Cal Gardner

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Cal Gardner (October 30, 1924 - October 10, 2001) was a professional ice hockey player in the NHL.

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[edit] Early life

Cardner was born in Transcona, Manitoba. After three years of junior ice hockey in Winnipeg during the early forties, Cal Gardner entered the military for the duration of World War II.

[edit] Playing career

Fresh out of the service in 1945, he joined the New York Rovers of the EHL. There he joined forces with wingers Rene Trudel and Church Russell to form the "Atomic Line". Together, they seared their way across the league as Gardner netted 73 points in 40 games.

New York Rangers GM Lester Patrick could not resist such prospects, so he brought the Atomic lads to Broadway. Their collective impact, however, was minimal at best and only Gardner survived beyond three seasons.

After a little more than two campaigns in New York, he was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs, home of the highlights of his career. Over the next four years, Gardner, known as "Pearly", notched up 163 points in 247 games, made two All-Star game appearances (1948 and 1949) and, celebrated 2 Stanley Cup victories in 1949 and 1951.

In 1952, he joined the lowly Chicago Black Hawks for one season before settling in for the duration with the Boston Bruins.

After leaving the NHL, Gardner bounced around the minors with the Springfield Indians, the Providence Reds, the Cleveland Barons of the AHL and the Kingston Frontenacs of the EPHL. He also served one year, 1970–71, as the colour analyst on Boston Bruins radio broadcasts, working alongside Fred Cusick.

Years later, Gardner's two sons, Dave and Paul followed their father's path to the NHL.

[edit] Coaching career

Gardner was Head Coach of the Springfield Indians of the AHL in 1958.

[edit] Awards and Achievements

[edit] External links