Former Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward has announced his retirement from the league after spending the last season of his 13-year career between the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks. He won three Stanley Cups in his career.

Ward joined the Bruins in a February 2007 trade with the Rangers that sent Belmont native Paul Mara to New York. Ward played 20 games with the Bruins that season and spent the next two in Boston, totaling 26 points with the team. He was traded to the Hurricanes last offseason in exchange for Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round draft pick.

While in Boston, Ward also created his “Cuts for a Cause” charity event with what was at the time WBCN 104.1 FM. In its two year history, which began in 2008, the Bruins had seven and 13 players shave their heads, respectively, to benefit the MassGeneral Hospital for Children.