Jake William Gardiner is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 17th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Gardiner with the U.S. national ice hockey team during the 2014 IIHF World Championship
Gardiner with the Badgers during his third year at the University of Wisconsin, October 2010
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 20–21, 2008. The Senators were originally awarded the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, but because of the lockout, that draft was scaled back significantly from its usual format of being open to the public and having many draft-eligible players in attendance. The actual 2005 drafting was held in Ottawa's Westin Hotel instead of the Corel Centre, as Canadian Tire Centre was then known. As a result of 2005's abridged draft, Ottawa was compensated with the 2008 draft.
Scotiabank Place during the draft
Stage and team tables at Scotiabank Place
Alex Pietrangelo was selected fourth overall by the St. Louis Blues.
Nikita Filatov was selected sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.