The 24-year-old forward was called up to the Dallas Stars taxi squad a week ago and has since played two games with the unbeaten squad in the early part of the season.
Gardner first joined the Stars’ taxi squad on Jan. 22 after coming out of COVID-19 protocols and was promoted to the active roster on the fourth line against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 26.
In that contest — a 2-1 overtime win for the 4-0 Stars — Gardner saw 11 shifts for 8:18 of ice time and recorded a shot on goal and a hit. He also took a hooking penalty in the third and was on the ice for an even-strength goal against.
Gardner returned to the taxi squad on Jan. 27, but when forward Roope Hintz was unable to play on Thursday night due to a lingering lower body injury, Gardner again found himself back in the main line-up.
He suited up for Dallas’ 7-3 win over Detroit on Thursday night, playing 12 shifts and 7:07 of ice time but not hitting the stats sheet otherwise.
Gardner — who was selected by the Stars in the fourth round, 116th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after his freshman season with the University of North Dakota — played eight games with Dallas last season and is still looking for his first NHL point.
In 55 games with the AHL’s Texas Stars in 2019-20, Gardner had nine goals and 24 points.
Gardner was a standout defensive forward through four seasons with UND, winning the Frozen Four in his rookie season. Through 149 NCAA contests, Gardner had 34 goals and 74 points.
The Stars are back in action Saturday and Sunday when they travel to face the Carolina Hurricanes.
