Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Taylor Ward!
Taylor Ward
Birthdate: March 31, 1998
Birthplace: Kelowna, British Columbia
Height: 6’2
Weight: 194 lbs
Position: Right wing
Shoots: Right
Draft: Undrafted
2024-25 season
Taylor Ward completed his third full season playing in a middle-six role for the Ontario Reign. Ward played in 66 games for the Reign and tallied 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points. His 12 goals were a career high since turning pro late in the 2021-22 season. Ward was a valuable asset for the Reign, being deployed against the opposition’s best players as a shutdown line at 5v5, penalty kill, and occasionally on the second power-play unit.
Taylor “Top Shelf” Ward #ReignTrain I #CGYvsONT pic.twitter.com/zQCkTxPywB
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 22, 2025
Ward also made his NHL debut in the final game of the regular season for the Kings, scoring the team’s lone goal for his first NHL goal. He would be loaned back to the Reign in time for their regular-season finale against the Abbotsford Canucks and the two playoff games against the San Jose Barracuda. He was held off the scoresheet in the two playoff games.
TAYLOR WARD FIRST NHL GOAL!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/8BvYVwHEW1
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 18, 2025
2025-26 outlook
Ward is back with the organization on a one-year, two-way contract. He’s most certainly going to be assigned to the Reign, but will have to clear waivers first. If Ward passes through waivers, new coach Andrew Lord is getting a valuable and gritty player. I don’t expect his role to change heading into the season.
Run it back, Wardo! 🙌
The @LAKings have re-signed forward Taylor Ward to a two-way contract for the 2025-26 season!
📰 https://t.co/6ubOnzJpss pic.twitter.com/yBtsOHycKQ
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) July 2, 2025
Featured image credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP