Gardiner: Tonka Grad Leaves Gophers

Former Minnetonka boys hockey standout Max Gardiner announced he will leave the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team to play junior hockey, according to gophersports.com.

Gardiner, who played in 17 games last season as a freshman for the Gophers, recorded one goal and two assists as the team went 16-14-6.

“Max has decided to leave Minnesota to play junior hockey,” coach Don Lucia said in a statement. “We had a good conversation and he was disappointed in the ice time he received last year and was concerned about playing time in the upcoming season. Leaving assures him of the ice time he is looking for. I am disappointed he is leaving, but I understand his decision and wish him all the best.”

Gardiner was drafted Monday in the fifth round, 73rd overall, by the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League Entry Draft. He will likely join the Fighting Saints next season.

Gardiner, a 6-foot-2, 187-pound forward, earned three varsity letters for the Skippers and was a two-year captain. He was a first-team All-State honoree and a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award in 2010. During his senior year with Minnetonka, the team went 27-2-2 and lost to Edina in the Class AA state championship game.

He was drafted in the third round with the 74th overall pick by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

In March, Gardiner’s older brother and fellow Minnetonka High School alumnus, , signed an entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, forgoing his senior season at the University of Wisconsin.