A Humboldt born hockey player has put his health at the forefront of focus as he steps away from his hockey career. 

Erik Gardiner, who is born in Humboldt and played for both the Humboldt Broncos Bantam AA as well as the Jr. A Broncos, has made the difficult decision to step away from the game and hang up the skates, citing health reasons as the main contributor.

"There were lots of things that went into the decision but one of the main things was concussions and head injuries. I've had a few over the last couple years and just decided that for my health and for my future that it was time to step away from hockey," said Gardiner.

The decision is never an easy one, especially someone who made it to the level that Gardiner did having played 133 games in the WHL, most recently with the Kelowna Rockets. 

"It was extremely tough, it weighed on me for a couple of days. I talked to some good friend that I trust and my parents and ultimately came to the decision that it was best for my health not to take the risk of getting another one and it affecting my health in the future. I've spent my whole life playing hockey, but I think there's more to hockey and there's more to life and hopefully, I'll get to enjoy some of those things."

Gardiner played 25 games for the Humboldt Broncos in 2016/17 and grew up in the hockey-loved city which he cherished throughout his hockey career. 

"Humboldt was everything a young hockey player could have asked for. They do a great job with minor hockey here and I had every chance to succeed. Playing hockey for the Broncos was awesome. It was one of my fondest memories of junior hockey. They gave me the chance to succeed and develop my skills to eventually get traded to Kelowna and play there for over 100 games."

His time with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL lasted three years and over 100 games including his final year, this year, where he was named the assistant captain.

"I can't thank them enough for everything they did for me. I made a lot of friendships there. Getting to play in front of the fans there, travelling around western Canada, and playing against the best, it was a fun experience for sure."

The decision to walk away from playing at the highest level of junior hockey in Canada came with the focus on new things including university, but hockey will always be a part of his life.

"I think that hockey will always be in my back pocket. If there was an opportunity to coach I.m sure that would be something id jump on. Right now, just going to apply for U of S to go to school for the fall and that's the main focus, for now, just getting my head healthy and apply for school and hopefully going to get in. Like I said if something jumps up in the future with hockey id probably take a stab at it and see how it would work out, who knows after that."