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[Dark Knight]

Gardiner invited to U.S. national camp

Ducks defenseman prospect Jake Gardiner has been invited to the U.S. national junior evaluation camp this summer, the first step toward potential placement on the U.S. team for the 2010 World Junior Championship.

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[Rooch20]

Nearly a year after being taken by the Ducks with the 17th overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Jake Gardiner received another big call recently, one inviting the defenseman to the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp being held this summer.

http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=pag...rticleid=425820

Congrats and good luck Jake!

[wildwing94]

Gardiner Adapting Just Fine

Though Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Jake Gardiner, a Minneapolis native, could better be called a mountain climber. The speed with which Gardiner has scaled the learning curve while moving from forward to defense has been nothing short of astonishing.

The shift was done prior to 2007-08, his senior season at Minnetonka (Minn.) High School. It went so well -- he led his team with 20 goals and 48 points -- that the Anaheim Ducks selected him with the No. 17 pick of the 2008 Entry Draft.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Gardiner was listed at 6-foot and 173 pounds when he was drafted, but after one college season, he's grown to 6-2 and 187. That physical growth is helping his growth into his new position.

Wow...

If that could be bottled... Wait ... oh, never mind.

Regardless, that growth is a huge windfall if he maintains his speed and agility, because you know he's going to be learning a hell of a lot. If only Sami Vatanen could have a growth spurt like that. We could be living in high cotton again on our rearguard if those two turn out to have bodies that go with their tremendous skills.

We here in Anaheim now have a Scott Niedermayer addiction, and are not all that impressed by defensive talent that doesn't match up to his all-around game. Big shoes for these young guys to fill, but hey... we ain't never taking them off in Anaheim.

[Sojourn]

Wow...

If that could be bottled... Wait ... oh, never mind.

Regardless, that growth is a huge windfall if he maintains his speed and agility, because you know he's going to be learning a hell of a lot. If only Sami Vatanen could have a growth spurt like that. We could be living in high cotton again on our rearguard if those two turn out to have bodies that go with their tremendous skills.

We here in Anaheim now have a Scott Niedermayer addiction, and are not all that impressed by defensive talent that doesn't match up to his all-around game. Big shoes for these young guys to fill, but hey... we ain't never taking them off in Anaheim.

You and I occasionally disagree, but man, you said everything I wanted to.