Biography
Dave Gardner, the son of hockey legend Cal Gardner, grew up playing hockey in Leaside. By the time he was 17 he was playing for the St. Michael’s Buzzers in Junior B and scored 54 goals and 96 points in 36 games. In 1970-71 Dave made the move to Major Junior hockey, joining the Toronto Marlboros where he had a spectacular rookie season and finished second in league scoring. He was also awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. In 1972 in the NHL Amateur Draft he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round and eighth overall. Dave played 350 NHL games for Montreal, the St. Louis Blues, California Seals, Cleveland Barons and Philadelphia Flyers. Dave retired from professional hockey after the 1984-85 season.