Frostbite sign center with NHL experience

Published on October 3, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Adirondack Frostbite News Release


Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Frostbite, proud member of the United Hockey League (UHL), today signed veteran center Bruce Gardiner to a contract, it was announced by Frostbite Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Marc Potvin. Gardiner played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1996 to 2002 with the Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils. As per team policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

Gardiner, 33, spent the previous two seasons across season after finishing up a solid career in the NHL. His last NHL experience was with the Devils in 2001-02 where in seven games the 6'1" 185-pounder had three points (2g, 1a) in seven games. Gardiner spent the majority of that season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Albany River Rats. There the Barrie, Ontario native recorded 23 points (5g, 18a) in 45 games.

"Bruce brings considerable NHL experience to our team," said Potvin. "It's great to have a player of his caliber, who could still play in the NHL today, to help build a championship team."

In 2000-01 Gardiner was picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the expansion draft and went on to score the first goal in Blue Jackets history. During the season, the veteran tallied 22 points (7g, 15a) in 73 games. Gardiner split the 1999-00 season between the Senators and Lightning after being traded from Ottawa to Tampa Bay for Colin Forbes. The prior three seasons, Gardiner was in Ottawa where he broke into the NHL. In 181 games the center posted 51 points (22g, 29a) and 142 penalty minutes.

Gardiner made his professional debut with the Peoria Rivermen of the now defunct International Hockey League (IHL), during the 1993-94 season. Gardiner was assigned there out of college after being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 6th round (131 overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. Following his short three game stay in Peoria, Gardiner spent the next two seasons in the AHL with the Prince Edward Island Senators. In 110 games he had 61 points (28g, 33a) and 61 penalty minutes. Before going pro, Gardiner played four seasons at Colgate University where he put up 103 points (51g, 52a) in 116 games.

Gardiner becomes the 22nd players to join the Frostbite's training camp for the 2004-05 season. He joins forwards Hugo Belanger, Frank Littlejohn, Trevor Segstro, David Burgess, Sylvain Cloutier, Ryan Bennett, Frank Bakrlik, Scott Page, J.F. Labarre, Kevin Taylor and Nick Burnatowski, defensemen Neil Wilkinson, Scott Drevitch, Kamil Kuriplach, Steve O'Rourke, Jason Jaworski, David Vychodil and Henrik Bergfors and goalies Derek Gustafson, David Burleigh and Pierre-Olivier Girouard.

Season tickets for the 2004-05 season are on sale now at the Frostbite front office located at the Glen Street entrance of the Glens Falls Civic Center. Tickets may be purchased at the office from 9AM to 6PM Monday through Thursday and from 9AM to 5PM Friday or by calling 926-PUCK. Also, UHL All-Star Classic Tickets are on sale to season ticket holders now at the Frostbite office or by calling 926-PUCK. Individual game tickets and All-Star tickets go on sale to the public Saturday at 10am. The Frostbite's training camp continues all this week with practices open to the public beginning at 10AM.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 3, 2004


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