The Kelowna Rockets announced today that assistant captain, Erik Gardiner has retired from hockey.
“Due to health and personal reasons, I thought it was time to step away,” said Gardiner in a release provided by the team. “I want to focus on different things and take care of myself.
“I want to thank the Kelowna Rockets, my family and the Western Hockey League for allowing me the chance to live out my dream of playing Major Junior hockey.”
The Rockets acquired Gardiner in a trade with the Regina Pats back on Nov. 30, 2016.
The Humboldt, Saskatchewan product suited up in 114 WHL games, 112 of those with the Rockets. He had 51 points (16G, 35A) and 83 penalty minutes.
Gardiner got off to a fast start last season with 13 points in his first 12 games. Then in late October, he was struck by a slap shot late in a game against the Tri City Americans at Prospera Place in Kelowna. The shot block ensured the game would go to overtime and coincidentally, Gardiner assisted on the Rockets game-winner.
Two nights later, he collected two assists against the Prince George Cougars, but would not play again until the second week of February. He appeared in a total of 39 games last season.
The current campaign has been challenging for Gardiner. In an April, 2018 interview with Larry Fisher of the Kelowna Daily Courier, Gardiner spoke at length about the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash that claimed 16 lives.
Three of his former team mates were killed; Logan Schatz, Logan Boulet and Stephen Wack.
Here is an excerpt from that article, published on April 16, 2018:
“Schatz was one of my best friends when I was playing for the Broncos here. A guy I grew up with billeted him at his house, so I was over there most days hanging out,” Gardiner told the Daily Courier. “That was really a tough one to hear, just because we had such a strong relationship.”
Asked about Boulet, he said: “that was another tough one. He actually lived right down the street from me, so we drove together every day to practice and games and stuff.”
And with Wacker — as Gardiner affectionately called him by his nickname: “He was just one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. So kind and so caring about everybody. I knew his billet brothers pretty well and I know it was tough on them, and tough on the whole community again.”
A fourth victim, 19-year-old left-winger Jacob Leicht, was a teammate of Gardiner’s throughout minor hockey as a fellow Humboldt product. Their bond went well beyond the rink.
“He was one of my best friends growing up,” said Gardiner. “That was probably the toughest one for me, just because I knew him my whole life and our families are really good friends here. I graduated with him and did all the things that high school kids do together.”
Again, the human element comes into play. Gardiner’s father, Shaun, is the vice-principal at the only high school in town (Humboldt Collegiate Institute) as well as the head coach of the football team there, while his mother, Karla, is a special education teacher.
A majority of the Broncos’ players, including other victims, have been taught and mentored by Gardiner’s parents.
Bieber also served as the trainer for the football team and Hinz was like an extended family member.
“I went to high school and elementary school with Brody, and my mom was a big part of his life through special education. I know that was really hard on our family, losing him,” said Gardiner, noting Hinz was around the dressing room more last season as an assistant to Brons before shifting his focus to stats, alongside Bieber in the broadcast booth this season.
Gardiner spoke glowingly of his relationships with each of them, also highlighting his former coach.
“I have nothing but positive things to say about (Haugan). He was a great guy and really strong in his faith. He was really kind to everybody and he was a players’ coach for sure. All the guys liked him and enjoyed his practices, and the community will miss him for sure.”
There had been speculation during the off-season that Gardiner would remain in Humboldt and possibly suit up for the Broncos this season as the organization rebuilt its roster.
However, he returned to Kelowna and appeared in 39 games this season.
While in Kelowna, the youngster played most of the 2016-17 season with his older brother Reid in the Rockets lineup. Reid’s WHL playing rights were acquired by Kelowna in a trade deadline deal with the Prince Albert Raiders.
The Rockets were eliminated in the post-season, the 2017 western conference final, by the eventual league champion Seattle Thunderbirds.
“We support Erik’s decision one hundred percent,” said Rockets general manager, Bruce Hamilton. “The Kelowna Rockets organization and I would like to thank Erik for everything he has done on and off the ice. We wish Erik all the best moving forward; we will continue to be involved with him in the future.”
