Jason Ward

Jason Robert Ward (born January 16, 1979) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays with EHC Black Wings Linz in the Austrian Hockey League. He has formerly played 336 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was drafted by the Canadiens in the first round, 11th overall, of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Ward was drafted 11th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He has played 186 career NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings, scoring 20 goals and 28 assists for 48 points. When he was traded to the Kings, the deal sent agitator Sean Avery to the Rangers providing them boost for a playoff push. On February 27, 2007, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, making the third time he was traded during the 2006–07 season. He scored his first Lightning goal in his debut with the team.

After completing the 2009–10 season in the American Hockey League with Philadelphia Flyers affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, Ward was unable to garner a new NHL contract for the following 2010–11 season. In order to maintain game shape, Ward voluntarily took on a position as an assistant coach for major junior team the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League while on the lookout for a new contract. On November 15, 2010, Ward signed a one-year contract with Austrian team, EHC Black Wings Linz, of the EBEL.