Former Canadiens first-round pick passes away at 70

Some sad news to report on in the hockey world on Monday as the National Hockey League's Alumni Twitter account announced that former Montreal Canadiens first-round pick Dave Gardner has passed away at the age of 70.

Before entering the NHL, Gardner was a standout with the Toronto Marlies in the Ontario Hockey Association, recording 266 points in 119 games, 129 of which came during his draft year.

Gardner, a native of Toronto, was selected eighth overall in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft by the Canadiens and went on to appear in 350 career games for Montreal, St. Louis, the California Seals, St. Louis Blues, Cleveland Barons and the Philadelphia Flyers. He amassed 190 points (75 goals, 115 assists) in his NHL career. For his final professional season, Gardner played for Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland.

Gardner's son, Ryan, followed in his dad's footsteps and headed to Switzerland, where he had a 20-year professional career, eventually gaining Swiss citizenship and representing them at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Our thoughts are with the Gardner family at this difficult time.

The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Dave Gardner has passed away at the age of 70.

Dave was drafted to the @NHL in 1972 to the @CanadiensMTL, 8th overall. He played 350 games in the league for numerous teams, scoring 190 points.

Hockey has run through https://t.co/lNNIk6WxQ8 pic.twitter.com/n4YiCCsyKh— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) March 20, 2023

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