He played junior hockey for the Swift Current Broncos. In his last year, 1988-89, Lambert won the Bill Hunter Trophy (WHL), the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy, and the Memorial Cup. Despite this impressive season, he was only chosen 106th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. His small size (5'8") led many to question his durability and toughness. He spent one more year with the Broncos. The Jets left him down with the Moncton Hawks in 1992-93. Gardner got frustrated and junped to HIFK Helsinki in 1993. However, he did not make the team and returned to North America.