Former Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) student-athlete Taylor Ward has signed a National Hockey League (NHL) contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
Ward originally joined OHA in 2011/12 with their U15 Prep team. He would spend that season, and the next, recording 143 points in 110 games. He would return to OHA’s U16 Prep team in 2013/14, now part of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). In 24 CSSHL games Ward would tally 12 goals and 20 assists, leading his team with 34 points. In 2014/15 Ward would win a CSSHL U18 Prep Championship with the OHA White team, finishing tied for lead in team scoring with 50 points in 28 games.
The Kelowna, BC forward would join the Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2015/16 where he would tally 9 points in 56 games. He would follow that up with a 23-point season as the Vees captured a BCHL Championship. He would return to the Vees in 2017/18, finishing with 44 points in 46 games.
In 2018/19 Ward suited up for the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he would produce 27 points in 35 games played. That season Ward was named to the NCAA (NCHC) All-Rookie Team and earned NCAA (NCHC) Rookie of the Year honours. In 2019/20 Ward would make the NCAA (NCHC) Honorable Mention All-Star Team with 22 points in 26 games. In 38 NCAA Division I games this season, Ward led his team in goals (19) and points (39).
Ward has since joined the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the remainder of the season, having recorded three assists in two games.
Ward is the son of former NHLer and current OHA staff member Dixon Ward.