C Matthew Gard - Red Deer Rebels, WHL (2025, 57th, PHI)

[Bubbles]

Matthew Gard - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Off to a red hot start in the dub. 2G, 1A tonight. 6'4.5, 193 lbs. Lanky winger.

 

[BKarchitect]

WHL fans - what do we make of Gard? He's showing up pretty consistently in that round 2/3 range of mid-season draft projections, including squarely inside round 2 of Bobby's mid-season poll. His raw stats aren't terribly impressive but he's a big boy.

Is he more of a raw power forward type with real puck skills and vision that are still being unlocked or is he more of a big meat and potatoes type with projectable physical traits but limited upside?

Also I keep seeing him listed as a center - is he more of a center or winger?

Thanks!

 

[Briser la glace]

WHL fans - what do we make of Gard? He's showing up pretty consistently in that round 2/3 range of mid-season draft projections, including squarely inside round 2 of Bobby's mid-season poll. His raw stats aren't terribly impressive but he's a big boy.

Is he more of a raw power forward type with real puck skills and vision that are still being unlocked or is he more of a big meat and potatoes type with projectable physical traits but limited upside?

Also I keep seeing him listed as a center - is he more of a center or winger?

Thanks!

I personnally have him ranked as a "Physical TWO-WAY FORWARD", with a clear 4th line projection. He brings more defensively than he does offensively I think and he does not have the highest pace.

But he seems very strong already and he uses his size/strength very well. He is not the most intense, but he hits a lot, he's hard to knock off balance, he applies very good pressure on the puck carrier in all three zones and uses his stick very well.

He is a capable puck distributor. I think he has a decent vision and good reads/ideas overall, but not necessarily the mechanical skills or the puckhandling to complete these plays, although he's shown flashes, it just doesn't seem to always be consistent. I did not have much to complain about his decision-making in my isolated viewings so far tbh.

If he continues to develop his playmaking ability he could become a solid 3rd liner center I think.

 

[Bubbles]

WHL fans - what do we make of Gard? He's showing up pretty consistently in that round 2/3 range of mid-season draft projections, including squarely inside round 2 of Bobby's mid-season poll. His raw stats aren't terribly impressive but he's a big boy.

Is he more of a raw power forward type with real puck skills and vision that are still being unlocked or is he more of a big meat and potatoes type with projectable physical traits but limited upside?

Also I keep seeing him listed as a center - is he more of a center or winger?

Thanks!

Honestly, I've lost track of him over the year. Given it's a weak draft overall he probably fits in right where he's projected.

 

[Bubbles]

Good night to have a hat trick, in front of all the scouts that showed up to watch McQueen. Probably went up a few slots in some NHL teams books. And he's been mostly a centre the whole season.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Philadelphia

 

[Nabrules]

A lot of scouting services say he's actually a good bed to make the NHL as a bottom 6 centre. Given he was PHI's 4th second rounder, good pick.

 

[Chuck Downie]

I’m interested to see how much more offense he will bring under Marc Habscheid.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Any news on him at Flyers' camp? Red Deer was one of the hardest hit teams when it comes to players heading to the NCAA.

Gard is one of the key returning forwards for the Rebels.

 

[Sombastate]

Any news on him at Flyers' camp? Red Deer was one of the hardest hit teams when it comes to players heading to the NCAA.

Gard is one of the key returning forwards for the Rebels.

There is less than a 0% chance of him making the team, so i imagine they'll get him soon enough. Luchanko will make it if a center does, and Nesbitt is apparently turning heads

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

There is less than a 0% chance of him making the team, so i imagine they'll get him soon enough. Luchanko will make it if a center does, and Nesbitt is apparently turning heads

Sorry I wasn't more clear. Didn't mean to suggest he had a chance of making the Flyers.

Was just wondering if he had made any impression either in prospect play or in the early days of camp.

 

[Nabrules]

Sorry I wasn't more clear. Didn't mean to suggest he had a chance of making the Flyers.

Was just wondering if he had made any impression either in prospect play or in the early days of camp.

Not really a stand out but he's shown well for what he could eventually be - a 4th liner who can penalty kill and bring a "hard" game.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Committed to Michigan State

 

[2Mototik2]

Committed to Michigan State

Per his Instagram post, this will be for 27-28.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Per his Instagram post, this will be for 27-28.

Correct

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Committed to Michigan State

Sounds like Flyers may have something here after all.

 

[Fight4yourRight]

33 pts 55 games in the WHL. Yep. Rock solid.