C Matthew Gard - Red Deer Rebels, WHL (2025 Draft)

[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.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842373462226014574

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[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.