Greg Gardner will be entering his eighth season on the Laker coaching staff. Gardner assists with all aspects of the program, focusing on all recruiting efforts, video, system coaching and on-ice development of all players.
While at Mercyhurst, Gardner has helped develop multiple All-AHA players and has been part of coaching staffs that has participated in multiple AHA Frozen Fours.
During the 2017-18 season, Mercyhurst won the Regular Season Atlantic Hockey Conference title while having the top power play percentage in AHA scoring at 23.5%. The Lakers earned five All-AHA conference team award winners as well. During the 2015-16 Gardner's tutelage led to freshman goaltender Adam Carlson, signing a NHL contract with the Washington Capitals, the 6th in the program's history.
Prior to Mercyhurst, Gardner spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Princeton University, where he was responsible for coordinating and monitoring all aspects of the recruiting process and overall team and individual player development. While at Princeton, Gardner contributed to the development of two players that went on to sign National Hockey League contracts including current NHL Goalie Michael Condon. Prior to joining Princeton's coaching staff, Gardner spent five seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Niagara University. He helped lead the Purple Eagles to two CHA regular-season championships, one CHA tournament championship, and one NCAA tournament appearance.
Gardner was a standout goaltender for Niagara graduating cum laude with a degree in commerce and psychology in 2000. During the 1999-2000 season, Gardner led the NCAA in goals against average (1.53), and set an NCAA record for shutouts in a season (12). He also led the Purple Eagles to the CHA regular season and tournament titles while earning an NCAA at large bid and defeating top seed UNH in the first round. He was named to the NCAA West Regional All Tournament Team. Gardner was also named Niagara University's Student-Athlete of the Year and earned the school's Ockerman Award as the top business student.
After graduating from Niagara, he became the first-ever player signed to an NHL contract by the then-expansion Columbus Blue Jackets. He was also the first player signed to an NHL contract from Niagara University. During his seven-year professional career, Gardner spent time with Rochester and Syracuse in the American Hockey League along with Mississippi and Dayton in the East Coast Hockey League from 2000 to 2004 before heading overseas to play in Germany for ESBG Bundesliga from 2004 to 2006. He was an All-ECHL Second Team selection in 2003 and was the Bundesliga Goaltender of the Year in 2006.
Greg resides in Fairview Pa. with his wife Lauren and children Ava, Rachel, and Joshua
