Stars sign forward Rhett Gardner to two-year contract

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed forward Rhett Gardner to a two-year contract, which will run through the 2022-23 season. The two-year contract, which is two-way for the 2021-22 season and one-way for the 2022-23 season, is worth $1.5 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $750,000.

Gardner, 25, registered two points (1-1=2) in 28 regular-season NHL games with Dallas in 2020-21. Gardner finished the season tied for 10th on the Stars with 52 hits, while his 1.86 hits-per-game average was good for fifth on the team. The forward also skated in two regular-season American Hockey League (AHL) games with Texas, posting five shots on goal and four penalty minutes.

Gardner has appeared in 36 career NHL regular-season games, all with Dallas, and has recorded two points (1-1=2). Additionally, he has recorded 29 points (13-16=29) in 68 career AHL games over three seasons with Texas. Gardner, who won the 2016 NCAA National Championship, spent four seasons with the University of North Dakota (NCAA), amassing 74 points (34-40=74) in 149 career games.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound native of Moose Jaw, Sask., was originally selected by Dallas in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.