RALEIGH, N.C. -- Veteran netminder Cam Ward has been through it all with the Carolina Hurricanes, from winning a Stanley Cup championship as a rookie in 2006 to the lean years of late that have seen the team miss the playoffs every year since their last appearance, in 2009.

Although it appeared Ward's time with the franchise was coming to an end last season, he signed a two-year deal last summer, and the 32-year-old has been at the heart of a quiet renaissance in Raleigh. Ward has been in goal for 18 of Carolina's 21 wins thus far this season, and he and the young Hurricanes have crept back within a few points of a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. He sat down with ESPN.com to discuss how his young teammates have renewed his zest for hockey -- and life.

ESPN.com: What do you see in this young Hurricanes team?

Ward: I see a lot of potential. I said that coming off of last season. That was a big part of the reason why I wanted to sign here again, because of the potential, especially when I look at the defense playing in front of me. The young kids, like Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Noah Hanifin, Justin Faulk. You can go down the list.

The future is very, very bright, and I feel like they're mature beyond their years. They're able to make a big impact early in their careers, which they already have, and now this year we're seeing the young guys up front with Teuvo Teravainen, Sebastian Aho, guys that are just kids but making big impacts on our team.

ESPN.com: Does it make you feel old? Now I'm not suggesting you are old, but ...

Ward: I'm getting there.

Cam Ward says he returned to Carolina because of young teammates like Noah Hanifin. "That was a big part of the reason why I wanted to sign here again," he says, "because of the potential, especially when I look at the defense playing in front of me." Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire

ESPN.com: But when you look around, are you reminded of just how young these guys are?

Ward: Yeah, I look at them and remind myself that they're just kids. The game has changed so much. It's a young man's league now. I look back at when I broke into the league. We were such a veteran-led team when we won the Stanley Cup, with Glen Wesley, Rod Brind'Amour, Bret Hedican, Ray Whitney. Now I'm in one of those roles, but I'm only turning 33 next month.

It's a different league, but it's exciting. To be honest, they make me feel young again. The game is fun, being around these guys because they're not only good players, they're good people. I think that's what the Hurricanes preach -- not only drafting skilled players but quality and character individuals. And they've done so with the guys who are here.

ESPN.com: It's fair to say that your decision to re-sign here was a bit of a surprise. A year ago, did you think you'd still be here now?

Ward: No. There was a lot of uncertainty. I had no idea. I'm very fortunate to get another opportunity, and I'm trying to make the most of it. I've been here when we won the Stanley Cup and the Canes were flying high, and then I've been here when things haven't been going well. But I'd rather be part of the solution than the problem, and I'd love nothing more than to see us back in the playoffs and to be a big part of that.

ESPN.com: Is your game different than it was a few years back?

Cam Ward was stellar in the first half, boasting a .915 save percentage. "It's very rewarding to see the hard work starting to pay off," he said. Ann Heisenfelt/AP Photo

Ward: Yes. I think it's more controlled. But to be honest, I think the biggest thing that I needed to get back to was my mental makeup. I dealt with some injuries. And dealing with failure can definitely wear on you mentally. I had to take a step back almost and just kind of remind myself of the reason why we play this game.

My dad always preaches that the more fun you have, the better you do. I had to get back to that mentality. And not taking it so seriously, I guess. It's not a life-or-death situation. You're blessed to be able to play a game for a living.

I look at my last game in Columbus. I got pulled. So I turn the page, get ready for Pittsburgh. There's nothing you can do about it, and I'm not going to let it affect me longer than it needs to.

ESPN.com: You haven't had many of those games. When you have the success the team has had and you are poised perhaps to be a playoff team, how much fun has it been to come back here and be part of this?

Ward: It's great. The guys put in the work. It's always rewarding when you see the results. It's great to see how we're playing at home too, especially knowing that the fan base has been starving for a winning atmosphere in our home building. Now we're trying to figure out how to do that on the road.

It's been a long time coming. It's very rewarding to see the hard work starting to pay off.

ESPN.com: There's lots of hockey yet to play, of course, but do you allow yourself to think about the playoffs? With so many kids playing meaningful games into February and beyond for the first time, do you want them to think about it?

Ward: I think you use it as motivation. For a guy who's been there and seen what it's all about -- especially in Raleigh -- you're starved to be able to experience that again. And I guess I can share my experiences with other guys and tell them what it's like and use that as a motivation.

I look at a guy like Jeff Skinner, who's having a heckuva season. I think he's in his sixth or seventh year and has never played a playoff game. I would love nothing more than to see that guy play in the playoffs and be able to show what he can do on another level. And that goes the same with other guys in the locker room. So hopefully guys get to have that experience because there's nothing better than playing playoff hockey.

ESPN.com: I don't see any gray. You're not using any product, are you?

Ward: No. No. No. I've got a little bit of gray, but I try to keep it high and tight and take care of myself.