The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Tuesday that they have signed Evan Gardner to a three-year entry level contract beginning with the 2025-26 season. The goaltender was selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round, 60th overall, at the 2024 NHL Draft held at the Sphere in Vegas.

 

Gardner, 19, has posted a 22-12-4 record with a 2.83 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and three shutouts in 41 games with the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades this season.

 

He has won four-straight starts with a 1.25 GAA, .960 SV% and two shutouts since March 7. He was also named the league’s Goaltender of the Month for November after finishing with a 7-3-0 record, 2.64 GAA and .912 SV% in 11 appearances.

 

The 6-1, 178-pound native of Fort St. John, British Columbia has registered a record of 43-17-6 with a 2.45 GAA, .917 SV% and seven shutouts in 71 career games with the Blades since making his WHL debut in 2023-24. 

 

He led the league in goals-against average and save percentage and ranked second-T in shutouts as a rookie in 2023-24, finishing with a 21-5-2 record, 1.91 GAA, .927 SV% and four shutouts in 30 contests with Saskatoon. He also went 10-4 with a 2.33 GAA and .910 SV% in 15 outings with the club in the 2024 WHL playoffs.