Brian Burke, President and GM of the Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the hockey club has signed defenceman Jake Gardiner to a three-year entry level contract. Gardiner will report to the AHL’s Marlies for the remainder of the season. The Leafs acquired Gardiner on February 9 from the Ducks along with Joffrey Lupul and a conditional fourth round draft pick in 2013 in exchange for defenceman Francois Beauchemin. The 20 year-old-native of Deephaven, Minnesota was originally Anaheim’s first choice, selected 17th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Gardiner played 41 games for the University of Wisconsin this season and collected 40 points on 10 goals and 30 assists with 30 penalty minutes.