retirement after 13 seasons and three Stanley Cups.

37 year old Ward underwent a third knee surgery during the off-season after becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 09/10 season.

"I'm very proud to have played for as long as I did in the NHL, with and against the best players in the game," Ward said in the release. "This game has left me with countless memories and relationships, especially from those Stanley Cup winning teams in Carolina and Detroit. Thank you to my family, fans, friends and teammates for all of the great years."

Ward played in 839 career NHL games with Detroit, Carolina, Boston, Anaheim and the New York Rangers, winning Stanley Cups with the Red Wings ('97, '98) and Hurricanes ('06). He finishes his career with 44 goals and 107 assists with 736 penalty minutes.

Last season he started with Carolina, and was dealt to Anaheim near the trade deadline. In 77 games he tallied one goal and 13 points with a plus/minus -15.

Ward was drafted 5^th overall in the 1991 Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, but made his NHL debut for the Detroit Red Wings in 1993. Three years later he played his first full season with the Wings, capturing the first of two strait Stanley Cup championships. In 2006, he would repeat his winning ways as a part of the Carolina Hurricanes Championship team in 2006.He was a pivotal piece to all of the team’s he played for on the back end. Ward was a steady, smart, and strong defenseman throughout his career.

Aaron will stay North Carolina with his wife and children, and plans to continue his television work as a hockey analyst in this coming season.

-Kendall Grubbs