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 4, 2024.
The 17-year-old went 2-0-0-0 this week, putting up a paltry 1.00 goals-against average and .969 save percentage.
Gardner first got the call against the provincial rival Regina Pats on January 31. The 6-foot-2, 174-pound netminder turned aside 30 of 31 shots and held the Pats scoreless on three powerplay attempts to seal third star and a 9-1 win.
He followed that up with a stunning 3-1 performance against Brandon on February 4. Gardner stopped a season-high 33 shots, highlighted by a sharp glove save to deny a wide-open Rylen Roersma on the doorstep and a pair of scramble stops on Joby Baumuller as the Wheat Kings fought to tie the game. Gardner was named first star of the game for the fourth time this season.
The Fort St. John, B.C. product is 14-5-0-2 in his first major junior season and is second among all WHL goaltenders in goals-against average (2.03) and save percentage (.927) with two shutouts.
Gardner, who is eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, is ranked 16th among all North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting Service.
Saskatoon (36-9-2-3) leads the WHL with points in nine of its past 10 games and is currently ranked first in the CHL Top 10.
The Blades will close out a seven-game homestand this week with matches against Lethbridge (24-20-3-0) and Prince Albert (22-24-1-3) on tap.
2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week
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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