George Gardner

Who was George Gardner?

George Edward "Bud" Gardner was the first-ever goaltender for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks. Gardner played for the Canucks after breaking into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings. With the Wings, Gardner had to compete with Roger Crozier and Roy Edwards for playing time. In Vancouver, he played in 42 games over two seasons before jumping to the new World Hockey Association. In 1972-73, he spent much of the season as the number 1 goalie for the Los Angeles Sharks, and teamed with Russ Gillow to help the Sharks to a 3rd place finish and allow the 3rd fewest goals in the WHA.