Jake Gardiner

Jake William Gardiner (born July 4, 1990) is an American professional ice hockey Defenseman currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Early life
Gardiner grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and played ice hockey at Minnetonka, Minnesota. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Playing career
Gardiner was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the 2007–08 hockey season playing for Minnetonka High School Skippers.

On February 9, 2011, Anaheim traded Gardiner, along with Joffrey Lupul and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2013, to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Francois Beauchemin

On March 15, 2011, Gardiner agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs.

Gardiner started the 2011-12 NHL season season with the Leafs, scoring his first career NHL goal on January 24, 2012, against Al Montoya of the New York Islanders. At the end of the season, Gardiner was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after scoring 30 points in 75 games with Toronto.

On May 6, 2013, Gardiner became the first Toronto Maple Leaf to score a home Stanley Cup playoff goal since  Mats Sundin scored in a 3–2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on May 4, 2004, a span of nine years and two days.

On July 29, 2014, the Leafs signed Gardiner to a five-year, $20.25 million contract extension.