Bio

Scott Gardiner was named the second head coach in Cleary hockey history on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Gardiner has over 20 years of coaching experience, and has coached in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), the Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL), the United States Hockey League (USHL), the North American Hockey League (NAHL), and the Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL).  He has also spent time coaching youth and club hockey teams in the area, working with the Little Caesar’s and Belle Tire club teams, winning a state championship with the Belle Tire Midget Majors in 2010.  His ties to the area are strong, as he was the head coach for Hartland High School hockey from 1999-2001.

In his first full season at the helm of Cleary hockey, Gardiner led the Cougars to a 16-20 regular season record, with a 10-14 record within the WHAC, both win totals were the most in program history for a single season.  His efforts also allowed him to be named the WHAC Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season, becoming only the second Cougar head coach to earn that honor in any sport.

As a player, Gardiner played collegiately at the University of Windsor after playing in the OHL for the Belleville Bulls and the Windsor Spitfires (1981-84).  He played his way to a free-agent tryout with the NHL’s New York Rangers in 1985.

Gardiner lives in Brighton, Michigan.