Joel Ward Makes AHL History
Joel Ward, a former NHL forward and longtime assistant with the Vegas Golden Knights, has been appointed head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Golden Knights. He succeeds Ryan Craig, who was recently promoted to a senior coaching role with the NHL club.
Ward’s playing career spanned 11 NHL seasons, during which he accumulated 304 points in 726 regular‑season games and added 52 points in 83 playoff appearances. He is remembered for a Game 7 overtime goal against Boston in 2012 and for helping the San Jose Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
His coaching path began in the AHL with Henderson, where he served as an assistant from 2020 to 2023 before stepping into the head‑coach position. Ward also spent the 2023‑24 season on the Golden Knights’ bench and recently completed the NHL Coaches’ Association’s program aimed at increasing diversity in coaching.
The hiring makes Ward the AHL’s only current Black head coach and only the second African‑American to hold the post in its 90‑year history, following Dirk Graham, who remains the league’s sole Black coach to have led an NHL team.
Ward’s elevation reflects the organization’s confidence in his blend of playing experience, playoff pedigree and recent development work, positioning him to shape the next generation of talent within the franchise.