Andrew Ladd was a versatile athlete growing up in Maple Ridge. During his days at Riverside Elementary and Albion Elementary, he tried his hand at numerous sports including soccer and hockey. He played for Golden Ears United Soccer Club up until the age of 12, when he decided to focus on hockey as a member of the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association.
Ladd, a graduate of Maple Ridge Senior Secondary, got his first taste of junior hockey with the Port Coquitlam Buckeroos of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League, before making the step up to the BCHL's Coquitlam Express. It wasn't until his 2003–2004 season with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen that he became a hot commodity with NHL scouts and after putting up 75 points in 71 games, he was drafted fourth overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Throughout his hockey career, Ladd has benefited from the support of his parents Dave and Kim and his brothers Mike and Josh.