The absolute highest honour for Eagle Lake First Nations Kayla Gardner.
The 27 year old has been inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.
Gardner was a two-time girls’ hockey state champion with the Warroad Warriors, earning back to back titles in 2010 and 2011.
Gardner was a contributing member of five section 8A championships.
Total stats at Warroad (Including Playoffs)
150 Games. 166 Goals. 201 Assists. 367 Points. +323 rating
Off the ice, Gardner was a member of the National Honor Society.
After graduating from Warroad High School, Gardner attended the University of North Dakota from 2013-2017, where she received a full hockey scholarship.
During her time at UND, Gardner was a three-time WCHA Scholar Athlete and after earning her Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2017.
Total stats at UND
146 Games. 12 Goals. 20 Assists. 32 Points
Gardner went on to play professional hockey with the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL.
Total stats at Calgary
25 Games. 6 Goals. 5 Assists. 11 Points
After a successful year with the Calgary Inferno, Gardner continued her professional hockey career in Sweden, playing with the Brynäs IF in the SDHL
Total stats at Sweden
24 Games. 2 Goals. 5 Assists. 7 Points
Another future Hall of Famer is Eagle Lake First Nations Damien Gardner.
The 18 year old started pro playing with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL.
He amassed 3 goals and 3 assists and 6 points in 32 games.
Gardner has made his mark however this year with a standout season at Warroad High where he put up a jaw dropping 34 goals, 33 assists, 67 points in only 23 games.
He has already committed to the NCAA next season playing for Clarkson University in New York.
The 6’4, 200 pound forward is already listed at #101 in the midterm NHL Scouting rankings for the 2022 Draft.
Courtesy of Vince Gardner
