A 6-5 center from Red Deer (WHL), Gard doubled his total from 18-points in 2023-24 to 36-points (including 19 goals) in the 2024-25 season. He tallied four points in seven games in Canada’s gold medal-winning effort at the 2024-25 IIHF U18 World Championships. Gard is expected to return to Red Deer for a third WHL season, where he will rejoin Flyers fifth-round pick, Luke Vlooswyk.

Selected 57th overall, Matthew Gard is now a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Gard plays a net-driven game, finishes his checks, makes plays along the wall, and has strong hands in tight, making his profile appealing to many NHL teams. However, given his low scoring output and a straight-line style that relies on linemates to drive play, Gard’s role is more complementary. While he projects as a bottom-six forward, his skill and playmaking—particularly for his size—could give him more room to develop beyond that. –

Final Rankings – An intelligent center who did a lot of heavy lifting on the third-worst offence in the CHL. Both a physically engaged forechecker and a big forward with skill, Gard has plenty of upside.—