- Joel Ward is set to become the next head coach of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights
- It would be the first head coaching job of the longtime NHL forward’s career
- Read below for how the opening came together and Ward’s road from Washington favorite to the bench
Joel Ward is about to run a bench for the first time.
The longtime NHL forward, a fan favorite during his years in Washington, is set to become the next head coach of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, according to insider Jeff Marek.
Marek reported the move:
Vegas opened the spot when it promoted Ryan Craig to its head coaching job. The Golden Knights moved on from John Tortorella after their Stanley Cup Final loss to Carolina and pulled Craig off Henderson’s bench, leaving the AHL club without a coach.
Ward already knows the building. He spent three seasons as an assistant in Henderson before Vegas brought him up to the NHL staff three years ago. This would be his first crack at being the guy in charge.
Caps fans remember Ward for one of the biggest goals in franchise history. He scored the overtime winner in Game 7 against the defending champion Bruins in 2012, knocking Boston out of the playoffs on a feed from Mike Knuble. Watch it again:
Across 11 NHL seasons, Ward suited up for Nashville, Washington, San Jose, and Minnesota. He racked up 304 points in 726 games and set personal bests of 24 goals and 49 points during his 2013-14 season with the Capitals. His last NHL game came with the Sharks in 2017-18, and he retired in 2020.
Henderson gives him a team coming off a 39-21-12 season and a third-place finish in the Pacific Division. The Silver Knights knocked off the San Jose Barracuda in the first round of the playoffs before Colorado ended their run.
Now Ward gets the bench to himself.
