The Los Angeles Kings wrapped up the 2024-25 regular season on Thursday night against the Calgary Flames. The outcome of the game didn't matter much to the Kings in terms of the playoff seedings, and the focus was on making sure the team is as healthy as possible going into the first game of the series against the Edmonton Oilers.
With key players sitting, this opened the door for some players like Akil Thomas, who has been on the Kings roster most of the season, to see extended ice time. The Kings would also call up Taylor Ward from the Ontario Reign and he would play in his first career NHL game.
In the end, there wasn't much to cheer about as the Flames would win 5-1 on Thursday night, but for Taylor Ward, it is a game he will never forget. Midway through the third period, the Kings were on the power play, and Ward was able to get the rebound off Jordan Spence's shot
TAYLOR WARD FIRST NHL GOAL!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/8BvYVwHEW1
— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 18, 2025
In the highlight, the camera showed Taylor's dad, Dixon Ward, who was a professional hockey player and actually played for the Los Angeles Kings. He would appear in 34 games with the Kings during the 1993-94 season and had six goals.
The goal was not only a huge milestone for Taylor Ward but also made franchise history. With Ward just playing in this game, Taylor and Dixon are the first father-son duo to play a game for the Los Angeles Kings. They can also claim to be the only father-son duo to score a goal for the Los Angeles Kings.
He was an undrafted free agent when the Kings signed him in 2022 and has spent the past few seasons with the Ontario Reign, with 35 goals in 223 games in the AHL. Taylor Ward will return to the Ontario Reign to help that team as they try to make a run through the Calder Cup Playoffs.