Rhett Gardner Bio
Rhett Gardner is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward born on February 28, 1996, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He currently plays for HC CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) after previously appearing in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Dallas Stars and the Philadelphia Flyers. Standing 191 centimeters tall and weighing 100 kilograms, Gardner is recognized for his physical, two-way style of play. His career has carried him from junior hockey in Western Canada to an NCAA championship at the University of North Dakota, and on to professional rosters in both North America and Europe.
Early Life and Background
Rhett Gardner was born on February 28, 1996, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, to parents Rob and Renee Gardner. Growing up in the prairie province of Saskatchewan, he was surrounded by a strong hockey culture that shaped his early interest in the sport. He attended Vanier Collegiate Institute, where he balanced his education with a growing commitment to competitive hockey. While still in high school, Gardner joined the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, taking a significant step away from home to pursue higher-level competition.
During the 2013–14 season with the Okotoks Oilers, Gardner earned AJHL All-Rookie Team honors after recording 13 goals and 24 assists in 52 games. His strong play during that campaign earned him a selection to represent Team Canada at the World Junior A Challenge, where he won a bronze medal in 2013. These early experiences helped establish Gardner as a promising young forward with a well-rounded game.
Path to Professional Hockey
Gardner was selected in the second round of the 2011 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft by the Spokane Chiefs while captaining the Moose Jaw Generals. Although his rights were later traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings, Gardner informed the organization that he would not report, having already committed to play NCAA Division I collegiate hockey. That decision set the course for the next stage of his development.
He joined the North Dakota Fighting Hawks as a freshman for the 2015–16 season and immediately contributed to one of the most memorable years in program history. Gardner helped North Dakota win its first NCAA Championship in 16 years, tying for fourth on the team with 11 goals, the second-most among freshmen. He also won 280 faceoffs during the season, the second-most in program history, and was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference Rookie of the Week in January 2016. He finished the year on the NCHC Academic All-Conference Freshman Team.
Rhett Gardner Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Following his freshman championship run, Gardner was drafted in the fourth round, 116th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He returned to North Dakota for his sophomore season and set new career highs in points, assists, and power-play goals while earning a second selection to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team. On April 11, 2017, he was named an assistant captain alongside Trevor Olson and Johnny Simonson for the 2017–18 season, further confirming his standing within the program.
Dallas Stars Era (2019–2023)
On March 19, 2019, after concluding his collegiate career, Gardner signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars and was assigned to the Stars’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Texas Stars. He recorded his first professional assist on Colin Markison’s game-winning goal during a 5–2 win over the Iowa Wild on March 29, 2019. After attending the Stars’ 2019 training camp, Gardner was re-assigned to the AHL on September 17, 2019, before being recalled to the NHL on October 4.
Gardner made his NHL debut on October 5, 2019, against the St. Louis Blues, logging four faceoff wins and one hit in 12 minutes and 4 seconds of ice time. He played six more games for Dallas that season before returning to the AHL. He later picked up his first NHL assist in a 2–1 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 14, 2021, on a goal by Joe Pavelski. On March 21, 2021, Gardner scored his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators. On June 24, 2021, he signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract extension with the Stars, completing a steady climb within the organization.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2023–2025)
On July 1, 2023, Gardner left the Stars as a free agent and signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new organization and allowed him to continue establishing himself as a reliable bottom-six forward. After two seasons in the Flyers system, Gardner decided to take his career overseas.
HC CSKA Moscow Era (2025–Present)
On July 8, 2025, Gardner signed a two-year contract with HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League, leaving North American professional hockey for the first time. The move represented a major new chapter in his career, joining one of the most storied franchises in European hockey. He remains under contract with CSKA Moscow through 2027.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gardner is best known for his physical, two-way approach to the game. At 191 centimeters and 100 kilograms, he brings size and strength to the forward lines, while his faceoff work has been a defining skill throughout his career, highlighted by his 280 wins during his freshman season at North Dakota. Coaches have consistently valued his responsible defensive play, willingness to compete in heavy situations, and ability to contribute on the penalty kill.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gardner’s signature achievements are his 2016 NCAA Championship with the University of North Dakota, his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators in 2021, and his decision in 2025 to sign with HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Each of these moments marked a clear step forward in a career that has progressed from junior hockey in Alberta to the top professional leagues in the world.
Rhett Gardner Career Wins
Rhett Gardner’s most prominent team victory came at the collegiate level, when he helped the University of North Dakota capture the 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, the program’s first national title in 16 years. He also won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge. At the professional level, Gardner has notched a series of regular-season and shootout wins with the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, and Texas Stars, contributing to a steady, defense-first career rather than a headline-grabbing goal-scoring resume.
North Dakota and Team Canada Highlights
During the 2015–16 season, Gardner played a meaningful role on a North Dakota squad that ended a long national title drought. He then represented Team Canada at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, returning home with a bronze medal. These early team successes helped shape his identity as a winner at multiple levels of the game.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship-level accomplishments, Gardner has put together a consistent professional resume that includes his first NHL goal and first NHL assist, as well as multiple seasons as a trusted defensive forward for the Dallas Stars and Philadelphia Flyers organizations.
Rhett Gardner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rhett Gardner is the son of Rob Gardner and Renee Gardner, who raised him in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The family supported his early hockey development, including his decision to leave Western Hockey League draft discussions behind in order to pursue an NCAA path with the University of North Dakota.
Personal Life
Gardner has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye. Public information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a period of significant transition for Rhett Gardner. After spending two seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers organization, he signed a two-year contract with HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL on July 8, 2025, formally beginning his European career. The move positions him within one of the league’s most decorated programs, where he is expected to contribute as a physical, defensive forward and a reliable faceoff specialist.
Adapting to the larger international ice surface and the KHL’s travel demands will be a central storyline of Gardner’s 2025–26 campaign. With his contract running through 2027, both Gardner and CSKA Moscow have committed to a multi-year partnership aimed at consistent two-way play and depth scoring.
Looking ahead, Gardner’s 2025 season is likely to be defined by how quickly he establishes a role within CSKA Moscow’s lineup and how comfortably he settles into the KHL’s style of play. His track record of steady, responsible hockey at the NHL level suggests he is well positioned to make a smooth transition and become a dependable contributor for one of the league’s flagship franchises.