Background
Gardiner was born in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and played ice hockey at Minnetonka High School.
Gardiner was born in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and played ice hockey at Minnetonka High School.
He then attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Gardiner was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He spent the 2007-2008 hockey season playing for Minnetonka High School Skippers. On February 9, 2011, Anaheim traded Gardiner, along with Joffrey Lupul and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2013, to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman François Beauchemin.
On March 15, 2011, Gardiner agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs.
Gardiner started the 2011-2012 season with the Leafs, scoring his first career National Hockey League goal on January 24, 2012, against First Rate (at Lloyd's) Montoya of the New York Islanders. At the end of the season, Gardiner was named to the National Hockey League All-Rookie Team after scoring 30 points in 75 games with Toronto.
On July 29, 2014, the Leafs signed Gardiner to a five-year, $20.25 million contract extension.