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| news | | | articles | | | interviews |
| Aaron Ward chooses to stick with Bruins |
| May 22, 2008 |
| Source: Stephen Harris | http://www.bostonherald.com |
| The unanticipated success of the Bruins [team stats] in 2007-08 was due in large part to the chemistry of the team, both in on-ice performance and off-ice personalities. Most everything about the team just somehow worked, the sum of the parts was greater than the individual pieces. |
| An integral part of that chemistry was veteran defenseman Aaron Ward, the prospective unrestricted free agent who on Tuesday signed a new contract with the B’s - reportedly for two years, $5 million - and yesterday joined general manager Peter Chiarelli on a conference call to talk about the deal. |
| "I didn’t want to get to free agency, knowing that the Boston Bruins as an organization are going in a great direction and I want to be part of it," Ward said. "I'm thrilled now that going into the summer my family and I can sit back and relax and know that we’re going to be part of the Boston Bruins for a while." |
| Ward’s desire to remain a Bruin perhaps led him to sign a smaller contract than he might have received had he hit the open market July 1. The 35-year-old had five goals (three game-winners) and eight assists in 65 regular-season games. |
| "I believe Aaron took a little less money to stay here than he could have gotten elsewhere," Chiarelli said. "I'm very happy with Aaron for doing that. He fits in with what we’re trying to accomplish here." |
| A smart, physical and effective defender, the three-time Stanley Cup winner (twice with Detroit, once with Carolina) was a key contributor in the down-low defensive system installed by first-year coach Claude Julien. |
| Asked yesterday to compare these Bruins to his championship Red Wings and Hurricanes squads, Ward spoke about the increase in confidence as the season went on, especially during the seven-game first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. |
| "The biggest comparison to the teams I played on when we won was the way we finished the season," Ward said. "You achieve a level of confidence as a group. We went through an experience in the playoffs, as much as it hurt that we lost a Game 7, we as a whole - coaching staff, players, everyone - we went through a battle and we learned how to win. That’s the biggest thing going forward that will benefit this organization." |
| Ward marveled at the response of Bruins fans. |
| "As a player you always like to be the center of attention," he said. "You'd like your game, your team, your play, to be making some impact on the city. For us, it was lightning. We saw how when you start to perform, you bring people along on the same ride you're on. The people of Boston have talked since I've been here about what they want out of us, what they expected. The fans were just looking for a reason to jump on the bandwagon. The fans taught us a lesson that if you put your best foot forward and perform, they'll be there for you. |
| "You've got to embrace the challenge. The Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics have set a high standard. The onus is on us to try and match their efforts." |