Tomáš Vokoun: 1999 – 2007 (Left), Joel Ward: 2009 – 2011 (Top Right), Mark Van Guilder: 2014 (Bottom Right).
We're in the 20's now boys…
Tomáš Vokoun was drafted 226th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1994. Vokoun was left unprotected by the Canadiens and was one of 5 Goalies selected in the 1998 Expansion Draft. He would make 383 appearances (starts unavailable) for the Preds, amassing 161 wins with a .913 SV% and a 2.55 GAA. After leaving Nashville, Vokoun would play another 6 seasons with the Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Joel Ward went undrafted and would sign a one-year contract with the Nashville Predators on July 15th, 2008. He would play 230 games, scoring 40 goals and 58 assists. He would play for another 7 seasons with the Washington Capitals and the San Jose Sharks. He is currently an Assistant Coach with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Mark Van Guilder went undrafted and would play 1 game with the Preds.
by PrimarisBladeguard
5 Comments
Joel Ward will always be one of my favorite players.
I don’t even want to fathom how unwatchable some of those early years would’ve been without Vokoun.
He wasn’t Pekka levels of talented and didn’t have the success he had, but for my money is still a first ballot inductee in the hypothetical Preds HOF.
VOKOUUUUUUUUUUUN
The fucking man. Vokouns playing style was my favorite.
Joel Ward is in my top 5 favorite Nashville players all time. I pulled so hard for San Jose in 2016 because I wanted that man to win the cup.