Nashville, TN -- (Sports Network) - The Nashville Predators have signed forward Joel Ward to a two-year, $3 million contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Ward, 28, recorded 17 goals and 18 assists in 79 games with the Predators last season. It was his first full NHL season, after he appeared in 11 contests with the Minnesota Wild in 2006-07.

Prior to signing with Nashville last offseason, Ward spent three seasons in the Wild organization.