Ethan Gardula had a tough decision to make this summer.
He could join the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL — the defending Clark Cup champions who drafted him 53rd in the Phase I 2021 draft — or return to Cushing Academy for another crack at a prep title. He was also drafted by the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL. “Getting drafted by Charlottetown was pretty cool — got a text one night. It was a shock,” he said with a smile.
Cushing ultimately was the route he chose. “It was definitely a tough decision,” said Gardula, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound left wing from Princeton, Mass. “But I feel we have unfinished business, a real solid group this year and a definite chance to win it all.”
Gardula was not done with the tough decisions. One of the top 2023 NHL draft-eligible New Englanders, Gardula also honed in on his college future, deciding on the University of Connecticut. “I liked the campus a lot and definitely liked the winning mindset with all the sports teams on campus,” he said. “Coach (Mike) Cavanaugh (North Andover, Mass.) is a great coach and they had a special team last year. I hope to help continue that winning way.”
Gardula had a very busy summer, starting with USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development camp in Buffalo. He also attended the main camp and then the 40-man camp in Sioux City, and played for Team Holske in the Foxboro (Mass.) Summer Prep League.
Gardula hit the gym, putting on more muscle working with Dan Gluck of Bando Performance in Worcester. He also took power skating with Dena Taylor twice a week with other prep players — something he has been doing for four years. Skating has been described as the one knock against Gardula, and with the help of Taylor he has improved greatly.
“Yes, it motivates me when I hear negative comments about my skating,” Gardula said. “It is obviously one of the things I have been concentrating on for the past several summers. I work out with other prep players and it’s very competitive.”
Gardula’s work on his skating and his overall game has not gone unnoticed, as NHL Central Scouting’s David Gregory said: “Ethan is a big, solid winger with a strong skating stride. He demonstrates very good hockey sense and can read the play on the fly. He is an excellent passer, especially when on the offensive attack.”
Gregory added, “Ethan uses his strength to protect the puck well below the dots. He has an effective forechecking game that allows him to retrieve the puck and create scoring chances.”
But like most top prospects, Gardula is always looking to improve his game. “I want to play a 200-foot game, work on my defensive zone coverage,” he said. “I like playing physical, but I want to be known for being a skilled power forward also.”
He is also a big fan of Trevor Zegras, the highly skilled Anaheim Ducks center with NTDP and Boston University roots. “He has so much swagger and is so good offensively,” Gardula said. “I really like his game and he is someone I try to play like in the offensive zone.”
Hearing about Gardula working on his 200-foot game is something Cushing head coach Paul Pearl (Winthrop, Mass.) likes to emphasize. “Coming from college hockey to prep hockey, it was something to teach and stress on defensive zone coverage, but Ethan has made great strides and I feel very trustworthy having him out at any point in the game,” Pearl said.
What would Pearl like to see Gardula do more this year? “Shoot the puck more and to work on his game away from the puck, which starts by having a good preseason in the weight room and on the ice,” Pearl said. “Also, to take a leadership role in the room. If he puts in the work and works hard, he should have a very good year.”
Those are all things that Gardula is working toward. ”I want to be a leader and more assertive both on and off the ice,” he said.
When asked about being in the spotlight this year, Gardula said it motivates him. “When people pick apart my game, it just motivates me even more,” he said. “Hockey is really special to me. I love coming to the rink to be with my teammates to compete with each other in the weight room and on the ice. It drives me.”
Gardula will be spending the fall playing for the Central Mass. Penguins, a team made up mostly of his Cushing teammates, including Landan Resendes (Marlborough, Mass.), a BC commit, and Ryan Philbrick (Concord, NH), who has committed to UNH. Gardula started the preseason off well with six assists in two victories on the opening weekend.
While Gardula’s main focus is helping Cushing strive for an Elite 8 championship, hockey will not end there for him, as his plan is to go to Sioux City in March.
“We have a three-week break in March and I will go out to Sioux City and join the team,” Gardula said. “If things work out, and if they decide to keep me, I will finish the year with them. I will then play next year in Sioux City.”
For now, Gardula will continue working hard, in preparation for a season of fulfillment.
