Jake Gardiner Siblings: Get to Know Max Gardiner and Paige Gardiner

Jake William Gardiner, born on July 4, 1990, in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is a former professional ice hockey defenseman who carved out a notable career in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Known for his smooth skating and offensive flair, Gardiner played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, showcasing his skills as a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman.

Born to parents Jill and John Gardiner, Jake grew up in a supportive family environment where his father, who ran a printing business, also coached his youth hockey teams.

Gardiner’s journey from a high school standout to an NHL regular highlights his dedication to the sport, though his career was ultimately cut short by chronic back injuries.

Siblings

Jake has two siblings, namely Max Gardiner and Paige Gardiner.

However, not much is known about the two, including their personal lives or career pursuits, as they live a private life compared to their famous brother.

Career

Gardiner’s hockey career began in Minnesota, where he starred at Minnetonka High School.

Initially a forward, he switched to defense before his senior year on the advice of Minnesota State University coach Troy Jutting, a move that shaped his future.

His senior year performance earned him a top-10 finalist spot for the Mr. Hockey Award, and in 2008, the Anaheim Ducks selected him 17th overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

Instead of jumping to the pros, Gardiner attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played three seasons for the Badgers.

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As a freshman, he earned a spot on the WCHA All-Rookie Team, and by his junior year, he led the team’s defensemen in scoring, earning All-WCHA First Team honors.

In 2011, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he signed a three-year entry-level contract and debuted in the 2011–12 season, scoring his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders.

Gardiner’s time with the Maple Leafs was marked by offensive highs, including a career-best 43 points in the 2016–17 season, though he faced criticism for defensive lapses, particularly during the 2018–19 season when a herniated disc hampered his play.

In 2019, he signed a four-year, 16.2 million dollar contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, but back and hip injuries sidelined him for the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, effectively ending his career.

Despite reports of recovery, he did not return to the NHL, concluding his professional tenure as an unrestricted free agent after the 2022–23 season.

Accolades

Gardiner’s career, while polarizing among fans due to his high-risk style, was decorated with several notable achievements.

At the collegiate level, he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in his freshman year at Wisconsin and later earned All-WCHA Second Team and First Team honors in his sophomore and junior years, respectively.

In the NHL, his standout 2011–12 rookie season with the Toronto Maple Leafs saw him lead all rookie defensemen in scoring, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Gardiner’s 2016–17 season was a high point, with a career-high 43 points and a +24 rating, placing him among the league’s top-scoring defensemen.

In 2017–18, he reached 50 points, joining Morgan Rielly as the first Maple Leafs defensemen to do so since 2006–07.

Despite these accomplishments, injuries prevented him from adding to his accolades later in his career, leaving a legacy as a talented but injury-plagued offensive defenseman.