Gardiner was born to Tom and Diane Gardiner, and has a brother, Brad. She attended Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School and played three seasons for the Greater Vancouver Comets of the BC Elite Hockey League, where she recorded 90 goals and 91 assists in 92 games.[1] She led the league in scoring all three years, and was named a three-time FMAAA all-star team honoree and three-time Provincial Champion.[2]
Playing career
College
Gardiner began her collegiate career for Ohio State during the 2019–20 season. During her freshman year, she recorded nine goals and six assists in 38 games. During the 2020–21 season in her sophomore year, she recorded a team-high eight goals and seven assists in 20 games, in a season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021–22 season in her junior year, she recorded 15 goals and 24 assists in 38 games.[2] During the 2022 NCAA tournament, she scored the game-winning goal against Yale in the Frozen Four to help Ohio State advance to the championship game, and lead Ohio State to their first national championship in program history.[3][4]
During the 2022–23 season in her senior year, she recorded 21 goals and 36 assists in 41 games. She led the team in points with 57. Following the season, she was named to the All-WCHA First Team.[5] During the 2023–24 season, as a graduate student, she recorded 18 goals and 27 assists in 39 games. She ranked second on the team in points with 45.[2] Following the season, she was named to the All-WCHA Third Team.[6] She helped lead the Buckeyes to their second national championship in program history.[7][8]
Gardiner finished her collegiate career with 71 goals and 100 assists in a program record 176 games. She became only the third Buckeyes player in program history to reach 100 assists.[2][9]
Professional
On June 10, 2024, Gardiner was drafted in the second round, 11th overall, by PWHL Montreal in the 2024 PWHL Draft. On July 16, 2024, she signed a two-year contract with Montreal.[10][11]
