The Vancouver Canucks decided to go with a centre with the 112th pick.
With their fourth round selection, they took Daimon Gardner. He was ranked as high as 54 by EliteProspects and as as low as 216 by RecruitScouting before the draft.
The Canucks now have a left-handed centre who has size in their prospect pool. He is 6’4″ and 201 pounds.
Gardner was born in Ontario. He played his minor hockey in Winnipeg and spent his last two seasons in the United States.
This past season, he played 30 games with Warroad High School in Minnesota and scored 45 goals and managed 38 assists for 83 points which are impressive numbers.
Gardner also played seven games with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL last season and scored two goals. He also played seven games with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm and managed a goals and an assist.
Gardner will be close to the Canucks next season. He will be playing for the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs. The season after that, he is going to Clarkson University.
Here is how the EliteProspects 2022 NHL Draft guide described Gardner.
"Always inside-focused, Gardner’s sense prevails across his shifts. He drives middle lanes, exploits his frame advantages to protect against defenders, and has handling, shooting, and passing skills that all blend into a relatively sophisticated offensive package. Off-puck, Gardner is a constant rotator, who jumps in willingly to help win battles or bully net front defenders to create screens."
Here are some highlights of Gardner if you are interested.
Gardner is also of Indigenous descent. He is part of the Eagle Lake First Nation which is part of the Ojibwe First Nation in Ontario.
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