NHL ENTRY DRAFT

June 22, 1996

Lance Ward

I guess a little bit surprised, but I guess I am a pretty happy kid right now, and I guess you never know what happens in the draft and it was a pretty open field, I guess. I guess they liked me, so here I am.

A little bit surprised. It was this early and I mean there is a lot of great players in the draft, but I mean -- so I haven't got their name called, so I mean there is a lot of great guys out there.

They through me on and did a bunch of physical testing and a little interview with me. I felt I did pretty good down there. Obviously. I did.

It was about a month ago. About a month ago out in Toronto, made us run on a treadmill and do some other testing, and I guess they -- I guess I did pretty good at that, so...

I don't know what, I guess. I guess they take care of my -- I don't mind jumping in the offense, scoring a few goals throughout the year my physical play has increased a lot.

He is not that big of a guy, but he takes the body hard and he is a great player.

Rich Winter?

He plays hockey all the time. He played the university of football in Montana and but he coached me when I was younger and he has always helped me out and took me to the outdoor rinks and taught me how to shoot a puck, so I owe him a lot of thanks. He is at home watching me on TV right now.

Don't know anyone, but it should be fun.

No, when I was really young, I guess, in Pee Wee I turned to a defenseman, so I guess most of my life had been defenseman, I guess so...

For sure, that is -- I mean, I think I fit right in in that style of play and hopefully somebody can step in and help them out.

I guess it depends -- I am going to go to camp and do my best and I mean you got to go there with every intention of making the team. You never know. I am still pretty young. Those guys are, I guess, old enough to be -- some of them are old enough to be my father, but I don't know, we will see. Going to work hard this summer and try and get as strong as I can and go to camp and see what I can do.

I guess I was hoping first round. I guess you never know what was going to happen. I mean, it is certainly nice going that high, but I mean, I haven't proven anything yet. I have to go to camp and do my best and try my best just like the next guy.

I don't know a whole bunch, but hopefully I will in a little while here.

I think I need to improve on my agility and get to short places in a short period of time, just continue to play physical, you can always work on getting stronger, and it is just getting stronger and tougher and a little mean, in other words, always helps out. So...