Backcheck: Jake Gardiner

Jake Gardiner has enjoyed a fantastic first year of pro hockey, and it’s not over yet.

The former Wisconsin star, who played 75 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and easily led all NHL rookie defensemen with 30 points, has spent his spring with the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

Gardiner leads the Marlies into the Calder Cup Final, which begins Friday night in Norfolk, Va.

Just before his remarkable season started, Gardiner took some time at one of College Hockey, Inc.’s Reebok Collegiate Hockey Summits to talk to young players in the Toronto area about the college route. We caught up with him afterwards for a few more thoughts.