Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Cal Gardner
open-in-new
<p>Calvin Pearly "Ginger, Red, Torchy" Gardner (October 30, 1924 – October 10, 2001) was a Canadian professional <a href="/facts/Ice_hockey/jY0ERSmw">ice hockey</a> player. In 1943, after playing professional hockey for three years and winning the <a href="/facts/Memorial_Cup/tRyKkaVn">Memorial Cup</a>, he joined the <a href="/facts/Canadian_military/bxd17dtq">Canadian military</a> and took part in <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>. After the war, he returned to professional hockey, joining the <a href="/facts/New_York_Rangers/TvXNe8Gh">New York Rangers</a> affiliate, the <a href="/facts/New_York_Rovers/wVzgHEjX">New York Rovers</a>. With the Rovers, Gardner <a href="/facts/Centre_(ice_hockey)/wweVqgMI">centred</a> a line with fellow Manitobans <a href="/facts/Church_Russell/ahXoKKdj">Church Russell</a> and <a href="/facts/Rene_Trudell/9RTCErCL">Rene Trudell</a>. The trio were dominant, with all three players being called up to the Rangers and making their <a href="/facts/National_Hockey_League/sLo4QAS8">National Hockey League</a> debut on February 10, 1946. From their debut, the trio remained intact as a <a href="/facts/Line_(ice_hockey)/Hr93XqPu">line</a> until December 1947, with the unit being nicknamed "Whiz Kids" and the "rover-boy line." Following the 1948 season, the Rangers traded Gardner to the <a href="/facts/Toronto_Maple_Leafs/IeIDPW8k">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>, with whom he won two <a href="/facts/Stanley_Cup/ud6WrXrI">Stanley Cup</a> championships. </p><p>Gardner was later a hockey announcer with Toronto radio station <a href="/facts/CJCL/SgMJthMy">CKFH</a> in the 1970s. </p><p>He died in 2001. His two sons <a href="/facts/Paul_Gardner_(ice_hockey)/nvD7nSX8">Paul</a> and <a href="/facts/Dave_Gardner_(ice_hockey)/2R12b22j">Dave</a> were also professional ice hockey players. </p><p>While playing for the <a href="/facts/Springfield_Indians/L7aXWXQo">Springfield Indians</a> of the <a href="/facts/American_Hockey_League/vXV0G455">AHL</a> in the <a href="/facts/1957%25E2%2580%259358_AHL_season/2UdWp7Vn">1957–58</a> season, Gardner served as an assistant coach. Gardner also served as a player-head coach while with the <a href="/facts/Kingston_Frontenacs_(EPHL)/kAIXVBIp">Kingston Frontenacs</a> of the <a href="/facts/Eastern_Professional_Hockey_League_(1959%25E2%2580%259363)/ttqQEtyE">EPHL</a> in 1959-60. </p>