2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Gardner named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Evan Gardner of the Saskatoon Blades has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending February 18, 2024.
It’s the second time this month the 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder has earned Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week honours.
Gardner went 1-0-0-0 on the week, recording his third shutout of the season.
The 6-foot-2, 174-pound netminder was called to the crease for a matchup against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on February 16. Gardner weathered the storm with a 16-save performance, highlighted by a lightning-quick glove save on Logan Wormald. Tanner Molendyk would break through for the Blades in overtime to seal a thrilling 1-0 win for Saskatoon.
Evan Gardner's glove-hand is ready for @StoonBerries tryouts ⚾️🔥 pic.twitter.com/oDCUeWe0zO
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) February 17, 2024
Following the win, Gardner’s record improved to 16-5-0-2, while his 1.89 goals-against average and .929 save percentage are second among WHL goaltenders who have played more than 20 games. His three shutouts are also tied for the second-most in the league.
The Fort St. John, B.C. product has been ranked 16th among all North American goaltenders by the NHL Central Scouting Service ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Gardner has since wracked up another win against Brandon on February 19, which will be considered for next week’s awards.
Saskatoon (42-9-2-3) is on a 13-0-1-0 run to remain atop the WHL standings with 12 regular season games remaining.
The Blades return to the Sasktel Centre- where they’ve amassed a dominant 23-1-1-0 record- to take on the Brandon Wheat Kings (27-22-5-1) on February 23.
2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week
February 12, 2024: Hunter Laing, Prince George Cougars
February 5, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
January 29, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 22, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 15, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
January 8, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
January 2, 2024: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals
December 18, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
December 11, 2023: Max Curran, Tri-City Americans
December 4, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
November 27, 2023: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 20, 2023: Dakota MacIntosh, Moose Jaw Warriors
November 13, 2023: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen
November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)
October 23, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
October 16, 2023: Ty Coupland, Swift Current Broncos
October 10, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
October 2, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
September 25, 2023: Oscar Lovsin, Wenatchee Wild
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 offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 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 close to 60 years. The WHL is also a 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.
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