Former Hounds forward Ward makes NCAA DI commitment

July 11, 2014

Former NAPHL and West Michigan Hounds forward Keegan Ward has committed to play NCAA Division I collegiate hockey at Northern Michigan University. Northern Michigan are members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

 

Ward played in the NAPHL during the 2012-13 season and currently plays for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL.

 

Ward was selected by the Lincoln Stars in the sixth round (86th overall) of Phase One in the 2013 USHL Draft and entered the League as a 16-year-old last fall.  He appeared in 25 games for the Stars during the 2013-14 season, recording three points (1g, 2a) and 68 penalty minutes.  He netted his first USHL goal during the 7-4 victory against the Des Moines Buccaneers on March 21st. 

 

The Galesburg, Michigan native is set to return to the Stars for the 2014-15 season.  He came to the USHL after playing Tier I Midget hockey for the West Michigan Hounds 18U program in the NAPHL and will return to his home state when his college career begins.

 

During his one NAPHL season in 2012-13, Ward, who is just 17-years-old, played for both the 18U and 16U Hounds teams during the regular season. In 10 games, with the 16U team, Ward (6’3/180) recorded one point, but was more productive with the 18U team with three points in eight regular season games. He also recorded two points in four 18U playoff games during the 2013 NAPHL Championship Series.