Luke Gazdic

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Luke Gazdic
Luke Gazdic - Edmonton Oilers.jpg
Gazdic in February 2014
Born (1989-07-25) July 25, 1989 (age 36)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 233 lb (106 kg; 16 st 9 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Edmonton Oilers
New Jersey Devils
NHL draft 172nd overall, 2007
Dallas Stars
Playing career 20092020

Luke Gazdic (born July 25, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Gazdic was selected 172nd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. He played for the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils during his National Hockey League (NHL) career. Gazdic mainly played as an enforcer. [1] Since 2023, he has served as an analyst for NHL on Sportsnet. [2] [3]

Contents

Playing career

Gazdic in 2014 20140927-LukeGazdic.jpg
Gazdic in 2014

On September 29, 2013, Gazdic was claimed on waivers by the Edmonton Oilers from the Dallas Stars. [4]

Playing on opening night of the 2013–14 NHL season, Gazdic made his NHL debut on October 1, 2013, [5] and scored his first NHL goal at 2:21 of the first period past Winnipeg Jets' goalie Ondrej Pavelec, to record the first goal of the 2013–14 Edmonton Oilers season. [6] He made eight points in his time with the Oilers, playing as an enforcer. [1]

On July 5, 2016, having left the Oilers as a free agent, Gazdic agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with the New Jersey Devils. [7] He appeared in 11 games throughout the 2016–17 season with the Devils.

On July 2, 2017, Gazdic returned to Canada as a free agent in signing a one-year, two-way deal with the Calgary Flames. [8] Gazdic was reassigned to the AHL with affiliate, the Stockton Heat for the duration of the 2017–18 season. In 61 regular season games, he contributed with 1 goal and 2 points while posting 59 penalty minutes.

As a free agent from the Flames, and with no NHL contract over the summer, Gazdic joined the San Diego Gulls training camp on a try-out and later made the AHL opening night roster for the 2018–19 season. [9] He made 20 appearances with the Gulls posting 3 goals and 7 points. In the following off-season, Gazdic opted to continue his tenure with the Gulls agreeing to a one-year contract on August 14, 2019. [10] In June 2021, Gazdic announced his retirement. [11] [12]

Personal life

His brothers Benjamin and Mark are also ice hockey players. His father, Mike Gazdic, was drafted in 1978 NHL Amateur Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

Gazdic is related to his former Oilers teammate Connor McDavid through McDavid's marriage to Gazdic's date’s cousin, Lauren Kyle; Gazdic had set the couple up on a blind date. [13]

Career statistics

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2004–05North York Rangers U16 AAA GTHL 3813162924
2004–05 North York Rangers OPJHL 10000
2005–06 Wexford Raiders OPJHL471716331051005514
2006–07 Erie Otters OHL 585813136
2007–08 Erie OttersOHL67171229144
2008–09 Erie OttersOHL6320103012750009
2008–09 Idaho Steelheads ECHL 21011420000
2009–10 Texas Stars AHL 49314155
2009–10 Idaho SteelheadsECHL411210
2010–11 Texas StarsAHL72981711050002
2011–12 Texas StarsAHL76111223102
2012–13 Texas StarsAHL59471180800019
2013–14 Edmonton Oilers NHL 67224127
2014–15 Edmonton OilersNHL4021343
2014–15 Oklahoma City Barons AHL52027
2015–16 Edmonton OilersNHL2910124
2015–16 Bakersfield Condors AHL111236
2016–17 Albany Devils AHL3716763
2016–17 New Jersey Devils NHL1100012
2017–18 Stockton Heat AHL6111259
2018–19 San Diego Gulls AHL203473910002
2019–20 San Diego GullsAHL70002
AHL totals3973541766231400023
NHL totals147538206

References

  1. 1 2 Staples, David (March 16, 2015). "Luke Gazdic playing best hockey of his career, but is it enough for him to stick?". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  2. Augurusa, Felicia (April 19, 2024). "Sportsnet Announces 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Coverage Details, Beginning April 20". Rogers Sports & Media. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  3. "What it was like living with a rookie Connor McDavid". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  4. "Oilers claim Gazdic". Edmonton Oilers. September 29, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  5. Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club. "Schedule". NHL. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  6. "Jets spoil Eakins' debut with win over Oilers". National Hockey League. October 2, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  7. "Gazdic inks one-year contract with Devils". NHL. July 5, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. "Flames sign forward Luke Gazdic to one-year deal". Sportsnet.ca. July 2, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  9. "Gulls announces training camp roster". San Diego Gulls. October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  10. "Gulls sign six players to one-year contracts". San Diego Gulls. August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  11. "Luke Gazdic: Hangs up skates". CBSSports.com. June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  12. "Luke Gazdic looks back fondly on days with Edmonton Oilers". theworldnews.net. June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  13. "Connor McDavid's wife reveals Sportsnet analyst set up the couple in new interview". Yardbarker. February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.