Jake Gardiner

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Jake Gardiner

| image = Jake Gardiner 2017-12-09 1.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Gardiner with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|7|4}}

| birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.{{Cite web |url=http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=23&year=2008 |title=Gardiner, Jake - Toronto Maple Leafs - News |access-date=2016-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826003913/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=23&year=2008 |archive-date=2016-08-26 |url-status=dead }}

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb = 203

| position = Defense

| shoots = Left

| played_for = Toronto Maple Leafs
Carolina Hurricanes

| ntl_team = USA

| draft = 17th overall

| draft_year = 2008

| draft_team = Anaheim Ducks

| career_start = 2011

| career_end = 2021

}}

Jake William Gardiner (born July 4, 1990) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 17th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Gardiner was born in Minnesota to parents Jill and John Gardiner. His father ran a printing business and coached Jake's ice hockey teams.{{cite web |last1=Ulmer |first1=Mike |title=Gardiner Still Developing With Badgers |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/gardiner-still-developing-with-badgers/c-552324 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=February 10, 2011}}

Playing career

=Early career=

File:JGardinerWis10.jpg, October 2010]]

Gardiner played ice hockey at Minnetonka High School.{{cite news|url= http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/yFw6XsD440G6EL_HY8v3hA/ice-hockey-winter-06-07/stats-jake-gardiner.htm|title= Jake Gardiner Stats|work= CBSSports.com |access-date= October 8, 2012}} Prior to his senior year at Minnetonka High School, Gardiner switched from forward to defense on the advice of Minnesota State University, Mankato coach Troy Jutting.{{cite web |author1=Mike G. Morreale |title=Switch to defense suited Leafs' Gardiner well |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/switch-to-defense-suited-leafs-gardiner-well/c-597549 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=October 26, 2011}} In his senior year, Gardiner was named a top-10 finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award and was later drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Despite his high draft place, he then attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison.{{cite web |last1=Rutherford |first1=Kristina |title='YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO' |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/big-read-jake-gardiner-proves-risk-worth-reward/ |website=sportsnet.ca |access-date=December 13, 2018}}

In his freshman season with the Badgers, Gardiner was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team.{{cite web |title=WCHA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM |url=http://www.wcha.com/pdf/history15/Honors%20and%20Awards/Honors%20and%20Awards/9-All-time,%20All-WCHA%20Rookie%20Team%20Members,%20by%20School.pdf |website=wcha.com |access-date=December 13, 2018}} As an alternate captain with the Badgers during the 2010–2011 season, Gardiner was named to the All-WCHA Second Team. While with the Badgers, on February 9, 2011, Anaheim traded Gardiner, along with Joffrey Lupul and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2013, to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman François Beauchemin.{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=552093 | title = Ducks deal for Beauchemin; Leafs get Lupul | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-09}} Gardiner chose to forgo his senior season with the Badgers and instead signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{cite news |last1=Baggot |first1=Andy |title=UW men's hockey: Gardiner forgoes senior season, signs with Maple Leafs |url=https://madison.com/sports/columnists/andy_baggot/uw-men-s-hockey-gardiner-forgoes-senior-season-signs-with/article_6db0deda-4f65-11e0-a724-001cc4c002e0.html |access-date=December 13, 2018 |newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal |date=March 16, 2011}}{{cite web| url = http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=556111 | title = Maple Leafs sign prospect Gardiner | publisher = Toronto Maple Leafs | date = 2011-03-15 | access-date = 2011-03-15}}

=Professional=

==Toronto Maple Leafs==

Gardiner started the 2011–12 season with the Leafs, scoring his first career NHL goal on January 24, 2012, against Al Montoya of the New York Islanders.{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020723 | title = MacArthur's OT goal leads Leafs past Isles | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 2012-01-24 | access-date = 2012-01-24}} After his rookie campaign where he led rookie defensemen in scoring, Gardiner was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.{{cite web |title=Gardiner Named To 2011-12 All-Rookie Squad |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/gardiner-named-to-2011-12-all-rookie-squad/c-635414 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=June 21, 2012}}

Gardiner started his second season with the Toronto Marlies, due to the NHL Lockout. He posted 31 points in 43 games in the AHL, and then, once the NHL started up, he had 4 assists in 12 games. While playing with the Marlies, Gardiner suffered a concussion on December 8 and was out of the lineup for a month to recover.{{cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Jeff |title=Leafs send D Gardiner down to AHL's Marlies |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jake-gardiner-sent-down-ahl-toronto-maple-leafs-concussion/ |website=sportsnet.ca |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=January 25, 2013}} On May 6, 2013, Gardiner became the first Toronto Maple Leaf to score a home Stanley Cup playoff goal since Mats Sundin scored in a 3–2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on May 4, 2004, a span of nine years and two days.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} He finished the playoffs with points in 6 games.

File:Jake Gardiner 2012-03-07.JPG

Gardiner scored a career high 10 goals and 31 points in the 2013–2014 season, trailing only Cody Franson in points among Leafs' defenders.{{cite web|title=Jake Gardiner|url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=18592|website=eliteprospects.com|access-date=April 25, 2018}}

On July 29, 2014, the Leafs signed Gardiner to a five-year, $20.25 million contract extension.{{Cite news|url = http://www.torontosun.com/2014/07/29/maple-leafs-sign-jake-gardiner-to-five-year-deal|title = Maple Leafs sign Jake Gardiner to five-year deal|last = Hornby|first = Lance|date = July 29, 2014|newspaper = Toronto Sun|access-date = July 29, 2014}} The Leafs struggled that season, and Gardiner managed only 4 goals and 24 points in 79 games, fourth among Leafs' defenders.

For the 2015–16 season, the Leafs hired a new head coach, Mike Babcock, and cleared out Dion Phaneuf by the trade deadline. Gardiner had 7 goals and 31 points, second to Morgan Rielly among Leafs' defenders, taking a step forward under a new coach, even though the team lost the scoring presence of Phil Kessel.

In 2016–17, the Leafs became a winning team once again, an especially high scoring one with the addition of scoring phenoms Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner, among others. Gardiner posted a career high of 43 points, and was a +24, leading all Leafs' defenders in both categories.

During the 2017–18 season, Gardiner recorded his 50th point of the season on April 2, 2018, in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. With his 50th point, and fellow defenceman Morgan Rielly already having 51 points, they became the first two Leafs defensemen with at least 50 points in a season since Tomáš Kaberle and Bryan McCabe did it in 2006–07.{{cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Dave|title=Matthews, Nylander help Maple Leafs top Sabres|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-toronto-maple-leafs-game-recap/c-297592984|website=NHL.com|access-date=April 3, 2018|date=April 2, 2018}} Both Gardiner and Rielly ended the regular season with a career high 52 points to help the Leafs to their second consecutive playoff showing,{{cite news|last1=Shoalts|first1=David|title=Maple Leafs' Rielly, Gardiner hope strong seasons lead to playoff success|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-maple-leafs-rielly-gardiner-hope-strong-seasons-lead-to-playoff/|access-date=April 11, 2018|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=April 10, 2018}} in which they would lose to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round.

The following season, Gardiner played in his 500th career NHL game on October 27, 2018, against the Winnipeg Jets. In the game, he scored the tying goal in the third period to help the Leafs defeat the Jets 3–2.{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Luke |title=Matthews injury overshadows Maple Leafs' comeback win over Jets |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/matthews-injury-overshadows-maple-leafs-comeback-win-jets/ |website=sportsnet.ca |access-date=October 27, 2018 |location=Toronto |date=October 27, 2018}}

==Carolina Hurricanes==

On September 6, 2019, Gardiner signed a four-year, $16.2 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.{{cite web |title=Canes Sign Jake Gardiner to Four-Year Deal |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-sign-jake-gardiner-to-four-year-deal/c-308937626 |website=Carolina Hurricanes |date=6 September 2019 |access-date=September 6, 2019}}

Prior to entering his third season with the Hurricanes on September 7, 2021, it was announced that Gardiner was to undergo hip and back surgeries, which ruled him out for the entirety of the {{NHL Year|2021}} season.{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/carolina-hurricanes-d-jake-gardiner-to-miss-season-1.1690535 | title = Hurricanes D Gardiner to miss season | publisher = The Sports Network | date = September 7, 2021 | access-date = September 7, 2021}} Gardiner was reported to be healthy prior to the {{NHL Year|2022}} season, but suffered a setback with his recovery and missed an entire second season.{{cite web|url=https://cardiaccane.com/2022/06/03/jake-gardiner-healthy/|title=Jake Gardiner is healthy and now the Hurricanes have a decision to make|date=June 3, 2022|first=Conor|last=Power|website=FanSided / Cardiac Cane}}{{cite web|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/ex-maple-leafs-defenseman-jake-gardiner-where-is-he-now/|title=Ex-Maple Leafs' Defenseman Jake Gardiner: Where Is He Now?|first=Jim|last=Parsons Sr.|date=August 21, 2023|website=TheHockeyWriters.com}} Gardiner's contract with the Hurricanes expired following the {{NHL Year|2022}} season.

International play

{{MedalTableTop|name = no | image:Jake Gardiner US-Team by 2eight DSC0609.jpg|220px|Gardiner with the U.S. national ice hockey team during the 2014 IIHF World Championship}}

{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}

After the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to make a playoff run in the 2013–14 season, Gardiner joined teammates Nazem Kadri, James Reimer and Morgan Rielly to compete in the 2014 IIHF World Championship. He joined Team USA under coach Peter Laviolette, where the nation lost in the quarter-finals.{{cite web |title=Leafs benefit from world championship experience |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-benefit-from-world-championship-experience/ |website=sportsnet.ca |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=September 13, 2014}} The following year, Gardiner was again named to Team USA for the 2015 IIHF World Championship, where they placed third.{{cite web |last1=Sanful |first1=John |title=USA bringing bronze home |url=http://www.iihfworlds2015.com/en/news/bronze-medal-recap-usa-cze/ |website=iihfworlds2015.com |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=May 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518193718/http://www.iihfworlds2015.com/en/news/bronze-medal-recap-usa-cze/ |url-status=dead }}

Personal life

On July 9, 2017, Gardiner married his long-time girlfriend Lucy, a fitness instructor, businesswoman, and social media influencer.{{cite web | url = http://dailyhive.com/toronto/maple-leafs-summer-instagram-2017 | title = Here's how Maple Leafs players are spending their summer | website = DailyHive Toronto | date = August 22, 2017}} In September 2018, Lucy gave birth to their first child, a son.{{cite news |last1=Hornby |first1=Lance |title=Oh baby, Maple Leafs' Jake Gardiner ready for a new challenge |url=https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/oh-baby-maple-leafs-jake-gardiner-ready-for-a-new-challenge |access-date=December 13, 2018 |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=September 21, 2018}}

Gardiner's younger brother Max was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the third round, 74th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web| url = http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=40259 | title = Max Gardiner player profile | website = eliteprospects.com | date = 2014-04-05 | access-date = 2014-04-05}} He also has a younger sister, Paige, who runs a jewelry business.{{cite web|last1=Lomon|first1=Chris|title=GARDINER: ROLE MODEL TURNED ACTUAL MODEL|url=https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-11994/gardiner-role-model-turned-actual-model|website=nhlpa.com|access-date=February 19, 2018|date=November 17, 2016}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM
2005–06 \|Minnetonka High \|USHS \|21 \|2 \|14 \|16 \|6 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2006–07	Minnetonka High	USHS	19	10	22	32	20	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Minnetonka High	USHS	24	20	28	48	14	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2008–09	University of Wisconsin	WCHA	39	3	18	21	16	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	University of Wisconsin	WCHA	41	6	7	13	20	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2010–11	University of Wisconsin	WCHA	41	10	31	41	24	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Toronto Marlies	AHL	10	0	3	3	4	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2011–12	Toronto Marlies	AHL	4	0	2	2	2	17	2	9	11	10
2011–12	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	75	7	23	30	18	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2012–13	Toronto Marlies	AHL	43	10	21	31	12	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	12	0	4	4	0	6	1	4	5	0
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2013–14	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	80	10	21	31	19	—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	79	4	20	24	24	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2015–16	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	79	7	24	31	32	—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	9	34	43	34	6	1	2	3	4
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2017–18	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	5	47	52	32	7	0	2	2	2
2018–19	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	62	3	27	30	26	7	0	2	2	0
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2019–20	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL	68	4	20	24	30	6	0	1	1	2
2020–21	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL	26	0	8	8	11	1	0	0	0	0
style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 645 ! 49 ! 228 ! 277 ! 226 ! 33 ! 2 ! 11 ! 13 ! 8