Sports
Minnetonka's Gardiner Reportedly Turning Pro
Minnetonka boys hockey alumnus, current Badger, set to join Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Minnetonka High School alumnus and boys hockey player Jake Gardiner has signed an entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League and will forgo his senior season at the University of Wisconsin, according to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The former Skippers defender, who graduated from MHS in 2008, recorded 41 points with 10 goals as a member of the Badgers this past season.
In his senior season, Gardiner led Minnetonka with 48 points with 20 goals and was a Mr. Hockey Award finalist. He also played for the Team USA U-18 Select team that played in both the Czech Republic and in Slovakia in the summer of 2007.
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Gardiner was originally drafted by the NHL's Anaheim franchise with the 17th overall pick three years ago and the Ducks held his professional rights until trading them to Toronto last month in a deal for defenseman Francois Beauchemin.
