By Brad Elliott Schlossman on Jun 25, 2016 at 5:21 p.m.
Rhett Gardner was in Saskatchewan on Saturday morning for his sister’s graduation.
The Dallas Stars gave his family another reason to celebrate, too.
After being passed over in the last two NHL Drafts, Gardner was picked in the fourth round by the Dallas Stars in his final year of draft eligibility, the culmination of a terrific freshman year at North Dakota.
Gardner — one of five current or future UND players taken in the event — went with the No. 116 overall pick to the Stars, an organization where UND head coach Brad Berry spent eight years as a player and one as a coach.
“I knew there was a chance that I would get drafted,” Gardner said. “I wouldn’t say I felt 100 percent going in. I didn’t think I would go in the fourth round like I did. I was expecting the sixth or seventh round. It’s really exciting to end up with the Stars.”
Gardner’s role with the eventual NCAA national champions continually increased throughout the season.