2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Gardner named WHL Goaltender of the Month for March

Calgary, Alta. – Saskatoon Blades netminder Evan Gardner has been named WHL Goaltender of the Month for March, the Western Hockey League announced today.

The 2024 NHL draft-eligible goaltender went undefeated in March, posting a 5-0-0-0 record with a 1.59 goals-against average, a .938 save percentage and one shutout, helping the Saskatoon Blades clinch the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular season champions.

Gardner also dazzled in his WHL playoff debut by steering aside 31 of 32 shots for a .969 save percentage in a 4-1 win over the Prince Albert Raiders to tie the First Round series at one win apiece.

The Fort St. John, B.C. product was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week for the first time on March 25 (he was previously recognized as Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week twice) after posting a 2-0-0-0 record, a 1.49 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and a shutout.

The 6-foot-2, 174-pound netminder finished his rookie WHL regular season with a 21-5-0-2 record, becoming one of only two rookies to surpass the 20-win mark. Gardner has not lost a game in regulation since January 17, 2024.

Gardner is ranked 16th among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting ahead of June’s NHL Entry Draft. He was selected by Saskatoon in the third round, 53rd overall, of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

The Blades will look to take their first lead of their First Round series against the Raiders as the playoff battle moves north to Prince Albert. Game 3 is set for April 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Month

February: Reid Dyck, Swift Current Broncos (Boston Bruins)

January: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels

December: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels

November: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars

September/October: Jan Spunar, Portland Winterhawks

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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