During the 2004–05 season he played with the
Alaska Aces, and made his
AHL debut, playing one game with the
Milwaukee Admirals. During the
NHL lockout, Minard played on a line with
Scott Gomez, who had returned to his hometown of
Anchorage to play for the season. During the season, Minard posted career highs in goals scored. This led to Gomez influencing
New Jersey Devils management to give Minard a training camp slot, where he would earn a spot for the
2005–06 AHL season with the
Albany River Rats, and the
2006–07 season with the
Lowell Devils. Minard was signed by the Penguins on July 12, 2007. He made his
NHL debut on January 21, 2008 against the
Washington Capitals. On February 26, Minard recorded his first NHL point, with an assist against the
New York Islanders. Minard scored his first NHL goal on March 12,
2008, beating
Ryan Miller of the
Buffalo Sabres. On July 13, 2009 he signed a one-year deal with the
Edmonton Oilers, one month after the Pittsburgh Penguins won the
Stanley Cup. Minard was included on team picture, and awarded a Stanley Cup Ring. He did not play enough games to get his name stamped on the Stanley Cup. After three seasons in the German DEL, with
Kölner Haie and failing the qualify for the playoffs in the
2014–15 season, Minard opted to leave the club and sign a two-year contract with rivals
Düsseldorfer EG on March 4, 2015. At the conclusion of his second year with Düsseldorfer in the
2016–17 season, having contributed with just 9 points in 49 games, Minard opted to end his professional career after 15 seasons. == Career statistics ==