Jake Gardiner picks UW

Minnetonka (Minn.) defenseman Jake Gardiner has commited to the University of Wisconsin.

A converted forward, he has told the Wisconsin State Journal that he will finish his senior season for Minnetonka who plays in the Lake Conference. After that his future is up in the air. The Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL drafted him this past season and currently own his rights should he decide to take that route after next season. Wisconsin is pretty thin on defense with only Ryan Little (Green Bay, USHL) committed as a defenseman in the 2008 class.

Gardiner recently participated in the prestigious Minnesota Model Camp for team black. This past season as a forward for Minnetonka he finished with 10 goals and 22 assists. This July Jake will be participating in the USA Hockey, Advanced 17 National Festival in St. Cloud. Committed forwards Derek Stepan and Jordy Murray were also selected from the Minnesota region along with potential recruit, defenseman Corey Fienhage from Eastview HS.

Gardiner is also pretty good on the Golf Course. He helped Minnetonka to the Minnesota AA State Golf Title June 5-6, 2007 with a combined 2 day score of 160. Minnetonka beat Forest Lake by 6 strokes. In the summer of 2005 Gardiner aced #4 at the Wayzata Country Club.