Cassius Gardner Becomes VHLE AGM
Former VHLM player Cassius Gardner recently has become the assistant GM for the Oslo Storm. He started his playing career in Halifax before being drafted to the Saskatoon Wild. There, he took on a bigger role and made a bigger difference for his team. In Season 72, Gardner's second season with Saskatoon and third in the VHLM, the team took home the Founder's Cup. While he took a step back statistically, his play in the center of the ice was a vital part of why the Wild were able to achieve this success. Cassius played one more season for the team and had the best year of his career, but ultimately did not see any chance of moving to the big leagues. So after Season 73, he hung up his skates and began pursuing opportunities in the managerial side of things.
Initially, Gardner worked menial jobs for an assortment of different VHLM teams. At one point, he was considered for more lucrative coaching and managing jobs for minor league teams, but it never came to fruition and he continued about his job cycle. The induction of the VHLE meant more opportunities for both players and coaches to propel themselves into the public limelight, however Cassius surprisingly did not actively pursue a promotion to a GM or even an assistant GM job. Inner reports noted that he might end his hockey career altogether to focus on other ventures. As quickly as things change though, they can change again. Out of the blue, the Storm GM reached out with an offer to become his assistant GM, and in a shocking move, Gardner accepted.
It will be interesting to see how this move affects the team and Cassius Gardner's career because of his inexperience in any prominent role.