Matthew Gard – 2025 NHL Draft Prospects Information – Hockey Writer – NHL Draft

0 0 4 minutes read

Matthew Gard

Team 2024-25: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Date of birth: April 7, 2007
Place of birth: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
HT: 6’5 wt: 192 lbs
Shooting: Left
Location: C/LW
NHL Draft Qualification: Qualifications in 2025

Ranking

Matthew Gard took a huge step with the Red Deer Rebels in his second season. In the 2023-24 rookie season, he had only seven goals and 18 points, jumping to 19 goals and 36 points in the draft year this season. He also became one of the most trusted strikers for head coach David Struch, who was deployed in a critical situation where he needed a face-off victory and two special teams. According to the Neutral Zone, he recorded 1:59 ice time per game, with an average of 15 faceoffs (winning 51%), 4.2 takeaways per game, 2.5 loose puck recovery and 0.79 blocks, and effective in defense. Basically, he is Aleksander Barkov of Struch.

“You don’t know if he’s going to be a winger or a center, but even the left wing he’s brought us a lot of important appeal. He did go a long way in the center and the wing. We used him in both because he’s our asset.”

Gader’s cooperation with the Rebels this season also attracted the attention of the Canadian team at the U18 World Championship, where Canada eventually won the gold medal in Sweden. He didn’t get a lot of ice time, but still scored goals and four points in seven games, his best performance against Slovakia on April 24, with a 9-2 victory in Canada, and he scored goals and six goals in 14:55 ice time. He then played two supporting performances in his next match against Latvia. Overall, despite his ice time getting less and less as the game approaches medals, the fact that he is on the Canadian radar is an achievement in itself, although he doesn’t think he is a major player in the bigger knockout round.

Related: THW’s 2025 NHL Draft Guide

“It’s especially gratifying in a sense that I worked on it and once it’s done, it certainly makes sense… [is] It’s great to be their radar…you never know what will happen. “Gard said in an interview after the game.

Matthew Gard, Taylor Lachance / Red Deer Rebels

Gard’s biggest (pun intended) strength is definitely his size, as he’s already 6-foot-5, weighs 192 pounds, and knows how to use it, whether along the board or the most effective place, in front of the net. Most of his 19 goals this season have been scored within a few feet of the crease, either by trying to get into the tennis ball, bounced from his screen position and get a pass or deflection.

Most of the Boy Scouts’ concerns about Gard are focused on his skating and limited offensive ceilings. Despite his good figure, his acceleration is able to use some work as he can’t seem to be separated from the defender. However, this may not be a problem in the long run, considering that most of his score is done within a few feet of the goalkeeper. Tomas Holmstrom isn’t usually known for his speed or agility, but he brings together a long-term NHL career and is one of the best net upfront positions ever. Gard can shape his career as a player like this, even if his acceleration has not improved.

All in all, Gard may have been a gem of later, simply because of his figure, hockey IQ and defensive ability. Every team needs a versatile two-way forward like him to win the championship. Not everyone can be Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. You also need Sammy Pahlssons and Anthony Cirellis in the world, and Gard may become such a person in the future.

Matthew Gard – NHL draft prediction

Most media projects GARD will be selected at the end or early stage of the second round. FC Hockey is the only one who saw him staying outside. His floor (at least) is a four-tier center/winter and ceiling as a showdown center, and can score 10-15 goals, and I can’t see him falling in the middle of the third round.

quotation marks

“It’s not his talent, it’s his cap. He’s taken such a big step. He’s going to catch a lot of hockey now, and when he meets the hockey and competes for them, he’s involved in the fight. His hockey mind has developed into a 200-foot center, his figure hasn’t made his figure important, and his figure is also important. – Dave Struch, head coach of the Red Deer Rebels

“Gard brings a lot to the table: size, competition, body and defensive habits in the middle. While the offensive uplift space may not be projected to the top six, his floor is high and has a center of his frame, hockey feel and fine killing value. The development of skating and the addition of offensive Poles, he may become a reliable, game-based NHL NHL pivot.” – Neutral Zone

“Gal is a big forward and he understands how to use his biggest assets to take advantage of his strengths. He towers over defenders of most ages and takes advantage of that size to come to the front of the net – stay there – stay there. He has a hard time moving. Champions report,’ Football Hockey4/27/25)

Advantages

size
Multifunctional
Body
Professional ethics/motor
Two-way game
Hockey IQ
It’s hard to deal with before the internet

Under construction – Improvement

Skating mechanics
shooting
Limited offensive ceiling

NHL Potential

Gard has all the tools in the NHL that match the opposition’s top line and anchors the highest point fine units. From his work ethics, athletics and physical condition to hockey IQ and all-around defense, he has everything the coach wants in the bottom six forward, especially once the playoffs come.

Risk and Reward Analysis

Risk – 3/5, Reward – 4/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 6/10, Defense – 8/10