Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Gardner named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Saskatoon Blades netminder Evan Gardner has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 20, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect went 1-1-0-0 in a pair of road matches with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage to help Saskatoon stay atop the overall WHL standings.
After a sensational rookie season, Gardner hasn’t missed a beat in his second tour with the Blades. On October 17, the 18-year-old turned aside 28 of 30 shots against the Edmonton Oil Kings to snag his fourth win of the campaign. He didn’t allow a goal in the final 37 minutes of the match and held the streaking Oil Kings to just one powerplay goal on eight opportunities.
The 6-foot-1, 177-pound netminder would turn in one of his strongest performances of the 2024-25 season on Friday in Red Deer, though the Blades would fall just short of the win. In a true goaltender’s duel against Minnesota Wild prospect Chase Wutzke, Gardner saved 33 of 35 shots in a 2-1 loss, earning second star honours. The decision marked Gardner’s lone regulation defeat in his last five appearances.
The product of Fort St. John, B.C. is 4-2-1-0 in seven starts this season with a 2.57 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and one shutout. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
Gardner, a 2024 WHL Rookie and Humanitarian of the Year nominee seized control of the Blades’ starting job after posting the WHL’s best goals-against average (1.91) and save percentage (.927) in his first season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted him 60th overall in the second round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nev.
Saskatoon (8-2-1-0) host the rising Seattle Thunderbirds (4-6-1-0) on Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. ST.
2024-25 WHL Goaltender of the Week
September 23, 2024: Koen Cleaver, Lethbridge Hurricanes
September 30, 2024: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 7, 2024: Spencer Michnik, Victoria Royals
October 15, 2024: Harrison Meneghin, Medicine Hat Tigers (Tampa Bay Lightning)
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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