The OHL is saddened by the loss of former Red Tilson Trophy and Eddie Powers Trophy recipient Dave Gardner, who passed away on Monday at the age of 70.
Gardner spent the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons with the OHA’s Toronto Marlboros, going on to be a first round (8th overall) pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1972 NHL Draft before spending 350 games in the National Hockey League between 1972 and 1980.
Gardner played on a star-studded Toronto Marlboros line accompanied by Steve Shutt and Billy Harris, and was voted the OHA’s Most Outstanding Player in 1971, earning the Red Tilson Trophy after producing 137 points (56-81–137) in 62 games. He’d follow that season up with Eddie Powers Trophy honours as the OHA’s top scorer in 1972, registering 129 points (53-76–129) in 57 contests.
The Toronto native graduated to produce consistent numbers in the NHL, including four straight seasons of at least 15 goals between 1974 and 1978 with the California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barons. He played the final nine seasons of his pro career in Switzerland before retiring in 1988.
Gardner and son, Ryan, who played in the OHL for the London Knights and North Bay Centennials between 1995-98, were both inducted into the Aurora, Ont. Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Dave Gardner and his younger brother Paul, a former Oshawa General who played 447 career games in the NHL, are sons of former Toronto Maple Leafs great Cal Gardner, who won Stanley Cups with Toronto in 1949 and 1951.
The OHL extends thoughts and condolences to Dave Gardner’s family and friend at this difficult time.
The Canadiens are saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Gardner.
The organization would like to extend its deepest condolences to his family and friends.https://t.co/lo60ZBos6Z
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 20, 2023
