Roster of Appreciation

Coach Gardner was the ultimate mentor and players coach.

From his many roles around campus to his ability to mentor us as hockey players on the ice and as men off of it, he taught us to strive for greatness.

You had a knack for delivering the hard truths we all needed to hear and we were all better players and people for hearing it.

All the boys did well after leaving Avon and I think you and Pete and company had something to do with that.

Looking back on it, I’m sure Coach Gardner would just think that he treated me as he treated any other player, but I can’t thank him enough for his advice and for everything he has done for me.

It was my good fortunate to have had the opportunity to share multiple decades at Avon with you.

I know you wanted nothing more then to see that opportunity happen for me and I cannot thank you enough for all the effort you put in to make that dream come true.

Coach Gardner is a mountain of a man.

Coach Gardner is one of the most intelligent and exceptional humans, teachers, and coaches I have come across.

He's left an indelible mark on my life and so many of my Avon brothers.

Coach Gardner is not only one of the most impactful coaches in my lifetime, but also one of the most influential mentors in my development as a man.

I met coach Gardner at the age of four at the John Gardner Hockey Camp...

John Gardner is an incredible hockey coach...

Thank you for being a mentor to so many boys over the course of your career.

To sum up John Gardner in a few words I would say: motivator, leader, disciplined, demanding, and funny.

I sincerely cherish my four years at Avon, and John Gardner’s impact on my career and development was profound...

JTG has changed the lives of countless students and players...

Coach Gardner, Thanks for being so influential in my hockey development...

A funny story was when John Gardner and I watched Nick Bonino play prior to...

Coach Gardner and the AOF Community taught me what it meant to be a teammate, a classmate, and a role model...

Coach, when you first saw me at Avon you promised me that even at...