John Gardner, who coached hockey at Avon Old Farms for 50 years, winning over 800 games and developing some of the greatest players to come out of New England, died Saturday, the school has confirmed. Gardner, who had a long battle with cancer, was 73.
“John Gardner was bigger than life,” said UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh, who has been recruiting Gardner’s players for decades. “I know so many players who have played for him, and I don’t know of one that didn’t rave about him. The hockey world will miss him, and he was such a great guy off the ice, even guys who didn’t play hockey loved him.”
Gardner played hockey, baseball and football at Wesleyan, and went into coaching almost immediately after graduating in 1975, turning Avon Old Farms one of the most powerful and respected prep programs in the United States, winning nine New England championships, and a destination for players with NHL potential.
Among the long list of notable players Gardner coached are Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, who played at Avon before turning pro in 1986, and went on to lead the Rangers to the Stanley Cup. Goalkeeper Jonathan Quick, likely a future Hall-of-Famer, also played for Gardner before leading the L.A. Kings to the championship. Quick is still with playing, with the Rangers. Nick Bonino, another Avon Old Farms alum, played on multiple championship teams during his NHL career, bringing The Cup to campus in 2016.
Cam Atkinson went from AOF to Boston College, where Cavanaugh was an assistant coach, and played on an NCAA championship team in 2010. Atkinson went on to the NHL for a long career, retiring last October.
“He was able to put smiles on kids’ faces every single day,” said Tabor Heaslip, who played for Avon Old Farms and is now a UConn captain. “Whether you were on the hockey team or not, he was approachable and he had the best stories, so he was able to relate. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a little bit of his success and to have him as a mentor and learn from him. To get to see what he values, his passion for the community of Avon was super-awesome. He was a big role model for me, we’d stayed in touch and I’m definitely going to miss him.”
In 2019, Gardner’s 44th season, two of his players were chosen in the first round of the NHL Draft, Trevor Zegras and Spencer Knight. He won his 800th game in 2021 and kept going, stepping away to concentrate on his health last year, finishing with 867 victories, a prep school coaching record. Gardner was well known for his humility, usually deflecting credit and praise to his players and those around him.
“You’ve got to get good kids to come to your school,” Gardner once said. “Hopefully you get good kids who are good players. You’ve got to recognize who you’re talking to, who the athletes are, how they should be treated. When you work with teenage boys, you’re aware of what their world is. You sort of remain young by being around young people.”
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Tributes for Gardner poured onto social media from the prep school and hockey communities, former players and students, after Avon Old Farms announced passing before a game on Saturday.
“He did it all in terms of wins and championships, but he impacted players,” said Sacred Heart coach CJ Marottolo said via X. “He made a difference in their lives. He always has his players backs no matter what.”
Eric Quinlan, who played for Gardner and is now pro hockey player agent, posted, “John Gardner wasn’t just a coach at Avon Old Farms — he was a mentor who shaped my life not only at AOF, but for 2 decades. His lessons, wit and leadership stay with me to this day.”
Gardner, born in Idaho, moved to Connecticut when his parents, originally from Redding, relocated. His father was a teacher and coach at Salisbury. The prep school lifestyle never left his blood’ he was a popular math teacher, coached baseball and football and served as AD and provost during his 50 years at Avon.
“He was a great educator,” said Rob Dowling, longtime baseball coach at AOF. “John was filled with common sense, and he was filled with devotion to doing what’s right for the students. He was a tough guy, not afraid to make tough decisions and he made them boldly, but always he would ask me, ‘what’s best for the kids? … what’s best for the kids?’ and that would determine what he would decide to do. He was devoted to the students and understood the balance between athletics, academics, wellness, and all of that.”
Gardner leaves his wife Miriam, two daughters, Lisa and Jennifer, and his grandchildren; arrangements are pending.