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Gardener ranked seventh among goaltending prospects in NHL Central Scouting final rankings

The Fort St. John product was named seventh in NHL Central Scouting final rankings for goaltenders, released on April 16th.

By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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April 18, 2024

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Saskatoon Blades goalie and Fort St. John product Evan Gardner has been named seventh among goalkeepers in NHL Central Scouting’s latest rankings (Saskatoon Blades, Facebook)

SASKATOON, SASK. — The accolades continue for Saskatoon Blades rookie goaltender Evan Gardner.

According to the team, the Fort St. John product was named seventh in NHL Central Scouting final rankings for goaltenders, released on April 16th.

Gardner was ranked 16th in the previous report released in January.

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The 18-year-old compiled a 21-5-0-2 regular season record and a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.91, which led the Western Hockey League (WHL). Gardner also tied teammate Austin Elliot for second in the WHL with four shutouts and had a .927 save percentage.

Gardner’s effort in the net resulted in him being a WHL’s Eastern Division finalist for Rookie of the Year. He was also named League Rookie of the Week three times this season.

Gardner’s performances have also translated into the playoffs. The Blades have won every game Gardner has appeared in, losing just one game through the first two rounds.

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In those games, Gardner has posted a 1.66 GAA and a save percentage of .928.

Currently, the Blades await their third-round opponent after sweeping the Red Deer Rebels in the second round.

Authors

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A guy who found his calling later in life, Edward Hitchins is a professional storyteller with a colourful and extensive history.

Beginning his journey into journalism in 2012 at Seneca College, Edward also graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism in 2018. After time off from his career and venturing into other vocations, he started his career proper in 2022 in Campbell River, B.C.

Edward was attracted to the position of Indigenous Voices reporter with Energeticcity as a challenge. Having not been around First Nations for the majority of his life, he hopes to learn about their culture through meaningful conversations while properly telling their stories.

In a way, he hopes this position will allow both himself and Energeticcity to grow as a collective unit as his career moves forward and evolves into the next step.

He looks forward to growing both as a reporter and as a human being while being posted in Fort St. John.

This reporting position has been funded by the Government of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative.