Ryan Ward

Ryan Ward (born September 26, 1980) is a Canadian-American former professional lacrosse player. Ward played 11 seasons in the NLL with the Philadelphia Wings, Minnesota Swarm, and Edmonton Rush. He retired after the 2014 season.

Ward is a two-time Mann Cup winner (in 2003 and 2005) with the Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association. In 2003, he was awarded the Western Lacrosse Association MVP award. Ward was also a junior high Physical Education teacher in Owatonna, Minnesota. He is also the founder of Twin Cities Lacrosse; a lacrosse club based in the southwest metro area of Minnesota.

Beginning and overview Ward has been playing lacrosse since the age of three. For the last 25 years, he has played in top indoor and outdoor leagues across North America. He has spent most of his free time coaching youth lacrosse camps and clinics throughout the Twin Cities. Ward currently resides in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He is also the Varsity Head Coach of the Eden Prairie High School lacrosse team.

College career Ward is a graduate of Butler University. As a senior, he was named Team Captain, and still holds the school record for assists.

Professional career Ward was selected by the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse as a first-round selection (2nd overall) in the 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft. He played one season in the league.

The Philadelphia Wings drafted Ward in the first round (3rd overall) in the 2003 NLL Entry Draft. As a rookie, he was awarded Rookie of the Week honors in week 8 of the season and named to the 2004 NLL All-Rookie Team. During the 2005 NLL season, Ward was traded to the Minnesota Swarm. In the 2006 NLL season, he was awarded Offensive Player of the Week honors in week 12 for his ten-point game against the Portland LumberJax, and helped lead the Swarm to their first playoff appearance.

Statistics NLL Regular Season Playoffs Season Team GP G A Pts LB PIM GP G A Pts LB PIM 2004 Philadelphia 13 18 19 37 45 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 2005 Philadelphia 5 5 2 7 23 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 2005 Minnesota 11 19 25 44 53 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 2006 Minnesota 16 19 47 66 37 16 1 2 3 5 3 0 2007 Minnesota 15 23 52 75 44 6 1 1 0 1 2 0 2008 Minnesota 16 33 36 69 56 10 1 0 3 3 1 0 2009 Minnesota 15 20 36 56 58 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- 2010 Edmonton 16 31 43 74 33 2 2 3 12 15 7 0 2011 Edmonton 16 25 33 58 33 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- 2012 Edmonton 16 19 38 57 38 4 3 10 11 21 4 0 2013 Edmonton 16 21 54 75 29 6 1 0 3 3 2 0 2014 Philadelphia 17 14 46 60 48 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- NLL totals 172 247 431 678 497 56 9 16 32 48 19 0