by KELLY FRIESEN
Journal editor
Humboldt product Reid Gardiner hoped to don a sweater at the NHL entry draft in Philadelphia on June 28, but when that didn't work out, he was pleased to receive an invite to the Minnesota Wild's development camp.
"It was good news to hear that I got a camp invite," said Gardiner, who will take part in the development camp from July 9-14. "It was nice to get some good news after the disappointment of the draft. I know the camp will be a good experience and a good opportunity for me."
Ultimately, it was shocking to see Gardiner get passed over in the draft. Following scoring 22 goals and 44 points in 70 games with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, it seemed he was a lock to atleast go in the later rounds. To add to that point, NHL Central Scouting Service ranked him 29th among North American skaters in their final ranking.
"When I was ranked that high, I thought I would be taken," said the 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward. "Usually players ranked that high get drafted, but I knew there was a chance I could get passed on. There have been players before that were ranked high and ended up not getting drafted, so I knew there was a chance. Anything can happen on the draft floor."
Despite the disappointment, Gardiner doesn't regret that he traveled with his family to Philadelphia to take in the draft.
"I'm still happy I went to the draft," he said. "It was a good experience to watch it all even though I didn't get picked."
It seems Gardiner may have been passed over because of how his production slowed down in the latter half of his sophomore season with the Raiders. He started the year on fire with 19 goals and 34 points in 27 contests, but noticeably slowed down with three goals and 10 points in his last 33 games. His points-per-game ratio fell from 1.26 before the Christmas break to .30 after it.
"The puck was not bouncing my way," said Gardiner. "I wasn't getting the shots because either I couldn't get a handle on it, it would hit the post or the goalie would make a good save. It was frustrating when I felt I really had a good start to the year. I wanted to continue that into the second half, but I couldn't bring it together."
Even though his production dropped, his draft stock rose according to NHL CSS. The scouting service boosted him 11 spots from his 40th overall mid-term ranking. This made Gardiner believe his value on the draft floor was fairly strong.
"I was happy when my ranking went up like it did by them," he said. "I thought that was a good sign, but I guess it didn't really matter."
In the end, the entry draft is a far cry from the be-all and end-all. Several highly talented players such as New York Rangers blueliner Dan Boyle and former goalie Curtis Joseph were never drafted. In addition, lots of drafted players end up not receiving an entry-level contract every year.
"It is something you can't let break you," said Gardiner. "There are some very good players that were passed over before."
Gardiner, 18, can't wait to get back on the ice with the Raiders to start the 2014-15 season. He feels getting passed over gives him "extra motivation" to prove himself next year.
"I'm definitely motivated to show that I'm worth a draft choice," said the former Humboldt 'AA' bantam Bronco, who will be eligible for next year's draft. "It gives me extra motivation to work hard in the gym, in practice and in every shift. I want to better myself everyday and continue to work on my goal of getting to that next level."
Before taking part in the Raiders' training camp, Gardiner plans on pushing himself this offseason with a vigorous workout schedule.
"I'm going to work really hard to get ready for camp and be prepared for next year," he said. "I want to be in the best shape possible when camp starts."
