RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Thursday that the team signed veteran goaltender Cam Ward to a two-year contract extension.
The deal will pay Ward $3.5 million during the 2016-17 season, and $3.1 million in 2017-18.
In 2006, Ward backstopped Carolina to the Stanley Cup championship and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the playoffs.
Drafted by the Hurricanes in the first round (25th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Ward is the Carolina franchise’s all-time leader in wins (269), shutouts (23) and games played by a goaltender (564).
“Cam has been a major face of the Hurricanes both on the ice and in our community for more than a decade,” executive vice president and general manager Ron Francis said.
“We are happy he has chosen to continue his career in Carolina.”
Ward, 32, finished the 2015-16 season with a 23-17-10 record, a 2.41 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage in 52 games played.
His goals-against average was his second-best single-season mark of his career, and his wins and games played totals were his best since 2011-12.
After missing time due to injury in December, Ward returned to the net on Dec. 18.
From then until the end of the season he posted an NHL seventh-best 2.19 goals-against average while compiling a 14-9-7 record and .919 save percentage in 30 games played.
He ranks sixth among active NHL goaltenders, 43rd in league history in wins, and is fifth among active goaltenders in games played.
Ward’s 269 wins with the Hurricanes ranks third among active goaltenders with one team, and 17th in league history with one team.