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"In past years as much as it was really neat to be able to listen to, talk with, and ask questions of the pro players, coaches ect the best seminars were the ones that Troy did himself this past summer. The seminars were much more on a very personal level for the parents and player alike. He made his 'statements' in such a way as to catch the skaters attention and really make them think about their individual hockey approach. Troy talked to the fathers in a way to make them realize that their skaters next steps for a hockey future needs to be the skaters strides, not the parents. It was not a forceful speech but it should have made all the parents sit up and think. there are way too many hockey parents in this great sport that need to hear Troy. Not just listen, but really hear what he was saying "
~Chuck Smalley~
troy g ward
troy g. ward

Troy Ward is a respected leader in hockey circles and is currently assistant coach for the Houston Aeros — the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. Also a former NHL coach, his experience in coaching and managing non-pro hockey encompasses all levels, from Youth up through High School, Junior A, Collegiate and Minor Pro. Hockey has been core to this Minnesota native’s life, and he’ll continue giving back to the game that has earned its place as one of America’s favorite participant and spectator sports.

Ward has an active involvement in the future of hockey at all levels. In 2005 he became Vice President of Hockey Operations with Next Testing, a leader in developing comprehensive, sport-specific testing programs to provide both recruiting organizations and athletes with tools for understanding performance. His ability to build teams and shape winners is proven; in three seasons at the University of Wisconsin he brought what was a losing team from the WCHA to the 2006 NCAA national championship.

A businessman with proven acumen, Ward’s experience includes building Hockey and Sons into one of the greatest success stories for sports enthusiasts in the Midwest. The program celebrates its 10th year this summer, and participation has increased by more than 75% since its inception, with a family retention rate of approximately 75%. Ward has two teenage boys of his own in the program, a fact that contributes to his sharp understanding of aspiring hockey stars and their needs.

Ward’s own career started when he was made Captain of the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 1984 NAIA championship team. He then went on to coach his alma mater for three seasons, before taking over as head coach at a relatively young 25 years of age. From there he went on to become general manager and head coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he led his team to a third-place finish in the 1995 National Junior “A” Tournament, and coached 18 players who went on to play collegiate hockey with Division I scholarships. Ward’s success reached a new level when he earned Northern Conference Coach of the Year honors and led his Trenton (NJ) Titans to a Conference title in 2001.

Other stints in professional hockey include three years as assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (1997-2000), senior VP and Director of Hockey Operations for the East Coast Hockey League (2001-02), and assistant coach of the Indianapolis Ice (1995-97).

To diversify his experience with every aspect of the game, Ward has also worked as a broadcaster and acted as a game analyst for radio coverage of the Milwaukee Admirals for 2 years. He also has worked in TV handling coverage of college hockey. Today, Troy has taken on a new challenge as the assistant coach of the Houston Aeros (the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild).

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