FORT ST. JOHN -- Cayden Lindstrom has been selected as the 4th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old was scouted by an agent while playing midget hockey in Fort St. John.
He was then drafted in 2021 by the Medicine Hat Tigers to play in the Western Hockey League.
Born in Chetwynd, Lindstrom is a member of the Driftpile Cree Nation.
The Centre, standing 6’4”, is credited for his physical presence and speed on the ice.
“We'd like to send over a huge congratulations to our very own Cayden Lindstrom,” said the Medicine Hat Tigers in a social media statement.
Lindstrom had eight two-goal games and 16 multipoint games this year and also has skated for Canada at international tournaments.
In the second round, the Blue Jackets used the 60th pick of the draft to select Evan Gardner.
The 18 year old goaltender from from Fort St. John had an excellent year for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.
Gardner posted a 21-5-0 record with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 30 appearances during his rookie season with Saskatoon in 2023-24.
Gardner was named a finalist for the WHL’s Rookie of the Year (East Division) after finishing the season with the highest SV% and lowest GAA in the league.
