There is plenty of speculation about who will go where and when in the 53rd NHL Entry Draft later this month.
Humboldt’s Reid Gardiner is taking a very mature and pragmatic approach to the event that will be held in Sunrise, Fla. June 26-27. The son of Shawn and Karla Gardiner was ranked No. 162 among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Service in its final pre-draft rankings.
“If I do (get picked), I think it will be a special moment for the community of Humboldt, my family and myself,” the 19-year-old Gardiner said.
However, he is not completely focused on being selected.
“Whatever happens happens,” Gardiner said. “I think I have a bit of a different perspective than last year.”
Many expected Gardiner’s name to be announced at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia. He had wrapped up his second Western Hockey League season ranked No. 29 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Future Considerations had him ranked 85th overall. However, Gardiner was never selected. It certainly was not an easy experience. When discussing the past couple years, the well-spoken Gardiner said:
“I think I just lost love for the game – focusing on the wrong things.”
Marc Habscheid, Gardiner’s head coach with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, praised the young man for taking what he called “a punch in the gut” and moving forward.
“He dusted himself off and got going … It made him stronger and more resilient,” Habscheid said.
Gardiner’s love of the game has definitely come back. He said being a year older and a year wiser has helped. During the 2013-2014 campaign, he felt he was forcing things at times. Last winter, he tried to let things come to him and flourished.
Gardiner finished with 64 points in 67 games. He had 34 goals and 44 penalty minutes. These were improvements on the numbers (44 points, 22 goals, and 39 penalty minutes) he put up in his second WHL campaign.
“He is a natural goal scorer,” Habscheid said. “You can’t teach that. He has a gift and that gift is to score goals.”
While Habscheid praised Gardiner for his strong work ethic, the coach said the 5-foot-11, 188-pound forward is willing to go to the hard areas of the ice and is willing to pay the price to score goals.
The character Gardiner had demonstrated in overcoming last year’s draft disappointment is displayed often. Habscheid said that Gardiner is “a good team guy.”
“He is a very good hockey player, but he is a better person,” the Raiders head coach said.
Humboldt and family have played big roles in Gardiner’s hockey career. He is appreciative of the opportunities he had to play hockey growing up – whether it was practice at the arena, on an outdoor rink, or in the basement with his brother.
Erik Gardiner is three years younger and a hockey star in his own right. A draft pick of the Regina Pats, Gardiner played midget AAA last winter for the Prince Albert Mintos. The brothers enjoyed being in the same city and encouraging each other.
“We have been each other’s biggest supporters,” Reid Gardiner said.
He recalls well constant battles with his brother when the two athletes were growing up.
“We are very competitive people on and off the ice. We push each other,” said Reid Gardiner, who believes that dynamic helped both of their games.
In addition, he also appreciates the ongoing support from both of his parents. His father has been important to his hockey success.
“Just him being supportive, always being there and giving good advice … He has been a real good role model.”
Many area hockey coaches and teammates also played a role in Gardiner’s development.
“I’ve had many coaches through the years that have been very influential,” said Gardiner, who also acknowledged the importance of his teammates over the years.
Lately, Gardiner has been focused on skating and working out in Saskatoon. He is usually around other WHL players and they push each other to be better.
“I feel really healthy and strong,” said Gardiner, who sounded happy and prepared to tackle whatever the future holds.
