The Saskatoon Blades have inked the second of 10 players chosen in the recent 2021 W-H-L Prospects Draft, signing goaltender Evan Gardner to a Standard Player Agreement.

The 15-year-old was taken in the third round, 53rd overall. The Bridge City Bunch’s first choice, forward Zachary Moore, signed on last week. Following is the news release from the Blue and Gold…..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SASKATOON, SK — The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the signing of 2006-born
goaltender Evan Gardner to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.
The Lake Country, BC netminder was selected in the third-round, 53rd overall, in the 2021 WHL
Prospects Draft. He’s the second member from his draft class to sign with the Blue & Gold,
following second-round selection Zachary Moore.
“Evan is a goalie we’re really excited about,” Blades director of scouting Dan Tencer. “He’s
performed extremely well and consistently for his RHA Kelowna team in the top CSSHL U18
league and for Team BC at the WHL Cup. He has strong athleticism and, importantly, he plays
the game with extreme poise and efficiency.”
The 6-foot-2, 165-pound goaltender dons a 0.904 save percentage with a 3.60 goals-against
average this season. Gardner’s impressive play with the Kelowna-based RINK Hockey Academy
has helped him win five of eight starts this season.
Gardner’s talent was on full display at the 2021 WHL Cup in Red Deer last month, earning two
victories for Team BC with a 0.953 save percentage and 1.00 goals against average.
Of the 17 teams competing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, Gardner’s helped his
squad secure the fifth-best winning percentage as RHA approaches the new year.
“Gardner is also as fierce a competitor as you’ll find and is an extremely driven young man,”
added Tencer. “We were fortunate to have him available when we selected in the 3rd round and
we look forward to welcoming Evan and his family to Saskatoon.”