Thank you to the 70 readers who voted in this year’s countdown of the 25 best players in the Columbus Blue Jackets system under the age of 25. Today we continue with #17:
#17 Evan Gardner
Voting
#17 of 40
Total points: 1245
Average Placement: 17.535
Last Year: 23rd (+6 Difference)
Biography
Birthdate: January 25, 2006
Birthplace: Fort St. John, British Columbia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176 lbs
Position: Goaltender
Catches: Left
Acquired: Selected in Round 2 (#60 overall) by Columbus in the 2024 NHL Draft
2024-25 Season
Evan Gardner returned to the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades for his post-draft season, posting a 2.83 GAA, .911 SV%, and three shutouts to go along with his 22-12-4 record. He was top seven in the league in all three categories, as well as earning Goaltender of the Month in November. It was a bit of a drop off from Gardner’s 2023-24 stats (1.91, .927, and four shutouts respectively), which led the WHL for GAA and SV% and was tied for second for shutouts.
2025-26 Outlook
By just 26 days, Gardner will be ineligible to play for AHL Cleveland until Saskatoon’s season ends, so it’s back to the WHL. He was still signed to an entry-level deal in March, meaning the front office must have faith in him being the real deal. Goalies take a bit longer to develop, so it isn’t the end of the world, but still not ideal.