Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Gardner named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Month for January
Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League (WHL) announced Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and Saskatoon Blades netminder has been named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Month for January.
Gardner, a 20-year-old product of Fort St. John, B.C., went 6-2-0-0 with a 2.04 goals-against average (GAA), .937 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout during the month of January.
Throughout the month, the 6-foot-1, 181-pound Gardner faced 30 or more shots on five occasions, registering save percentages above .920 in seven outings.
Arguably his best outing of the month, Gardner made 35 saves on 36 shots (.972 SV%), earning first-star honours in a 5-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday, Jan. 3.
On Friday, Jan. 23, Gardner limited the high-flying Medicine Hat Tigers to two goals on 38 shots, as he rejected 36 pucks plus three more in the shootout to backstop the Blades to a 3-2 victory.
The cherry on top came Saturday, Jan. 31, when Gardner logged a perfect night, turning away all 29 shots as the Blades blanked the East Division-leading rival Prince Albert Raiders by a 4-0 score.
Selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round (60th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Gardner is enjoying yet another quality WHL campaign, owning a record of 19-11-2-1 with a 2.68 GAA, .911 SV%, and three shutouts.
He ranks among the WHL leaders in shutouts (three; T-1st), minutes played (2,014; second), save percentage (.911; fifth), saves (919; sixth), and wins (19; T-6th).
He was previously recognized as Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for October 14, 2025.
Originally selected by the Blades in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Gardner has earned a career record of 63-29-6-4 with a 2.53 GAA, .915 SV%, and ten shutouts.
In March 2025, Gardner signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets.
The 2024-25 season saw Gardner named a finalist for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Humanitarian of the Year, for the second consecutive season. The veteran netminder, who lives with Type-1 diabetes, has been continually recognized and celebrated for his ongoing efforts and advocacy work to assist others also living with Type-1 diabetes.
Heading into February, the Blades (25-20-3-1) rank sixth in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
Next up, Gardner and the Blades host the Calgary Hitmen (25-13-6-1) Tuesday, Feb. 3 (7:00pm CST) at SaskTel Centre. Watch all the action FREE on Victory+.
Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Month
September / October: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees
November: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
December: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
