Catherine Ward

Biography

After competing with the national under-22 team for several years, Catherine Ward became a member of Canada’s National Women’s Team in 2009 and debuted at the IIHF Women’s World Championship that same year. She now has one gold and three silver medals in world championship competition. Ward made her Olympic debut as a member of the gold medal-winning team at Vancouver 2010. At Sochi 2014 she played 121 minutes and 14 seconds, the most ice time of anyone on Team Canada en route to her second Olympic gold medal.

Ward began her collegiate career at McGill University. During her freshman year in 2006-07 she was named CIS Rookie of the Year and helped the Martlets reach the gold medal game of the CIS championship. She then led McGill to back-to-back CIS national titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09, being named CIS Championship MVP during the second title run.

After being centralized with the national team in the lead up to Vancouver 2010, Ward transferred to Boston University in 2010-11 and helped the team reach the championship game of the NCAA Frozen Four. After graduation she was drafted by the Montreal Stars of the CWHL and the team won the Clarkson Cup in 2011-12. The following season the Stars returned to the Clarkson Cup final. Ward also led all defencemen in scoring in 2012-13 and she was named CWHL Defenceman of the Year.

Getting to know…

Getting into the Sport: Started playing hockey when she was five… Her father and brother both played so she spent a lot of time in rinks, making it natural for her to want to play as well… They would also play on outdoor rinks until they couldn’t feel their toes…Outside Interests: Earned her International MBA from Boston University in 2011… Enjoys cooking, music and travelling…Odds and Ends: Had her Olympic dream sparked by watching Team Canada overcome adversity to beat Team USA at Salt Lake City 2002… Walking into the Opening Ceremony at Vancouver 2010 it really hit her that she had achieved her dream… Always needs her pre-game coffee…