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Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd
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Andrew Joseph Ladd (born December 12, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Key Information

Ladd was drafted in 2004 by the Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006. He won the Stanley Cup for a second time in 2010 with the Blackhawks.

Playing career

[edit]

Junior

[edit]
Ladd during his first stint with the Chicago Blackhawks in November 2009

Ladd began his junior hockey career with the Coquitlam Express. He then progressed to the major junior Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Calgary Hitmen after being traded from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for Jamison Orr. He recorded 75 points in his rookie season, tops among first-year players and 15th in WHL scoring. His +39 plus/minus led the league, earning him the WHL Plus-Minus Award. In the off-season, Ladd was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Professional

[edit]

Carolina Hurricanes

[edit]

Ladd turned professional after two seasons with the Hitmen in 2005–06 with the Lowell Lock Monsters, the Hurricanes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He was called up to the Hurricanes in November, making his NHL debut, but soon suffered a knee injury in December which sidelined him until February. Ladd was assigned back to the Lowell Lock Monsters until March when he was recalled to join the Hurricanes for their playoff run. He contributed 5 points in 17 post-season games helping the Hurricanes to their first Stanley Cup championship. Ladd is also remembered for injuring Edmonton Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Due to the injuries sustained in the collision, Roloson was unable to resume play for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The following season, in 2006–07, Ladd solidified a roster spot with the Hurricanes, but suffered an injury for a second straight season, undergoing an emergency appendectomy on December 14, 2006. He finished the campaign with 21 points in 65 games.

Chicago Blackhawks

[edit]

In the midst of his third NHL season, Ladd was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline on February 26, 2008, in exchange for Tuomo Ruutu. By joining the Blackhawks, Ladd was reunited with three former minor hockey teammates, Troy Brouwer, Brent Seabrook and Colin Fraser, who all played together with the Pacific Vipers.[1]

Ladd enjoyed a breakout season with the Blackhawks in the 2008–09 season having finished the season with 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 points in all 82 games as the Blackhawks as a team finished the season as the fourth seed in the Western Conference to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Ladd and the Blackhawks would make a surprisingly deep playoff run in the 2009 playoffs by defeating the fifth-seeded Calgary Flames and upset the third-seeded Vancouver Canucks in the first two rounds in six games in each series but then would fall to the defending Stanley Cup Champion and second-seeded Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals in five games.[2]

In a game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 7, 2010, Ladd scored his first NHL hat trick, though Detroit won the game 5–4. Ladd maintained his durability during the 2009–10 season having finished the season playing in all 82 games once more with 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points recorded as the Blackhawks continued to strive as a team having clinched the second seed in the Western Conference. Ladd and the Blackhawks would go on another lengthy playoff run by defeating the seventh-seeded Nashville Predators in six games, the third-seeded Vancouver Canucks in the six games in the second round for the second straight year and sweeping the top-seeded San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals before defeating the seventh-seeded Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals as the Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup since 1961 and fourth in franchise history and the second Stanley Cup of Ladd's career.[3] Ladd missed the first three games of the Finals with a shoulder injury in Game 4 of the previous series against the Sharks as a result from a collision with Sharks’ forward Patrick Marleau before returning to the lineup for the final three games of the series against the Flyers and eventually finished the 2010 playoffs playing in 19 games with three goals and three assists for six points.[4][5]

Ladd as captain of the Winnipeg Jets in March 2013

Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets

[edit]

On July 1, 2010, in a salary-cap move, Ladd was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenceman Ivan Vishnevskiy and Atlanta's second-round choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (used to select Adam Clendening), joining Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel, who had been traded from the Blackhawks a week earlier. During the 2010–11 season, on November 18, Ladd was named as the captain of the Thrashers, with Byfuglien and Tobias Enström as alternates. Ladd was awarded the team MVP award at the completion of the season.[6] On November 21, Ladd recorded his 100th NHL assist on a goal by Dustin Byfuglien in a 2–1 overtime win over the New York Islanders. He ended the season with 29 goals and 30 assists for 59 points in 81 games.

On July 5, 2011, Ladd signed a five-year, US$22 million contract with the franchise, as they became the Winnipeg Jets.[7] On November 25, Ladd scored his 100th NHL goal in a 3–1 win over his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes on Hurricanes' goaltender and former teammate Cam Ward.[8] He finished the 2011–12 season with 28 goals and 22 assists for 50 points in all 82 games played.

On October 26, 2014, Ladd recorded his 200th NHL assist on a goal by Bryan Little in a 2–1 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche.[9] Ladd ended the season with 24 goals and 38 assists for 62 points in 81 games leading the team in assists and points as the Jets qualified for the playoffs for the first time since relocating from Atlanta as the team finished as the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference. In the first round of the 2015 playoffs, Ladd and the Jets would face the top-seeded Anaheim Ducks who would go on to sweep the Jets in four games.[10] Ladd would finish the series goalless with one assist for one point on all four games.

On February 18, 2016, in a 6–5 shootout loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ladd scored his 200th NHL goal on Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.[11]

Return to Chicago

[edit]

In the 2015–16 season, in the final year of his contract and with the Jets out of playoff contention, on February 25, 2016, Ladd was traded back to the Blackhawks (along with Jay Harrison and Matt Fraser) in exchange for Marko Daňo and a 2016 first-round draft pick.[12] As a trade deadline rental for the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, Ladd appeared in the final 19 games of the season for the Blackhawks, where he recorded eight goals and four assists for 12 points and generally skated with captain Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw on the team's first line. Ladd also played in all seven of the Blackhawks games in the 2016 playoffs in their first round exit in seven games to the St. Louis Blues, tallying one goal and one assist.[13]

Ladd with the Islanders in October 2016

New York Islanders

[edit]

On July 1, 2016, Ladd signed as a free agent to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the New York Islanders.[14] Despite hoping to replace the Islanders' losses of Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen to free agency, Ladd struggled in his first few games with the Islanders, going his first five games without a point and his first 12 games without a goal. The subpar performance of Ladd and other Islanders players led to the mid-season firing of head coach Jack Capuano on January 17, 2017. At the time of the firing, Ladd had eight goals and four assists in 40 games, but under new head coach Doug Weight, Ladd's performance increased. Ladd scored 15 goals in the next 38 games. He finished the 2016–17 season with 23 goals, eight assists, and 31 points in 78 games played as the Islanders narrowly missed the playoffs, missing by just one point.

He would finish the 2017–18 season with 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 73 contests played.

In November 2018, Ladd sustained a torn meniscus, resulting in him missing the next 44 games.[15] On March 26, 2019, it was announced that Ladd, after appearing in 26 games through the season, would miss the remainder of the 2018–19 season and the 2019 playoffs due to a torn ACL and MCL.[16]

On November 14, 2019, Ladd was placed on waivers by the Islanders and was then assigned to the Islanders' AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, on November 15.[17][18] On December 21, 2019, Ladd was recalled to the Islanders to replace injured Islanders winger Cal Clutterbuck.

In January 2021, in preparation for the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Ladd was re-assigned to directly join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers training camp.[19][20]

Arizona Coyotes

[edit]

Following the fifth season of his contract with the Islanders, Ladd's tenure with the club ended when he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes on July 17, 2021. The Islanders also sent Arizona second-round selections in 2021 and 2022 and a conditional third-round pick in 2023.[21][22] On February 20, 2022, in a 3–1 win over the Dallas Stars, Ladd suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury, causing him to miss the next 18 games.[23] He played his 1,000th NHL game on April 20, against his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks at Gila River Arena.[24] Ladd would miss the final four games of the season due to an undisclosed lower-body injury in a 2–0 loss to the Washington Capitals on April 22. He finished the 2021–22 season playing in 51 games with seven goals and five assists for 12 points. At the seasons end, Ladd was named the Coyotes nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy but was ultimately not named a top three finalist by the NHL.[25]

Prior to the 2022–23 season, it was announced Ladd failed his physical due to a nagging knee issue and would spend the last year of his contract on the injured reserve.[26]

On September 10, 2023, Ladd announced his retirement from the NHL.[27]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2005 Grand Forks

During his junior career, Ladd played for Team Canada at the 2005 World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, North Dakota where he was joined by former minor hockey and future Chicago Blackhawks teammates Colin Fraser and Brent Seabrook. The trio helped Canada win their first gold medal of a five-year championship run. He was chosen as an alternative captain for team Canada at the 2011 IIHF tournament.

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2001–02 Port Coquitlam Buckaroos PIJHL 42 15 22 37 49 — — — — —
2001–02 Vancouver Giants WHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2002–03 Coquitlam Express BCHL 58 15 40 55 61 — — — — —
2003–04 Calgary Hitmen WHL 71 30 45 75 119 7 1 6 7 10
2004–05 Calgary Hitmen WHL 65 19 26 45 167 12 7 4 11 18
2005–06 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 25 11 8 19 61 — — — — —
2005–06 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 29 6 5 11 4 17 2 3 5 4
2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 65 11 10 21 46 — — — — —
2007–08 Albany River Rats AHL 2 1 0 1 4 — — — — —
2007–08 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 43 9 9 18 31 — — — — —
2007–08 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 20 5 7 12 4 — — — — —
2008–09 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 82 15 34 49 28 17 3 1 4 12
2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 82 17 21 38 67 19 3 3 6 12
2010–11 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 81 29 30 59 39 — — — — —
2011–12 Winnipeg Jets NHL 82 28 22 50 64 — — — — —
2012–13 Winnipeg Jets NHL 48 18 28 46 22 — — — — —
2013–14 Winnipeg Jets NHL 78 23 31 54 57 — — — — —
2014–15 Winnipeg Jets NHL 81 24 38 62 72 4 0 1 1 4
2015–16 Winnipeg Jets NHL 59 17 17 34 39 — — — — —
2015–16 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 19 8 4 12 6 7 1 1 2 16
2016–17 New York Islanders NHL 78 23 8 31 45 — — — — —
2017–18 New York Islanders NHL 73 12 17 29 24 — — — — —
2018–19 New York Islanders NHL 26 3 8 11 16 — — — — —
2018–19 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 2 1 4 5 2 — — — — —
2019–20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 34 11 3 14 10 — — — — —
2019–20 New York Islanders NHL 4 1 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Arizona Coyotes NHL 51 7 5 12 47 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,001 256 294 550 615 65 9 9 18 48

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2005 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 3 4 7 2
2011 Canada WC 5th 7 0 0 0 2
2012 Canada WC 5th 8 1 4 5 2
2013 Canada WC 5th 8 3 3 6 4
Junior totals 6 3 4 7 2
Senior totals 23 4 7 11 8

Awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Andrew Ladd

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Andrew Joseph Ladd (born December 12, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), appearing in 1,001 games and accumulating 550 points (256 goals and 294 assists). Drafted fourth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, he debuted with the team during the 2005–06 season and contributed to their Stanley Cup victory that year, scoring two goals and three assists for five points in 17 playoff games. Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008, Ladd helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2010, adding six points (three goals and three assists) in 19 postseason contests before being dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers in a salary cap maneuver later that offseason. With Atlanta, which relocated and became the Winnipeg Jets in 2011, he recorded a career-high 29 goals in the 2010–11 season and was named the team's captain on November 18, 2010, a role he retained through the franchise's transition and until his trade from the Jets in 2016, after which he signed with the New York Islanders as a free agent. Ladd spent four seasons with the Islanders, signing a seven-year contract worth $38.5 million upon arrival, before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes in 2021; he played his final NHL game in the 2021–22 season and announced his retirement on September 10, 2023, at age 37 after missing the prior year due to injury. Internationally, Ladd represented Canada at the 2005 IIHF World U20 Championship, winning gold and contributing seven points in six games.

Early life and junior career

Early life

Andrew Joseph Ladd was born on December 12, 1985, in , . He grew up in a hockey-oriented family as the middle child of three brothers—Mike, Andrew, and —his older brother Mike also pursued a hockey career, while his younger brother focused on rugby. His parents, Kim and Dave Ladd, supported the family's athletic endeavors, often attending games alongside their grandfather, whom Andrew affectionately called "." During his childhood, Ladd attended Riverside Elementary and Albion Elementary schools in Maple Ridge, where he emerged as a versatile athlete. He participated in multiple , including soccer, but gravitated toward hockey early on, beginning his organized play in the local minor hockey system with teams such as those in . This foundational period in the local rinks of laid the groundwork for his competitive drive, influenced by his brothers' involvement and the community's strong hockey culture.

Junior career

Andrew Ladd began his organized hockey career in British Columbia's minor systems, playing midget hockey for the Okanagan Chiefs and U18 A1 for in the 2000-01 season, where he recorded 91 points in 50 games. He then advanced to junior A with the Port Coquitlam Buckaroos of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL) in 2001-02, contributing 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games. In 2002-03, Ladd joined the of the (BCHL), a Junior A circuit, where he tallied 55 points (15 goals, 40 assists) in 58 games, helping the team reach the playoffs. This performance earned him a move to major junior hockey in the (WHL), debuting briefly with the in 2001-02 before transitioning fully in 2003. Ladd's breakthrough came with the starting in the 2003-04 season, his first full WHL campaign, during which he exploded offensively with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 71 games and led the league with a plus-39 rating. In the playoffs, he added 7 points in 7 games as the Hitmen advanced to the second round. His strong rookie performance led to his selection by the as the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Returning to the Hitmen for the 2004-05 season, Ladd served as an alternate captain and posted 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in 65 games despite increased physicality, evidenced by 167 penalty minutes and a plus-16 rating. In the postseason, he elevated his game with 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) in 12 games, helping reach the WHL Conference Finals. Over his two seasons with the Hitmen, Ladd established himself as a with scoring touch and defensive reliability, totaling 120 points in 136 regular-season games.

Professional career

Carolina Hurricanes

Andrew Ladd was selected by the with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, following a standout junior season with the Western Hockey League's where he recorded 75 points and led the league with a plus-39 rating. Ladd made his NHL debut during the 2005–06 season as a 19-year-old , appearing in 29 regular-season games and tallying 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points. He earned a spot on the Hurricanes' roster for the playoffs, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists in 17 games while helping the team capture the , their first championship in franchise history. Ladd's playoff performance included key contributions on the checking lines, showcasing his physicality and defensive reliability as a young forward. In the 2006–07 season, Ladd established himself as a regular, playing 65 games and posting 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points, though the Hurricanes missed the playoffs. His development continued into the 2007–08 campaign, where he recorded 9 goals and 9 assists in 43 games before being traded to the on February 26, 2008, in exchange for forward Tuomo Ruutu. Over parts of three seasons with Carolina, Ladd accumulated 26 goals and 24 assists in 137 regular-season games, along with 5 playoff points, emerging as a promising known for his size, shot, and penalty-killing ability.
SeasonTeamGPGAPts+/-PIM
2005–0629651104
2006–0765111021146
2007–08439918931
Total1372624501081
Regular-season totals with the Carolina Hurricanes.
SeasonTeamGPGAPts+/-PIM
2005–061723504
Playoff totals with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Chicago Blackhawks (first stint)

On February 26, 2008, Andrew Ladd was traded from the to the in exchange for forward Tuomo Ruutu. In his partial 2007–08 season with Chicago, Ladd appeared in 20 games, recording 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points while posting a +4 plus-minus rating. During the 2008–09 regular season, Ladd established himself as a reliable bottom-six forward, playing all 82 games and achieving career highs with 15 goals, 34 assists, and 49 points, along with a +26 plus-minus rating that reflected his strong defensive contributions. In the playoffs that year, he contributed 3 goals and 1 assist in 17 games as the Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference Finals. The following 2009–10 season saw Ladd maintain steady production with 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points in 82 games, despite a more modest +2 plus-minus. Over his two full seasons in , he totaled 99 points in 184 regular-season games, showcasing his physical style and penalty-killing prowess. In the 2010 playoffs, Ladd added 3 goals and 3 assists in 19 games, helping the Blackhawks defeat the , , and to win the on June 9, 2010—the franchise's first championship since 1961. His efforts included key physical play and contributions on the penalty kill during the Cup run. On July 1, 2010, Ladd was traded to the for defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a second-round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft (later used to select ).

Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets

On July 1, 2010, Ladd was traded from the to the in exchange for defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a second-round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. In his debut season with Atlanta during 2010–11, Ladd established himself as a key offensive leader, recording a career-high 29 goals and 59 points in 81 games while providing physical play with 39 penalty minutes. On November 18, 2010, he was named the 8th in Thrashers franchise history, succeeding and becoming the youngest captain in team history at age 24. Following the Thrashers' relocation to and rebranding as the Jets ahead of the 2011–12 season, Ladd retained his captaincy role and signed a five-year, $22 million contract extension on July 5, 2011, solidifying his commitment to the franchise. Over his five full seasons with the Jets from 2011–12 to 2015–16, Ladd captained the team through its rebuilding phase, consistently delivering as a top-line left winger with strong two-way play; he notched 20 or more goals in four of those seasons, including 28 goals in 82 games during 2011–12 and a team-leading 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 81 games in 2014–15. His leadership was instrumental in fostering team culture, particularly as the franchise returned to Winnipeg after a 15-year NHL hiatus, and he accumulated 139 goals and 166 assists across 429 regular-season games for the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise. The Jets qualified for the in 2014–15, their first postseason berth since the relocation, where Ladd recorded one assist in four games against the . However, the 2015–16 season proved challenging due to a lower-body injury that limited him to 59 games and 34 points, after which he was traded back to the on February 25, 2016, in exchange for forward Marko Daňo, a 2016 first-round draft pick (used to select Logan Stanley at 18th overall), and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. During his tenure as , Ladd helped guide the Jets to improved competitiveness, amassing over 300 points for the franchise and earning respect for his gritty style and commitment to the community.

New York Islanders

On July 1, 2016, Ladd signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract as an unrestricted with the , bringing his Stanley Cup-winning experience from previous stints with the and to bolster the team's forward depth. In his debut season with the Islanders during 2016–17, Ladd recorded 23 goals and 31 points in 78 games, providing offensive leadership on the second line despite the team's overall struggles and a minus-14 rating. His goal total marked a strong start, including key contributions in high-stakes games, though the Islanders missed the that year. Ladd's production dipped in 2017–18 to 12 goals and 29 points over 73 games, with a positive plus-11 rating reflecting improved team play, but the Islanders again failed to qualify for the postseason. Injuries began to impact his availability starting in 2018–19, limiting him to just 26 regular-season games where he tallied 11 points; he did not appear in the playoffs as the Islanders swept the in the first round before falling to the . The 2019–20 season saw further setbacks, with Ladd playing only four regular-season games (one goal) before the shortened the schedule; he did not appear in the as the Islanders lost in the second round to the . Ladd did not play in the 2020–21 regular season for the Islanders due to ongoing knee issues and was placed on long-term injured reserve, effectively sidelining him for the entire campaign as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals against the , where he made a single appearance in Game 2 with minimal ice time and no points. Over his five seasons with New York, spanning 181 regular-season games, he amassed 39 goals and 72 points, but persistent injuries curtailed his role from a top-six forward to a depth player. On July 17, 2021, the Islanders traded Ladd, along with second-round picks in 2021 and conditional selections in 2022 and 2023, to the for future considerations, ending his tenure after the fifth year of his contract amid cap management needs.
SeasonGPGAPts+/-
2016–177823831-14
2017–187312172911
2018–192638113
2019–2041012
2020–2100000
Total1813933722
Regular-season totals with the Islanders.

Chicago Blackhawks (second stint) and Arizona Coyotes

On February 25, 2016, the Chicago Blackhawks reacquired Andrew Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets in a trade that sent forward Marko Dano, a first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (used by Winnipeg to select Logan Stanley at 18th overall), and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft to Winnipeg, along with defenseman Jay Harrison and forward Matt Fraser coming to Chicago. Ladd, who had served as the Jets' captain, joined the Blackhawks as a pending unrestricted free agent to bolster their lineup ahead of the playoffs. In his second stint with the team where he had won the Stanley Cup in 2010, Ladd appeared in 19 regular-season games during the 2015–16 season, contributing 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points while averaging 17:14 of ice time per game. Ladd's return to Chicago provided immediate offensive support on a line often featuring captain and winger Marian Hossa, highlighted by a game-winning goal in a 3–2 victory over the on March 27, 2016, which clinched the Blackhawks' eighth consecutive berth. In the , the Blackhawks faced the in the first round, where Ladd recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in 6 games, registering 13 shots on goal and finishing with a minus-1 rating as Chicago was eliminated in six games. His brief but impactful return underscored his familiarity with the Blackhawks' championship culture, though the team fell short of advancing deep into the postseason. Ladd became an unrestricted at the conclusion of the 2015–16 season and signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the on July 1, 2016. After five seasons with the Islanders marked by persistent injuries, including a torn ACL in his left knee sustained on March 24, 2019, against the , Ladd was traded to the on July 17, 2021, along with the Islanders' 2021 second-round draft pick (No. 60 overall), a conditional 2022 second-round pick, and a conditional 2023 third-round pick in exchange for future considerations. The move allowed the Islanders to shed Ladd's $5.5 million cap hit amid constraints, while providing the rebuilding Coyotes with veteran leadership and depth on the wing. At 35 years old, Ladd embraced the opportunity for a fresh start in , expressing renewed motivation to reach career milestones despite ongoing recovery from multiple knee surgeries. In the 2021–22 season, Ladd's only full campaign with the Coyotes, he played in 51 games, scoring 7 goals and adding 5 assists for 12 points, with 57 shots on goal, 68 hits, and an average of 14:07 ice time per game, often contributing on the penalty kill and third line. A career highlight came on April 22, 2022, when Ladd skated in his 1,000th NHL game against the Washington Capitals, becoming the 370th player in league history to reach the mark and the 15th in franchise history for the original Winnipeg Jets/Coyotes organization. His season was cut short by a knee injury in late April 2022, which required further medical attention and sidelined him for the remainder of his playing career; Ladd did not appear in any games for Arizona during the 2022–23 season after failing his physical due to lingering knee issues and being placed on long-term injured reserve. Ladd's tenure with the Coyotes emphasized his resilience and mentorship role for younger players on a developing roster, even as physical limitations curtailed his production.

Retirement

Andrew Ladd announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on September 10, 2023, concluding a 16-year professional career that spanned six teams and included two Stanley Cup championships. At age 37, he had not appeared in a game since the 2021–22 season with the Arizona Coyotes, where a knee injury sidelined him for surgery and the entire 2022–23 campaign, leading to the expiration of his one-year contract without extension. The announcement came via a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Ladd reflected on his journey from a fourth-overall draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2004 to becoming a respected leader and scorer in the league. In his statement, Ladd expressed deep gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans across organizations like the Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Thrashers/Jets, Islanders, and Coyotes, noting, "The time has come for my next chapter" after amassing 1,001 regular-season games, 256 goals, 294 assists, and 550 points, plus 9 goals and 18 points in 65 playoff contests. His career highlights included captaining the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets, contributing to the Hurricanes' 2006 Stanley Cup win as a rookie, and adding another championship with the Blackhawks in 2010 during his first stint there. Ladd's decision followed careful consideration of his physical recovery and family priorities, marking a transition away from the rigors of elite-level play. The retirement was widely acknowledged by the NHL community, with tributes emphasizing Ladd's , resilience through injuries, and positive impact on younger players during his later years. Although he explored potential returns earlier in 2023, persistent health challenges ultimately solidified his choice to step away permanently.

International career

World Junior Championships

Andrew Ladd represented at the 2005 IIHF World U20 Championship, held in , from December 26, 2004, to January 5, 2005. As a 19-year-old forward from the of the , Ladd was selected for the roster alongside future NHL stars such as , , and , forming part of what is widely regarded as one of the most dominant teams in tournament history. entered the event as defending champions and delivered an undefeated performance, outscoring opponents 41–7 across six games to secure the gold medal with a 3–1 victory over in the final. Ladd played a supporting role on Canada's second line, centered by Getzlaf with Carter on the opposite wing, contributing to the team's offensive depth during the round-robin and medal rounds. In six games, he recorded three goals and four assists for seven points, along with a plus-11 rating and two penalty minutes, helping maintain a perfect record. This tournament marked Ladd's only appearance at the World Juniors, where his contributions helped cement 's status as the preeminent junior hockey power of the era.

IIHF World Championships

Ladd represented at the IIHF three consecutive years, from 2011 to 2013. In 23 games across these tournaments, he scored 4 goals and added 7 assists for 11 points. He was named one of Team 's top three players at the 2011 tournament in .

Winter Olympics

Ladd was invited to Hockey 's orientation camp for the in , , as one of 47 NHL players selected for the August 25–28, 2013, event in . This invitation recognized his leadership as captain of the and his strong performance in international tournaments, including multiple . Despite attending the camp, Ladd was not selected for the final 25-man roster announced on January 7, 2014. Throughout his career, Ladd expressed interest in representing Canada at the Olympics, viewing it as a significant goal alongside his NHL achievements. However, he did not participate in any Winter Olympic Games, with his international experience limited to the World Junior Championships and IIHF World Championships.

Personal life

Family

Andrew Ladd was born on December 12, 1985, in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, to parents Kim and Dave Ladd. He grew up in a family that included two adopted brothers, one diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and the other facing multiple physical and mental disabilities, experiences that later influenced his philanthropic efforts supporting individuals with special needs. Ladd married in 2011. , a doctor of , has been actively involved in community initiatives alongside her husband. The couple has three children: sons Locklan and Walker, and daughter Andi. Their second child was born in March 2014, prompting Ladd to miss a game to support his family during the delivery. Their third child, Walker Gordon Ladd, arrived in April 2016. Following Ladd's retirement from professional hockey in 2023, the family resides in , .

Philanthropy and post-retirement activities

Following his retirement from professional hockey, Andrew Ladd has focused on and advocacy in youth sports, co-founding the Ladd Foundation in 2020 with his wife, Brandy Ladd, a retired optometrist. The , registered in both and the , aims to support the mental, physical, and emotional development of young athletes by promoting resilience and well-being through sports and mentorship. Drawing from Ladd's experiences as a two-time champion, the foundation emphasizes creating supportive environments for youth, particularly in hockey, to foster growth amid challenges. The flagship program of the Ladd Foundation is the 1616 initiative, launched in 2022 to enhance mental fitness among youth hockey players aged 10-18, along with their coaches and families. This free, research-backed , developed in partnership with experts like Dr. Luc Martin, utilizes from NHL players and to teach the "buffalo mindset"—pushing through adversity for personal growth—and is structured around the 4Cs framework: Competence, Connection, Character, and . Supported by a $14 million NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund investment in community programs, 1616 provides tools for a 10-week season, including educational resources to build and reduce barriers in sports. The initiative has piloted with teams across , aiming to integrate into hockey culture from an early age. Since announcing his retirement on September 10, 2023, after 1,001 NHL games, Ladd has resided in , , with his family and deepened his commitment to these efforts. He serves as Director of Novus Global Sport, where he coaches athletes, teams, and executives on performance and mindset, skills he honed during his own recovery from injuries through mental coaching with Dan Leffelaar. Ladd continues to lead the Ladd Foundation's expansion, including 1616's growth, while sharing his insights on resilience through podcasts and panels to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Andrew Ladd appeared in 1,001 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season games over 16 seasons from 2005 to 2022, accumulating 256 goals, 294 assists, and 550 points, along with a plus/minus rating of +20 and 615 penalty minutes. His season-by-season performance is detailed in the following table:
SeasonAgeTeamGPGAPTS+/-PIMEVPPSHGWSS%TOIATOI
2005-06202965110433004314.0323:5111:10
2006-072165111021146920310910.1727:5611:12
2007-08222TM (/CHI)6314163013351310113110.7804:2612:46
2008-0923CHI821534492628150021957.71180:2114:24
2009-1024CHI821721382671700114811.51122:5713:42
2010-1125ATL81293059-10391892219514.91625:5020:04
2011-1226WPG82282250-8642440626510.61604:2419:34
2012-1327WPG4818284610221530412114.9944:4019:41
2013-1428WPG782331548571940218912.21538:3719:44
2014-1529WPG812438629721590622410.71625:5220:04
2015-16302TM (WPG/CHI)78252146-134513102318113.81475:1918:55
2016-1731NYI7823831-14451931414216.21261:4216:11
2017-1832NYI7312172911241101211210.71160:1215:54
2018-1933NYI2638113163000348.8359:5413:51
2019-2034NYI4101241000520.047:5111:58
2021-2236ARI517512-204743005712.3720:0814:07
Career1001256294550+2061519551638215111.9
Abbreviations: GP = games played; G = goals; A = assists; PTS = points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = penalty minutes; EV = even strength goals; PP = power play goals; SH = short-handed goals; GW = game-winning goals; S = shots on goal; S% = shooting percentage; TOI = time on ice; ATOI = average time on ice per game. In the playoffs, Ladd participated in 65 games across six postseasons, tallying 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points, with a plus/minus of +2 and 48 penalty minutes. He contributed to two championships with the in 2010 and 2015, though his playoff production was more limited compared to his regular season output. His postseason statistics are as follows:
SeasonAgeTeamGPGAPTS+/-PIMEVPPSHGWSS%TOIATOI
2005-0620172350420011315.4160:429:27
2008-0923CHI173143123001358.6219:3212:55
2009-1024CHI1933641230002313.0243:0512:48
2014-1529WPG4011-340000130.081:5720:29
2015-1630CHI7112-1161000283.6124:3817:48
2019-2034NYI1000-100000011:5011:50
Career659918+24890021128.0
Abbreviations as above.

International

Ladd represented internationally at the 2005 IIHF World Under-20 Championship and the IIHF World Championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2005Canada U20WJC63472+11
2011WC700020
2012WC81452+7
2013WC83364+3
Career totals: 29 GP, 7 G, 11 A, 18 Pts, 10 PIM, +21

Awards and honors

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/andrew-ladd-8471217
  2. https://www.nhl.com/news/andrew-ladd-retires-from-nhl
  3. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/6668/andrew-ladd
  4. https://thehockeywriters.com/forgotten-carolina-hurricanes-andrew-ladd/
  5. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/hockey-ties-bind-family-together/article1329877/
  6. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/trending-brothers-trying-to-get-ladd-on-nhl-cover/
  7. https://www.mapleridge.ca/parks-recreation/sport-network/hometown-heroes/andrew-ladd
  8. https://www.nhlpa.com/news/player-of-the-week-andrew-ladd/
  9. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/laddan01.html
  10. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=62622
  11. https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/jets-re-sign-captain-andrew-ladd-to-five-year-22-million-deal
  12. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/andrew-ladd-stats-with-winnipeg
  13. https://www.nhl.com/news/andrew-ladd-traded-to-blackhawks-by-jets-279150246
  14. https://www.si.com/nhl/2011/07/06/ladd-wants-to-change-minds-on-winnipeg-more-notes
  15. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/player/_/id/1585/andrew-ladd
  16. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14846875/chicago-blackhawks-get-andrew-ladd-trade-winnipeg-jets
  17. https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-van/2016/03/27/2015021131
  18. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/56/chicago-blackhawks/stats/2015-2016/playoffs
  19. https://arizonasports.com/nhl/arizona-coyotes/coyotes-acquire-andrew-ladd-3-draft-picks-in-deal-with-islanders/2729567/
  20. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2828439/2021/09/16/i-found-my-hunger-again-andrew-ladd-intends-to-prove-people-wrong-in-arizona-and-hit-a-milestone/
  21. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2022/09/andrew-ladd-fails-physical-headed-for-ltir.html
  22. https://gophnx.com/andrew-ladd-returns-to-long-island-with-new-lease-on-nhl-life/
  23. https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/andrew-ladd-announces-retirement-from-nhl
  24. https://gophnx.com/andrew-ladd-retired-but-his-work-is-just-beginning/
  25. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/andrew-ladd/70/page1
  26. https://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/seasons/2005-wjc-u20-players-stats.html
  27. https://olympic.ca/2014/12/17/world-juniors-remembering-the-2005-all-star-team/
  28. https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2058335
  29. https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/2005-canadian-world-junior-team-still-stands-as-the-countrys-best-ever/
  30. https://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/teams/team-canada-players-2005-wjc-u20-stats.html
  31. https://www.nhlpa.com/news/from-gold-medallist-to-fan-andrew-ladd-on-passing-down-the-world-juniors-tradition/
  32. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jets-captain-andrew-ladd-gets-olympic-hockey-invite-1.1414701
  33. https://globalnews.ca/news/1067835/jets-ladd-left-off-olympic-team/
  34. https://winnipegsun.com/2012/04/25/call-of-canada-special-for-ladd
  35. https://www.nhlpa.com/news/causes-hit-close-to-home-for-ladd/
  36. https://www.nhl.com/news/sitting-down-with-andrew-ladd-talks-1616-mental-health-initiative
  37. https://winnipegsun.com/2014/03/26/jets-captain-andrew-ladd-says-being-with-wife-and-newborn-was-easy-decision
  38. https://www.secondcityhockey.com/dad-goals-incoming-andrew-ladds-wife-gives-birth-won-t-have-to-miss-games-now-probably/
  39. https://1616.org/about/
  40. https://novus.global/andrewladd/
  41. https://www.linkedin.com/company/1616byfoundation
  42. https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/news/012024/ladd-foundations-1616-initiative-helping-youth-teams-focus-mental-fitness-wellbeing-1885/
  43. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-ladd-38593b210
  44. https://velawealth.com/24-the-power-of-resilience-and-a-competitive-mindset-with-andrew-ladd/
  45. https://www.quanthockey.com/whc/en/teams/team-canada-players-2011-whc-stats.html
  46. https://www.quanthockey.com/whc/en/teams/team-canada-players-2012-whc-stats.html
  47. https://www.quanthockey.com/whc/en/teams/team-canada-players-2013-whc-stats.html
  48. https://chl.ca/whl-history-awards/
  49. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2005/wm20
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