Nolan Gardiner Sets Sights On A Championship

When some people look at it, the fact that Nolan Gardiner will finish his Junior hockey career at the Junior B level might look like a step backward, but he’s hoping to turn it into a step forward.

In a year that saw him start in the OHL with the Ottawa 67s, move to the QMJHL’s Baia-Comeau Drakker, and now finishing with the GOJHL’s Caledonia Corvairs, Gardiner is hoping he can translate the lessons he’s learned in the Canadian Hockey League, and turn them into a solid finish, and a championship.

“It’s definitely been a crazy year, I’m happy I’ve found a spot where I am a key player and look forward to what the future holds,” said Gardiner. “I learned a lot from my time in the CHL and I am excited to translate it into my game in the GOJHL.”

The fact that Caledonia has been to the Sutherland Cup in four straight seasons, winning on three of those occasions, was a selling point for Gardiner, who joins the first place Corvairs just in time for another run at a Junior B title.

“My ultimate goal is to win a championship,” says Gardiner. “I want to be a large part of a winning team. I hope to produce offensively, bring leadership and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

When considering where the Tilbury product, and Chatham-Kent Cyclones and Wheatley Sharks alumni wanted to finish his Junior career, Caledonia’s track record of championship teams, and advancing players to the University and pro level was enough to entice Gardiner, who last played Junior B for the LaSalle Vipers in 2015-2016.

“The winning environment here definitely factored into my decision,” explained Gardiner. “I hope to win back-to-back championships with Caledonia to finish off my junior career. I also feel that it is a great place to develop for university and professional hockey moving forward. I look forward to a long playoff run and I am excited to see what our team with our skill and depth can accomplish.”