Exciting opportunities ahead for Gard
By DANNY RODE
Matthew Gard has a little extra incentive as the Red Deer Rebels put an end to their season this weekend.
The 17-year-old native of Winnipeg has 18 goals and would like nothing more to reach the 20-goal plateau as he continues to build his NHL Draft resume.
“I’m just trying to get as many as can … I’d be happy with 20,” he said as the Rebels, who have missed the playoffs, prepare for their final three league games.
They travel to Calgary Wednesday then also host the Hitmen Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Centrium. The final Rebels game goes Sunday at 4 p.m. in Edmonton.
Gard’s second year with the Rebels is one of his most important as he’s expected to be drafted around the third or fourth round. The 2025 NHL Draft goes June 27 and 28.
“It’s obviously an important year for me, I’m just trying to take it day-to-day, not think about the draft that much,” he said.
Elite Prospects has the six-foot-four, 195-pound forward ranked 46th overall while NHL Central Scouting has him 42nd among North American skaters. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has him 52nd, Draft Prospects 57th, Daily Faceoff 58th and Consolidated Ranking has him 66th.
“It’s hard not to look at them (rankings) but try not to think about them and try to stay within reality. Every day is a new day, and things can change for the better or change for the worse.”
Gard has a number of exciting things on the horizon including the NHL Combine and hopefully a camp invite for Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team.
“I think I have a chance for that for sure, so that would be awesome to get an opportunity to go to that.
“I am going to the combine, that’s exciting for sure.”
“Making the U18 team would be fantastic for him,” said Rebels head coach Dave Struch. “Look at where he started this season, or even finished last year, when you get these opportunities to play in certain situations you take ownership as a player, and he’s taken a lot of that on himself.”
Gard has grown as a player and has been solid down the stretch, since moving to the wing and joining veteran centre, and captain Ollie Josephson.
He notched his first career hat trick March 4 at home against Brandon, a game where 22 NHL teams had scouts in attendance, then scored twice last Saturday in a 7-3 loss to the home standing Medicine Hat Tigers and was named third star.
It was a game in which the Tigers phenom Gavin McKenna had three goals and four assists.
Gard wasn’t thinking much about being named third star.
“It is what it is, we lost that was the only thing that matters.”
He did take note of McKenna’s feat.
“Obviously he’s a very good player … very talented. It would have been nice to shut him down, but …”
Gard realizes he’s taken “a big step” from last year.
“A big leap in game play, more minutes, more confidence,” he said.
Struch agrees.
“It’s just not his talent, but his ceiling, his upside. He’s taken such a big step. He holds onto the puck a lot more now, he’s engaged in battles when he’s got the puck and competes for them. His hockey mind has developed into a 200-foot centre-winger and he’s not even grown into his body yet. His size itself is a major asset and what he’s doing with it is really important and it’s really helped him along the way.”
Struch believes he’s broadened his game, which is important as he develops for the next level.
“You don’t know if he’s going to be a winger, or centre, but even as a left winger he takes a lot of important draws for us. He’s really come a long way at centre and on the wing. We use him in both because he’s an asset for us.”
Gard indicated the team will continue to use the final games of the season to prepare for next year.
“I think we’re finding our game of late, maybe it’s at the wrong time, but it’s something to build on towards next year, just trying to get better while we’re still here.”
The Rebels would like nothing more then to spoil Calgary and Edmonton aspirations.
The Hitmen are only two points back of the Tigers for first in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference and have a game in hand.
Edmonton is seventh in the East and two back of Prince Albert and three behind Saskatoon.
“These last three games are like our playoffs games,” said Gard. “We’re always motivated to play teams in our division and spoil their goals.”
Special teams have hurt the Rebels this season as they’re last on the power play at 15.7 per cent and third last on the penalty kill.
However, the power play has been slightly better since Struch went with a five-forward system.
“It’s exciting to have five forwards out there,” said Gard, who is one of those forwards. “It’s been working better for us.”
Gard and Kalan Lind have been two of the main players with front presence.
“We switch from net front and pop out, just for more movement,” he said.
While Gard’s season isn’t over with the U18 and combine down the road, he has plans for the summer.
“I’ll try to get faster, put on some pounds and work on my shot. That’s something I can try to develop a little more,” he concluded.
NOTES – Rebels goaltender Chase Wutzke was a full participant at practice on Tuesday. It marked the first time all season the Rebels had every player on its roster available for duty … rookie netminder Peyton Shore has started eight-straight games – including four games in five nights last week – in Wutzke’s absence and has posted a 4-3-1 record … Rebels captain Ollie Josephson has set a career high with 14 goals this season and is running at a 20+ goal pace if not for missing 20 games to injuries … defenceman Doogan Pederson has a three-game point streak (1G, 3A) entering Wednesday’s game in Calgary … rookie blue liner Jake Missura has points in four of his last five games (4A) … Red Deer is 4-2 versus the Hitmen so far this season.
