Edmonton Rush Lacrosse

How Acquired: Traded with Justin Norbraten, Scott Self and Richard Morgan to the Rush from Minnesota in exchange for Ryan Benesch, Scott Self, and first-round pick in 2009 NLL Entry Draft.
Other teams played for in the NLL: Philadelphia and Minnesota
Years NLL Experience: 10
Position: Forward
Shoots: Right            
Height: 5’9                  
Weight: 190 lbs
Born: Victoria, BC    
Currently Resides: Chanhassen, Minnesota 

Nickname:  Wardo
Birthday: September 26 ,1980
Age: 33          
Occupation: PE/Health Teacher- Lacrosse Camp Director  College: Butler University
Twitter: @RyanWard44

2012 with the Rush: Notched a hat trick including a power-play and shorthanded goal plus three assists and six loose balls in season-opening 13-12 L vs. Colorado 01/20 … Registered four assists and three balls in 16-5 W at Washington 01/28 … Picked up four assists and a pair of loose balls in 11-7 L at Colorado 02/04 … Scored twice including a power-play goal and added one assist and one loose ball in 10-9 OTL at Minnesota 02/10 … Had a goal and two assists plus two loose balls in 12-8 L at Calgary 02/18 … Earned a goal and three assists plus three loose balls in 12-10 vs. Philadelphia 02/24 … Picked up one assist and one loose ball in 13-10 L vs. Calgary 03/09 … Scored on the power-play and added two assists in 16-9 L at Calgary 03/10 … Notched second hat trick of the season including a shorthanded marker to go with four assists for season-high seven points plus five loose balls in 16-15 L at Philadelphia 03/17 … Picked up three assists and scooped two loose balls in 10-9 W vs. Washington 03/24 … Scored once and added three assists and three loose balls in 9-8 OTW vs. Minnesota 03/31 … Racked up third hat trick of the season including one power-play marker plus four loose balls in 12-8 L at Toronto 04/07 … Registered one goal plus four assists and one loose ball in 11-8 W vs. Buffalo 04/14 … Scored game-winning goal in fourth quarter and added one assist in 14-11 W at Colorado 04/20 … Notched power-play marker plus one assist and one loose ball in 9-6 L vs. Calgary 04/21 … Scored on the power play and chipped in two assists and one loose ball in 12-11 L vs. Toronto 04/28 … Ended regular season as team’s second-leading scorer with 57 points … PLAYOFFS: Set Rush team record for points in a single game with 11 coming on five goals and six assists in 19-11 W at Calgary in West Division Semifinal … Racked up four goals including one power-play tally plus three assists in 15-3 W at Minnesota in West Division Final … Scored once and added two assists and three loose balls in 9-6 L at Rochester in Champion’s Cup Final … Finished the playoffs as top scorer in the NLL with 21 points.

Career Highlights: Played in 2007 and 2008 NLL All-Star Games … Named NLL Offensive Player of the Week for Week 12 of 2006 season for 10-point game against Portland … Named NLL Rookie of the Week in Week 8 and to the NLL All-Rookie Team in 2004 … Originally selected third overall by Philadelphia in 2003 NLL Entry Draft … Played previous summer seasons with Victoria (WLA) and won Mann Cup Senior ‘A’ national championship in 2003 and 2005 … Named WLA’s most valuable player in 2003 … Chosen second overall in 2004 Collegiate Draft by Rochester (MLL) … Played NCAA field lacrosse with Butler University and named team captain in senior season. Still holds school record for assists …

FAVOURITE

TV Show:  Seinfeld
Movie:  Silence of Lambs, Shawshank Redemption, Lonesome Dove, Braveheart
Food: Sushi or Filet – I heard “Steak & Eggs” was  good
Hobbies:  Spending time with daughter, coaching lacrosse, weights, reading, tennis

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

It’s Sunday morning, what are you having for breakfast?  Irish Oatmeal (home) or Banana Pecan Pancakes with Thick-cut Bacon, egg whites (restaurant).  Also several cups of coffee!
If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be? Something in the business world.
Who’s your hero? I don’t have a hero but I have lots of people I respect or admire
Twitter or Facebook? Not really into either- but lean more towards Twitter.
Dogs or Cats? Flip-a-coin
If you could see one concert, what would it be? Zac Brown Band & Kenny Chesney (going in July!)
What’s the best thing about Edmonton? Hard working people or my favorite Edmontonian - Myrna Januario
What do you know about Edmonton? So much it would take too long to list
What’s the one gadget you can’t live without? Iphone
Book or video game? Book
What’s your culinary specialty? Anything on the grill
Where do you like to vacation? Florida
How do you take your Tim Horton’s? Med coffee, 1 cream, 1 splenda
Who’s the funniest person you know? Pat Shook
What’s your dream car? 68/69 Chevy Pick-up Truck  (fully restored)
What is your proudest moment? Being a father
What’s the one thing you haven’t done that you’d love to do? Win a NLL Championship
If we’re buying, you’re having? Steak (12oz Filet)
What are your words to live by? “If you can look at tomorrow without fear & yesterday without regret then you are on the road to success.”
What's the best movie you've seen recently? Girl with Dragon Tattoo
What traditions or rituals are important to your team? Pre-Season Team bonding sporting event
What was the first car you drove? 1984 Bonneville- courtesy of Reg Midgley
What music is played most often in your locker room? Rap
What's the first job you ever had? Construction with my dad- Actually it was picking up “scrap” or stacking wood.
What's something you recently started liking? Cross-fit
If you could add one hour to your day, what would you do with it?  Time with family
Which opponent is typically the toughest to play against? Kyle Rubisch in practice
What's your favorite quotation of all-time? “Good is the Enemy of Great.”
What are your current must-watch TV shows? A Football Life (Documentaries of former NFL Players)
Who is the one person you've met who left you completely starstruck? Ainsley Lane Ward
What do you like to snack on during the day? Rice Cakes & Peanut Butter or Honeycrisp Apple
What's the number one team rule that all players need to adhere to? Be on time.
What's one thing you really enjoy, but wish you could do better? Swim Dodge
Who is the funniest player on your team? I think Mark Matthews might be pretty funny.